Most of the staff is gone this week... toughing it out in Colorado. High Temps around 65-70, cool at night...
Here- 98 today...Humidity... hottttt.
What is wrong with picture?
Aaron, James, Mike, Ben and I deserve an award. Not sure I know what it should be...
Actually, spending a week camping with 100 teenagers, sleeping in a tent, trying to focus the kids on God is ALOT harder than it looks.
So, Jim, Jared, Joe, Tim, and Matt- work hard...and come home...
How many lives have been truly changed at Youthquake over the past 25 plus years? More than we know... it is a great opportunity... Think about it... No radio, no computer, no cellphones, no text messaging...( at least it is supposed to be that way.) I am sure some first timers don't believe that there is anywhere on earth where you don't get service... SUPRISE!!!!
Its good for all of us to disconnect and hide. When I go to Oregon and head to the coast, I will do that for a few days...
Not a bad deal at all.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Stories....
The other night I was leaving church and caught this view...I like the elements of the front... stained glass, lit at night... the Cross lifted high over the building...I think it sends a great message that we are a an alive church with a story which revolves around the cross of Jesus. ( See picture at right)
We are seeing stories of life change everywhere. One father talked to me last week about how God was really working in his life. He and his wife had "found" FCC a while back, after not being in church for decades. They began to talk to one of our guys...came to our Discovery 101 Seminar and then were baptized into Christ. Following that, their son went to camp, and he too was baptized into Christ.
This father told me that he senses God really working in their lives... they are reading a chapter of Proverbs each night as a family and then discussing it. There has been visible evidence of life change in their family. God is good.
Beyond the growth of these past few months, beyond the excitement of building, moving, and building some more ( yes I said "excitement", although at times it has been stressful.), are the stories...just like the gospels. They are a collection of stories...stories of encounters with Christ, life change, challenge, hope, faith and love. There are stories as well of disappointment, sorrow, and rejection.
We are called to tell the story of Christ. We are not called to be responsible for the results. That is God's department, because it is God's work. We just plant seeds, water where God wants us to and then we wait and see what happens.
We are seeing stories of life change everywhere. One father talked to me last week about how God was really working in his life. He and his wife had "found" FCC a while back, after not being in church for decades. They began to talk to one of our guys...came to our Discovery 101 Seminar and then were baptized into Christ. Following that, their son went to camp, and he too was baptized into Christ.
This father told me that he senses God really working in their lives... they are reading a chapter of Proverbs each night as a family and then discussing it. There has been visible evidence of life change in their family. God is good.
Beyond the growth of these past few months, beyond the excitement of building, moving, and building some more ( yes I said "excitement", although at times it has been stressful.), are the stories...just like the gospels. They are a collection of stories...stories of encounters with Christ, life change, challenge, hope, faith and love. There are stories as well of disappointment, sorrow, and rejection.
We are called to tell the story of Christ. We are not called to be responsible for the results. That is God's department, because it is God's work. We just plant seeds, water where God wants us to and then we wait and see what happens.
Monday, July 14, 2008
FIGHT NIGHT
A year ago we finished up one of our usual VBS programs. Hundreds of kids, hundreds of workers... lots of publicity in the community. It was really great. I love VBS at First Christian Church. I love its potential to reach children. I love its potential to give people a chance to serve. I love the fact that it is Bible based. It is a 17 1/2 hour summer camp for kids ( 5 days for 3 plus hours each day.)
Afterwards our Children's Minister came to me and said that his team had been working on some ideas to change VBS. That is no problem I thought. It is one of our signature events each year...but it probably needs a little sprucing up.
Well, as the details came out, we were not talking about some changes. We were talking about a complete overhaul, in every sense of the word. What the Children's Ministry team wanted to do was to kill the old style VBS and replace it with something totally different. I was less than enthusiastic. But I listened, I prayed, I asked lots of questions and I watched as the details starting coming together.
Last night we began. A big change was the fact that we were doing it in July, rather than our designated spot in June. We had that week in June reserved for years. Community people and churches stayed away from that week for their events, because they knew that the kids would be at FCC. So moving it to July was huge.
Moving it to night time was even bigger. Ours had always been a morning VBS. It had worked so well. Would evenings work? I was skeptical...but I watched and listened, prayed. I felt like it had potential.
Changing the format was even a bigger task. No longer would we have a daily craft, a music time where we taught the kids the songs for the closing program, recreation, and Bible rooms. Instead, it would take the format of a family production with lots of music, skits, a Bible story, and a challenge around the virtue of honesty.
It would take alot of technology. Alot of musical talent, alot of acting, and a huge team behind the scenes that would make things happen.
One of the aspects of the old VBS was that we had homeroom guides who spent the entire week with a group of kids... teaching them, helping them with memory work, and guiding them through the busy week. To me, it was one of the most effective parts of our VBS.
So, where were the homeroom guides this year? Here is the kicker... The homeroom guides were the PARENTS. Families came together to worship, to hear the Bible taught, and to experience the virtue first hand. And then they got to go home and talk about it.
That was the vision of Aaron and his team. He has a heart to see families worship together, and for the teaching of the Bible to be done by example and by word in the context of the family.
WELL, IT WORKED! I knew it would work when I stood outside the Worship Center and watched some families come in to FIGHT NIGHT ( FIGHT stands for Families In God Hanging Together). They were excited to be together. Moms and Dads were anticipating what was going to be done on the stage. The kids from 3 years old and up loved it.
And then to top it all off the families went into our Gathering area and did a "Craft" TOGETHER... Again, it was an awesome sight.
After the first night, the reviews are very positive. I know we will have some tweaks that need to be made... but for the first one, it was pretty great. I will let you know how the rest of the week goes...but it seems to me that we are on our way to an unqualified success. God gets the credit and glory.
But so does Aaron and His Team. His team believed in this and put the flesh to the bones as far as the plan was concerned.
But I have to say, Aaron did something pretty special. He took the vision and sold it. He sold it to me...to our staff...to our leaders... and to our church. He led me through the change, and convinced me that it was worth the risk. He also took the risk personally, because alot of this was on him.
Last night I did not hear, "Well I wish we had the old VBS back." I think for us... that day is done. We can't turn back now.
Around here, change has been pretty monumental for us for the last couple years. . We have started saying in our meetings, "This isn't Mayberry any more." Boy that is true. But the changes have been really cool. They have been effective in us helping others know, love, serve and share him. And they have helped us identify and raise up a new generation of leaders.
Best of all, they have shown us that we can change for the Gospel's sake. I can't wait to see what's next.
Good Job Aaron and James and the Children's Ministry Team...You guys are awesome.
Afterwards our Children's Minister came to me and said that his team had been working on some ideas to change VBS. That is no problem I thought. It is one of our signature events each year...but it probably needs a little sprucing up.
Well, as the details came out, we were not talking about some changes. We were talking about a complete overhaul, in every sense of the word. What the Children's Ministry team wanted to do was to kill the old style VBS and replace it with something totally different. I was less than enthusiastic. But I listened, I prayed, I asked lots of questions and I watched as the details starting coming together.
Last night we began. A big change was the fact that we were doing it in July, rather than our designated spot in June. We had that week in June reserved for years. Community people and churches stayed away from that week for their events, because they knew that the kids would be at FCC. So moving it to July was huge.
Moving it to night time was even bigger. Ours had always been a morning VBS. It had worked so well. Would evenings work? I was skeptical...but I watched and listened, prayed. I felt like it had potential.
Changing the format was even a bigger task. No longer would we have a daily craft, a music time where we taught the kids the songs for the closing program, recreation, and Bible rooms. Instead, it would take the format of a family production with lots of music, skits, a Bible story, and a challenge around the virtue of honesty.
It would take alot of technology. Alot of musical talent, alot of acting, and a huge team behind the scenes that would make things happen.
One of the aspects of the old VBS was that we had homeroom guides who spent the entire week with a group of kids... teaching them, helping them with memory work, and guiding them through the busy week. To me, it was one of the most effective parts of our VBS.
So, where were the homeroom guides this year? Here is the kicker... The homeroom guides were the PARENTS. Families came together to worship, to hear the Bible taught, and to experience the virtue first hand. And then they got to go home and talk about it.
That was the vision of Aaron and his team. He has a heart to see families worship together, and for the teaching of the Bible to be done by example and by word in the context of the family.
WELL, IT WORKED! I knew it would work when I stood outside the Worship Center and watched some families come in to FIGHT NIGHT ( FIGHT stands for Families In God Hanging Together). They were excited to be together. Moms and Dads were anticipating what was going to be done on the stage. The kids from 3 years old and up loved it.
And then to top it all off the families went into our Gathering area and did a "Craft" TOGETHER... Again, it was an awesome sight.
After the first night, the reviews are very positive. I know we will have some tweaks that need to be made... but for the first one, it was pretty great. I will let you know how the rest of the week goes...but it seems to me that we are on our way to an unqualified success. God gets the credit and glory.
But so does Aaron and His Team. His team believed in this and put the flesh to the bones as far as the plan was concerned.
But I have to say, Aaron did something pretty special. He took the vision and sold it. He sold it to me...to our staff...to our leaders... and to our church. He led me through the change, and convinced me that it was worth the risk. He also took the risk personally, because alot of this was on him.
Last night I did not hear, "Well I wish we had the old VBS back." I think for us... that day is done. We can't turn back now.
Around here, change has been pretty monumental for us for the last couple years. . We have started saying in our meetings, "This isn't Mayberry any more." Boy that is true. But the changes have been really cool. They have been effective in us helping others know, love, serve and share him. And they have helped us identify and raise up a new generation of leaders.
Best of all, they have shown us that we can change for the Gospel's sake. I can't wait to see what's next.
Good Job Aaron and James and the Children's Ministry Team...You guys are awesome.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
It just keeps getting better...
This week, news outlets reported that Bradley Fowler sued Zondervan, a Christian Publishing house. Why? He is suing because their versions of the Bible characterize homosexuality as a sin. He says that these characterizations violate his constitutional rights, and have caused him emotional pain and emotional instability. He says that Zondervan's Bibles have caused him to be an outcast in his own family and have contributed to periods of physical discomfort, and periods of demoralization, chaos, and bewilderment.
It's a 60 million dollar lawsuit.
Bradley Fowler does not concern me. His lawsuit really doesn't either. It is nothing new to see someone decide the Bible is wrong. It is no surprise that someone would file this suit...maybe its more of a surprise that someone other than Bradley Fowler didn't do this a long time ago, and make it about what it really is...$.
I am slightly more concerned that this argument will be played in the courts (someone somewhere will listen to this lawsuit).
So, if a judge says, "Bradley, you are right. That company that wrote that mean stuff about you ought to be punished, and you ought to be rich and be able to do whatever you want...( after all this is the "land of the free"), what does that really mean?
I guess we could rewrite the Bible. ( People have been trying to do that for ages.)
I guess we could throw out chunks of the Old Testament, and chunks of I Corinthians along with the Sermon on the Mount.
I guess we would have to get used to lawsuits about adultery, stealing, anger, selfishness, coarse language, ignoring the needs of the poor and on the list goes.
We could truly become the society where no one tells us what to do, where no one says, "I think you are wrong". I think we could become a place where we are truly free to harm one another, debase our own bodies, and in general live lives that are anything but honorable and moral. ( I know, who is to say that Homosexuality is immoral?)
The best thing about the lawsuit, is that Fowler went after the wrong person. I was watching some videos recently where the phrase was used, "Don't shoot the messenger." I think this is true here. If Fowler was really ticked off about this, and if Fowler really beleives he has a case, he should take it up with the author.
GOD.... He should sue God. God has deeper pockets than Zondervan. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. God is the one who wrote the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16). God is the one who set this whole thing on earth up. God is the one who looked at Adam and said "It is not good for Man to be alone." He is the one who dreamed up the physical and emotional marvel called woman and said, "You two ought to be together." He is the one who set this order in place. So if Fowler really wants to get it "right", he should go after God.
Zondervan is small potatoes here... this is too easy. Bradley, Set up an appointment with God and sit down with him and state your case. He is easy to get ahold of.
There is another way to solve his problem. Change your lifestyle. Take the Bible at face value and look at the behavior which has caused you so much grief and change. Its a decision of the will, a decision that we all have to make everyday about everything. Homosexuals do not get a free pass here. Everyone , because of sin, has things they have to work on. We,(ME TOO), have things that are not right about our behaviors. When held up in the LIGHT of God's word, they stink. God says, "make a decision to change this." God says that he will help. God says he will forgive.
That is a pretty strong offer. God's way sounds good... but maybe it is just easier to sue the publishers of the Bible.
Remember...don't shoot the messenger. Take it up with the author.
This week, news outlets reported that Bradley Fowler sued Zondervan, a Christian Publishing house. Why? He is suing because their versions of the Bible characterize homosexuality as a sin. He says that these characterizations violate his constitutional rights, and have caused him emotional pain and emotional instability. He says that Zondervan's Bibles have caused him to be an outcast in his own family and have contributed to periods of physical discomfort, and periods of demoralization, chaos, and bewilderment.
It's a 60 million dollar lawsuit.
Bradley Fowler does not concern me. His lawsuit really doesn't either. It is nothing new to see someone decide the Bible is wrong. It is no surprise that someone would file this suit...maybe its more of a surprise that someone other than Bradley Fowler didn't do this a long time ago, and make it about what it really is...$.
I am slightly more concerned that this argument will be played in the courts (someone somewhere will listen to this lawsuit).
So, if a judge says, "Bradley, you are right. That company that wrote that mean stuff about you ought to be punished, and you ought to be rich and be able to do whatever you want...( after all this is the "land of the free"), what does that really mean?
I guess we could rewrite the Bible. ( People have been trying to do that for ages.)
I guess we could throw out chunks of the Old Testament, and chunks of I Corinthians along with the Sermon on the Mount.
I guess we would have to get used to lawsuits about adultery, stealing, anger, selfishness, coarse language, ignoring the needs of the poor and on the list goes.
We could truly become the society where no one tells us what to do, where no one says, "I think you are wrong". I think we could become a place where we are truly free to harm one another, debase our own bodies, and in general live lives that are anything but honorable and moral. ( I know, who is to say that Homosexuality is immoral?)
The best thing about the lawsuit, is that Fowler went after the wrong person. I was watching some videos recently where the phrase was used, "Don't shoot the messenger." I think this is true here. If Fowler was really ticked off about this, and if Fowler really beleives he has a case, he should take it up with the author.
GOD.... He should sue God. God has deeper pockets than Zondervan. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. God is the one who wrote the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16). God is the one who set this whole thing on earth up. God is the one who looked at Adam and said "It is not good for Man to be alone." He is the one who dreamed up the physical and emotional marvel called woman and said, "You two ought to be together." He is the one who set this order in place. So if Fowler really wants to get it "right", he should go after God.
Zondervan is small potatoes here... this is too easy. Bradley, Set up an appointment with God and sit down with him and state your case. He is easy to get ahold of.
There is another way to solve his problem. Change your lifestyle. Take the Bible at face value and look at the behavior which has caused you so much grief and change. Its a decision of the will, a decision that we all have to make everyday about everything. Homosexuals do not get a free pass here. Everyone , because of sin, has things they have to work on. We,(ME TOO), have things that are not right about our behaviors. When held up in the LIGHT of God's word, they stink. God says, "make a decision to change this." God says that he will help. God says he will forgive.
That is a pretty strong offer. God's way sounds good... but maybe it is just easier to sue the publishers of the Bible.
Remember...don't shoot the messenger. Take it up with the author.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Weathermen
I love living in Oklahoma! We have four seasons. They can be extreme...ice storms in the winter.... long dry, hot spells in the summer. Fall is the best. Cool nights, warm days...occassional thunderstorms. Spring is okay, except that the wind blows and blows. It is not my favorite.
Today, It has rained all morning. I love these days in the middle of July. Cool, wet, no wind... just a needed reprieve from 80% humidity and 95 degree temps.
I am glad I am not a weatherman. The people hate you when you get it wrong. They hate you when the forecast does not fit their activity or schedule. And they hate you when you have to break into a golf tournament or NBA Finals game to tell you that there is a tornado out in some pasture in Osage county.
I am not saying I don't have those feeling about weathermen. I probably do. I am just glad that I am not one of them.
Rather than forecasting, I think I will enjoy the weather.
Today, It has rained all morning. I love these days in the middle of July. Cool, wet, no wind... just a needed reprieve from 80% humidity and 95 degree temps.
I am glad I am not a weatherman. The people hate you when you get it wrong. They hate you when the forecast does not fit their activity or schedule. And they hate you when you have to break into a golf tournament or NBA Finals game to tell you that there is a tornado out in some pasture in Osage county.
I am not saying I don't have those feeling about weathermen. I probably do. I am just glad that I am not one of them.
Rather than forecasting, I think I will enjoy the weather.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Life and Death, Newborns and Born Again
Yesterday was one of those days... 4th of July weekend..attendance down a bit...I labored through the sermon in both services. (Some days are like that). Maybe it was the combination of the 4th and a sermon on $. I was kind of tired and worn down.
There was bad news about a 21 year old member of the church being killed in a boating accident on the 4th. The news was sketchy, so I said nothing...just a prayer for his mom, who had lost her husband 6 years ago to cancer. Later in the day I went to see her. Her first words were so raw. Its tough to lose a husband. It is double tough to lose a son. Wow...Funeral is Wednesday. What do you say? I am not sure, but it is on my mind alot right now. God will give me something.
Mix that with the story of a woman who has recently accepted Christ. She , her husband and I had a lengthy conversation after church. She needed a church. She was invited to a different church, but her husband asked his small group of friends about a church. The interesting thing is that he was in Bagdad Iraq, and one of the guys is an elder of our church. David got on the phone, contacted his wife who talked to this lady... Well.. what a cool thing it was Sunday. He is on leave for two weeks... He said, "The most important thing in my life is seeing her make this decision." This Sunday she will be baptized.
Mix all that with the fact that Grace, Lizzie and Nathaniel were here. Great times having a baby in the house. She is so sweet... Liz and Nathaniel are so good with her.
It all gets me to thinking... Life and Death...New-borns and born-again...there is a cycle, a process...all of which leads to the same thing...a day when we decide to look beyond this life into the next. We have to decide. And we don't know when that last day will come.
It's called "paying attention" to the really important things. Life and Death, New-borns and born again.
more later
There was bad news about a 21 year old member of the church being killed in a boating accident on the 4th. The news was sketchy, so I said nothing...just a prayer for his mom, who had lost her husband 6 years ago to cancer. Later in the day I went to see her. Her first words were so raw. Its tough to lose a husband. It is double tough to lose a son. Wow...Funeral is Wednesday. What do you say? I am not sure, but it is on my mind alot right now. God will give me something.
Mix that with the story of a woman who has recently accepted Christ. She , her husband and I had a lengthy conversation after church. She needed a church. She was invited to a different church, but her husband asked his small group of friends about a church. The interesting thing is that he was in Bagdad Iraq, and one of the guys is an elder of our church. David got on the phone, contacted his wife who talked to this lady... Well.. what a cool thing it was Sunday. He is on leave for two weeks... He said, "The most important thing in my life is seeing her make this decision." This Sunday she will be baptized.
Mix all that with the fact that Grace, Lizzie and Nathaniel were here. Great times having a baby in the house. She is so sweet... Liz and Nathaniel are so good with her.
It all gets me to thinking... Life and Death...New-borns and born-again...there is a cycle, a process...all of which leads to the same thing...a day when we decide to look beyond this life into the next. We have to decide. And we don't know when that last day will come.
It's called "paying attention" to the really important things. Life and Death, New-borns and born again.
more later
Friday, July 04, 2008
Birthday thoughts...
4th of July.... What does it mean to you?
Today at lunch I attended a "indoor" picnic at church. About 50 Senior Adults, and some that were not so "senior" gathered together to each picnic food and to hear from Chris Benge, who is the Speaker of the House in Oklahoma. He did a good job of talking about his responsibilities, and then giving some thoughts about "What is right with America." It was nice to hear someone talk positively about our country.
After being in Israel last spring, I have come to appreciate the freedom of our country even more. While driving through the central part of Israel, we crossed into Jordan. That was not a huge deal, because we were just driving through, but it is a little unnerving to drive through a check point and see millitary personell with machine guns standing there.
After this weeks terrorist attach on Jaffa Street in Jersualem, ( a Palestinian got ahold of a front end loader and ran into cars and busses, killing 3, before he was shot to death by Israeli millitary), I thought about how safe we really are in America. It is amazing how we can come and go with little fear.
The rescue of the hostages (including 2 Americans) in Columbia brought this home even more. Some of those people had been hostages for 10 years! They were held in deplorable and inhuman condiitons. The woman in the groups said that the treatment they recieved was not fit for an animal or even a plant!
Again, we have very little fear of that happening to us here.
These and other examples demonstrate what an amazing country we live in. Speaker of the House Benge said that the establishment of this "representative republic" is the greatest experiment in human history. I think politically this is true.
However, we have to acknowledge that this "experiment" is only 232 years old. That is not all that old as countries go. We would do well to learn more from the mistakes of nations gone by to see what it is that led to their downfall. When you think that humankind is no more than 6,000 yeers old , 232 years is not that long.
This morning, as I sat in my nice home, in the middle of the USA , I looked into the eyes of baby Grace. I wondered what kind of world she would live in 18 years. What would be the headlines? What will the price of a gallon of gasoline cost? Who will be the President of the United States be? What will be the influence of Hollywood, media, and technology?
I can't answer those questions with any certainty. But I look at her and I know one thing. There is a God... He loves that little girl more than any of us could. He sent Jesus to save her from her sins...and she lives in the greatest land in the world. How can anyone look at a little baby like this and not see God?
All of that is a pretty good start on a pretty good life. And with how things are changing around us... God is the one she can hang on to, no matter how rough the ride gets.
Good thoughts for all of us.
Happy Birthday America!
Today at lunch I attended a "indoor" picnic at church. About 50 Senior Adults, and some that were not so "senior" gathered together to each picnic food and to hear from Chris Benge, who is the Speaker of the House in Oklahoma. He did a good job of talking about his responsibilities, and then giving some thoughts about "What is right with America." It was nice to hear someone talk positively about our country.
After being in Israel last spring, I have come to appreciate the freedom of our country even more. While driving through the central part of Israel, we crossed into Jordan. That was not a huge deal, because we were just driving through, but it is a little unnerving to drive through a check point and see millitary personell with machine guns standing there.
After this weeks terrorist attach on Jaffa Street in Jersualem, ( a Palestinian got ahold of a front end loader and ran into cars and busses, killing 3, before he was shot to death by Israeli millitary), I thought about how safe we really are in America. It is amazing how we can come and go with little fear.
The rescue of the hostages (including 2 Americans) in Columbia brought this home even more. Some of those people had been hostages for 10 years! They were held in deplorable and inhuman condiitons. The woman in the groups said that the treatment they recieved was not fit for an animal or even a plant!
Again, we have very little fear of that happening to us here.
These and other examples demonstrate what an amazing country we live in. Speaker of the House Benge said that the establishment of this "representative republic" is the greatest experiment in human history. I think politically this is true.
However, we have to acknowledge that this "experiment" is only 232 years old. That is not all that old as countries go. We would do well to learn more from the mistakes of nations gone by to see what it is that led to their downfall. When you think that humankind is no more than 6,000 yeers old , 232 years is not that long.
This morning, as I sat in my nice home, in the middle of the USA , I looked into the eyes of baby Grace. I wondered what kind of world she would live in 18 years. What would be the headlines? What will the price of a gallon of gasoline cost? Who will be the President of the United States be? What will be the influence of Hollywood, media, and technology?
I can't answer those questions with any certainty. But I look at her and I know one thing. There is a God... He loves that little girl more than any of us could. He sent Jesus to save her from her sins...and she lives in the greatest land in the world. How can anyone look at a little baby like this and not see God?
All of that is a pretty good start on a pretty good life. And with how things are changing around us... God is the one she can hang on to, no matter how rough the ride gets.
Good thoughts for all of us.
Happy Birthday America!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Hmmmmmmnnnnnn.....
Some things about this-n-that...
This summer our church has been reading a chapter a day of the book of Proverbs. For the last 5 weeks we have looked at different topics, such as words, anger, and wisdom. The response from the church has been extremely positive. I know these messages hit me where I am at right now... and it seems like the same can be said of many who attend the church. Today, we began our second round through the book. I think this is a great exercise...a chapter a day is a good start toward a life long habit. So, this month the topics from Proverbs are ......(drum roll please)..... Money, Generosity, Laziness and Lust. Quite a line up huh? We are taking this journey through Proverbs till the end of August.
This weekend is a holiday weekend.. 4th of July. AAA says people are staying home more, not going on the long trips because of Gas prices. So I was wondering... does that improve church attendance in the summer? Hard to say I suppose. Our attendance is up, but that may be more due to our "spurt" this spring. We are maintaining our constant flow of visitors each week, which is encouraging.
I just finished another article for a Christian magazine. I enjoy writing. Its the editing that wears me out. I have lots of help. Jeanna Harris, Helen and Jerry Whited and Pam have taken a look at it. It's a challenge to write, re-write, submit to friends, then re-write again....but when you feel good about it and put it in the envelope, there is good sense of accomplishment. I think writing a whole book would be amazing.I have an idea for a book, and a couple chapters along with an introduction written. But there is no telling how long that will take.
Adding to my list of new experiences... I had an interesting experience in the hospital a few weeks ago...It was a funny deal, and after getting permission from the person involved, I submitted it to "All in a Day's Work" in Reader's Digest. I did it on-line, and then got this note back. It said, "Thanks for your submission. We will let you know if we decide to use it." Not exactly personal, but it fullfilled my need to know if they really got it or if it was floating around there in cyber-space somewhere. Want to know what it was.... Well, you will have to wait to see if they use it. I don't want to spoil the surprise.
Speaking of long holiday weekend, Grace makes her road trip debut this weekend with a jaunt to Owasso. I can't wait to see her (and Nathaniel and Lizzie). I haven't seen her since she was born! So she is nearly 3 weeks old now... Should be a fun weekend for all of us.
Hope to pick up a couple pictures of Grace, which I will post next week.
This summer our church has been reading a chapter a day of the book of Proverbs. For the last 5 weeks we have looked at different topics, such as words, anger, and wisdom. The response from the church has been extremely positive. I know these messages hit me where I am at right now... and it seems like the same can be said of many who attend the church. Today, we began our second round through the book. I think this is a great exercise...a chapter a day is a good start toward a life long habit. So, this month the topics from Proverbs are ......(drum roll please)..... Money, Generosity, Laziness and Lust. Quite a line up huh? We are taking this journey through Proverbs till the end of August.
This weekend is a holiday weekend.. 4th of July. AAA says people are staying home more, not going on the long trips because of Gas prices. So I was wondering... does that improve church attendance in the summer? Hard to say I suppose. Our attendance is up, but that may be more due to our "spurt" this spring. We are maintaining our constant flow of visitors each week, which is encouraging.
I just finished another article for a Christian magazine. I enjoy writing. Its the editing that wears me out. I have lots of help. Jeanna Harris, Helen and Jerry Whited and Pam have taken a look at it. It's a challenge to write, re-write, submit to friends, then re-write again....but when you feel good about it and put it in the envelope, there is good sense of accomplishment. I think writing a whole book would be amazing.I have an idea for a book, and a couple chapters along with an introduction written. But there is no telling how long that will take.
Adding to my list of new experiences... I had an interesting experience in the hospital a few weeks ago...It was a funny deal, and after getting permission from the person involved, I submitted it to "All in a Day's Work" in Reader's Digest. I did it on-line, and then got this note back. It said, "Thanks for your submission. We will let you know if we decide to use it." Not exactly personal, but it fullfilled my need to know if they really got it or if it was floating around there in cyber-space somewhere. Want to know what it was.... Well, you will have to wait to see if they use it. I don't want to spoil the surprise.
Speaking of long holiday weekend, Grace makes her road trip debut this weekend with a jaunt to Owasso. I can't wait to see her (and Nathaniel and Lizzie). I haven't seen her since she was born! So she is nearly 3 weeks old now... Should be a fun weekend for all of us.
Hope to pick up a couple pictures of Grace, which I will post next week.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Be careful what you ask for...
I have been spending the last few weeks reading through some OT books. I am loving the process of reading through Proverbs every day.
I also am spending some time in I Samuel. I Samuel is really the story of Saul, the first king of Israel. As you read through the first few chapters of the book, you see a people who were bent on worshiping God when it was convienent. But as soon as things were good, they were on their own and God was in the corner. They spent decades under the thumb of the Phillistines and when they finally repented (chapter 7), God rescued them. He defeated the Phillistines and the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Israel.
Then Israel reverts to thier old ways. Instead of trusting God and believing that God would protect and bless them they decided they wanted to be like all the other nations and have their own king.(I Sam 8:6).
Why did they want this? Well, on the surface it looks like it was because Samuel's successors (his sons), were perveted and dishonest (vs. 3). But in reality it was deeper than that. They wanted to be like everyone else. I Sam 8:20 says, "Then we will be like all the other nations.. with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
God warned them... He told them that the King would draft their boys and girls, he would tax them to the gills, and eventually the people would cry out to God for relief (vs. 18). But they still wanted a king. They wanted something different than what they had. They wanted what everyone else had.
Sometimes what you have is exactly what you need. Not all the time, but sometimes. I don't think that "more of the same" is neccesarily best. But I am not sure that all this trumpeting about "change" is healthy either. We are in the middle of the longest and most costly poltical season in our nations history. Candidates for President are over working the "change" theme. Everything is about change. They come in with new programs, new ideas, new ways of getting to the same place. Candidates and their wives are on news shows, variety shows, late night TV shows,and even afternoon talk shows. All of them are trumpeting change.
I think also country would do very well to "be careful what we ask for." We just might get it.... change. But change to what? "Change agents" throw around how they want to change things, but do not say exactly what it is, or how much it will cost, or how we will pay for it. I fear that in 4 or 8 years we will be looking for a new candidate of "change". The difference will be that he/she will have to clean up the mess from the this last round of change.
It is a critical time in our country. I wish we could have educated debate on where we need to go. And if I could ask for one thing, it would be that we would have candidates and campaigns that would sincerely look to God for wisdom. Maybe the place to star would be with Proverbs...( full circle there).
Read through 1st Samuel... You will notice that the predictions and warnings of God came true. Its the same today for all of us... God knows...
I also am spending some time in I Samuel. I Samuel is really the story of Saul, the first king of Israel. As you read through the first few chapters of the book, you see a people who were bent on worshiping God when it was convienent. But as soon as things were good, they were on their own and God was in the corner. They spent decades under the thumb of the Phillistines and when they finally repented (chapter 7), God rescued them. He defeated the Phillistines and the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Israel.
Then Israel reverts to thier old ways. Instead of trusting God and believing that God would protect and bless them they decided they wanted to be like all the other nations and have their own king.(I Sam 8:6).
Why did they want this? Well, on the surface it looks like it was because Samuel's successors (his sons), were perveted and dishonest (vs. 3). But in reality it was deeper than that. They wanted to be like everyone else. I Sam 8:20 says, "Then we will be like all the other nations.. with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
God warned them... He told them that the King would draft their boys and girls, he would tax them to the gills, and eventually the people would cry out to God for relief (vs. 18). But they still wanted a king. They wanted something different than what they had. They wanted what everyone else had.
Sometimes what you have is exactly what you need. Not all the time, but sometimes. I don't think that "more of the same" is neccesarily best. But I am not sure that all this trumpeting about "change" is healthy either. We are in the middle of the longest and most costly poltical season in our nations history. Candidates for President are over working the "change" theme. Everything is about change. They come in with new programs, new ideas, new ways of getting to the same place. Candidates and their wives are on news shows, variety shows, late night TV shows,and even afternoon talk shows. All of them are trumpeting change.
I think also country would do very well to "be careful what we ask for." We just might get it.... change. But change to what? "Change agents" throw around how they want to change things, but do not say exactly what it is, or how much it will cost, or how we will pay for it. I fear that in 4 or 8 years we will be looking for a new candidate of "change". The difference will be that he/she will have to clean up the mess from the this last round of change.
It is a critical time in our country. I wish we could have educated debate on where we need to go. And if I could ask for one thing, it would be that we would have candidates and campaigns that would sincerely look to God for wisdom. Maybe the place to star would be with Proverbs...( full circle there).
Read through 1st Samuel... You will notice that the predictions and warnings of God came true. Its the same today for all of us... God knows...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thinking Fathers...
When I think about this Father's Day....
I will think about my son-in-law Nathaniel. Two days before Father's Day 08, he became a father to little Grace.
I will think about a conversation I had with Joel last night. It was cool to hear the excitement in his voice as he talked about some positive developments at work. He's a man now...making his way in the world..I am proud of him.
I will think about the memorial service for Tim Russert. I watched part of it today and marveled at how his 22 year old son Luke, could play such a large part in eulogizing his father. You don't get that in the four days after your dad dies suddenly. You get that by being mentored by a great father.
I will think about a moment on Monday after Tiger won the US Open in a playoff, when he took his little girl in his arms and kissed her. When mom took her back, little Sam protested, and in an instant she was back in Dad's arms.
I will think about my three girls and how they have turned out to be wonderful, responsible and caring young ladies.
I will think how there's now way I get to be the father of all four, without their mother...who is the best thing to happen to me everyday.
I will think about my father who worked so hard for so many years, and who has managed to make retirement look good for anyone who works too much.
I will think about a father from the Bible named Jarius, who would stop at nothing to help his dying daughter. ( Mark 5)
I will think about the blessing my heavenly Father is to me. After all, the most difficult thing a Father could ever do is to "give up" His Son for me.
I will think about my son-in-law Nathaniel. Two days before Father's Day 08, he became a father to little Grace.
I will think about a conversation I had with Joel last night. It was cool to hear the excitement in his voice as he talked about some positive developments at work. He's a man now...making his way in the world..I am proud of him.
I will think about the memorial service for Tim Russert. I watched part of it today and marveled at how his 22 year old son Luke, could play such a large part in eulogizing his father. You don't get that in the four days after your dad dies suddenly. You get that by being mentored by a great father.
I will think about a moment on Monday after Tiger won the US Open in a playoff, when he took his little girl in his arms and kissed her. When mom took her back, little Sam protested, and in an instant she was back in Dad's arms.
I will think about my three girls and how they have turned out to be wonderful, responsible and caring young ladies.
I will think how there's now way I get to be the father of all four, without their mother...who is the best thing to happen to me everyday.
I will think about my father who worked so hard for so many years, and who has managed to make retirement look good for anyone who works too much.
I will think about a father from the Bible named Jarius, who would stop at nothing to help his dying daughter. ( Mark 5)
I will think about the blessing my heavenly Father is to me. After all, the most difficult thing a Father could ever do is to "give up" His Son for me.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Preaching
Our summer series this year is "Wise Words for not so wise people." I think we all need a heavy dose of wisdom... and Proverbs certainly is a great book to learn from.
So far,I have recieved alot of very positive comments. This book and the messages seem to resonate with people...
Planning preaching takes alot of time, prayer, thought and conversation. The fact is that I am not one of those guys that can wake up every Monday and say, "I wonder what I should preach about this week?" If I did that, I would not last 3 weeks. Some guys can do that... Other guys take chunks of time off in the summer, go away for 3-4 weeks and work up a full years sermon titles and texts. For me, things slow down enough around here that I can give more time in my daily schedule to this. I have found it is better for me to bite it off in chunks , rather than trying to plan for a full year all at once.
So I plan 6-8 months in advance. That way I have a good idea of where I need to go. I am reading for messages that are in Nov. and Dec. right now. And I read for stories and illustrations in newspapers and the net with an eye toward what I am preaching about in the coming weeks and months.
Right now I am planned through about Feb. of 09. That doesn't mean that I can't change. And certainly it is all really up to God and His leading. There are times I plan, and it does get changed. I am good with that...
Sooooo... I was thinking... If you go to FCC what things or topics would you like to hear about? Do you have a particular subject, or passage that you would like to hear more about and learn from? Is there a concern or a need that you would to hear more about what the Word of God says?
I have some ideas for next spring and summer, but I welcome the input.
By the way, if you don't attend FCC, send some ideas of what you would like your preacher to address. It may not fit for us, but you never know, it might spark something in my spirit... which I can pray about and see how God leads.
Thanks.
So far,I have recieved alot of very positive comments. This book and the messages seem to resonate with people...
Planning preaching takes alot of time, prayer, thought and conversation. The fact is that I am not one of those guys that can wake up every Monday and say, "I wonder what I should preach about this week?" If I did that, I would not last 3 weeks. Some guys can do that... Other guys take chunks of time off in the summer, go away for 3-4 weeks and work up a full years sermon titles and texts. For me, things slow down enough around here that I can give more time in my daily schedule to this. I have found it is better for me to bite it off in chunks , rather than trying to plan for a full year all at once.
So I plan 6-8 months in advance. That way I have a good idea of where I need to go. I am reading for messages that are in Nov. and Dec. right now. And I read for stories and illustrations in newspapers and the net with an eye toward what I am preaching about in the coming weeks and months.
Right now I am planned through about Feb. of 09. That doesn't mean that I can't change. And certainly it is all really up to God and His leading. There are times I plan, and it does get changed. I am good with that...
Sooooo... I was thinking... If you go to FCC what things or topics would you like to hear about? Do you have a particular subject, or passage that you would like to hear more about and learn from? Is there a concern or a need that you would to hear more about what the Word of God says?
I have some ideas for next spring and summer, but I welcome the input.
By the way, if you don't attend FCC, send some ideas of what you would like your preacher to address. It may not fit for us, but you never know, it might spark something in my spirit... which I can pray about and see how God leads.
Thanks.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Life and Death....It's real
Tim Russert's death hit alot of people hard. It seems (at least from a distance), that he was a really great guy. I didn't watch "Meet the Press" much, because I am usually pretty busy on Sunday Mornings. But his political anaylsis, especially during the election years was always brilliant... and easy to understand. He was truly an "everyman" kind of guy.
I have been interested in hearing alot of the comments about Him. I am listening to his doctor right now. The statement, "We all struggle with the limits of what we can do." He is right.Great doctors are still limited. The fact is that God is the one who is the giver of life. Great doctors, medicine and lifestyle adjustments are all good. But the reality is that we all will die.
Soooooo.... we need to look beyond this life. We need to be ready for eternity. There is only one way to do that, and that is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. No one else offers what Christ offers. He offers life eternal. He offers a way to have our sins washed away through his blood.
I did DVR "Meet the Press" from yesterday. Tom Brokaw and Russert's collegues all talked extensively about one characteristic that he had. He was prepared. He was offended when politcal figures came into Meet the Press unprepared. ( David Dukes for instance.) Over and over they talked about how prepared Russert was for any one that came in and sat across from him.
My hope is that he was just as prepared to stand before God. Last Friday was his day. That is how it works some times. It is a surprise. Statistical information says that 400,000 Americans die of sudden cardiac arrests. We have to be ready.
On another note, Baby Grace is now 4 days old! Lizzie and Grace came home Sunday... everything is good. Pam is staying there with them. That has got to be great fun for her too... I think this must be one of the sweet payoff's for having girls ( for a mom). Thanks for your prayers for them both.
I have been interested in hearing alot of the comments about Him. I am listening to his doctor right now. The statement, "We all struggle with the limits of what we can do." He is right.Great doctors are still limited. The fact is that God is the one who is the giver of life. Great doctors, medicine and lifestyle adjustments are all good. But the reality is that we all will die.
Soooooo.... we need to look beyond this life. We need to be ready for eternity. There is only one way to do that, and that is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. No one else offers what Christ offers. He offers life eternal. He offers a way to have our sins washed away through his blood.
I did DVR "Meet the Press" from yesterday. Tom Brokaw and Russert's collegues all talked extensively about one characteristic that he had. He was prepared. He was offended when politcal figures came into Meet the Press unprepared. ( David Dukes for instance.) Over and over they talked about how prepared Russert was for any one that came in and sat across from him.
My hope is that he was just as prepared to stand before God. Last Friday was his day. That is how it works some times. It is a surprise. Statistical information says that 400,000 Americans die of sudden cardiac arrests. We have to be ready.
On another note, Baby Grace is now 4 days old! Lizzie and Grace came home Sunday... everything is good. Pam is staying there with them. That has got to be great fun for her too... I think this must be one of the sweet payoff's for having girls ( for a mom). Thanks for your prayers for them both.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Grace
Grace Capri Smith was born at 5:54 PM on Jul 13, 2008. Her vital statistics are 8lbs, 9 oz. 20.5 in long. Everything is great for her, Mom and dad are great too. So are the grandparents...
Psalm 139:13-18
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
am still with you.
Psalm 139:13-18
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
am still with you.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Ramdom thoughts about modern Jewish History ( Holocaust)
One of the strongest impressions that Jews try to make when a person comes to thier country is the history of persecution and hatred that they have had to endure over the generations. It was said that the walls of Jerusalem were built and rebuilt over some 17 times over the years. Invading armies would come in and destroy the walls, then rebuild the walls to their liking , and the cycle would start over again. Whether it was the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Turks, the Greeks, or the Romans, it seems like there was great pride and millitary strategy in destroying the walls around the city.
For the better part of one day on our tour we spent time at what is called YAD VASHIM, which is the National Musuem of Holocaust History in Jersualem. I am ashamed to say that I have not given this alot of thought...in part because I was born in 1958, decades after this terrible time for Jews. (That is an understatement.)
But going through the museum was a very emotional thing to do. To look at the depth of pain that the Jews throughout the world experienced as a result of Hitler and his atrocities was almost too much at times.
The new musuem was recently completed. Beyond the other memorials at the site, this museum included history of how the world stood by for years while Hitler strategized to destroy the Jews. We were given 2 hours to walk through it. We could have used 12-14 hours easily to read all the exhibits,view the films and to reflect on how our world got to the place where it could allow some 6 million people to be interned in death camps and then murdered. Men, women and children murdered. To look into their faces as they were herded into cattle cars was almost too much. Too know that they were told that they were being taken to work camps, when in fact they were being taken to camps with gas chambers, firing squads or to places where they would be left to freeze to death, was almost too much.
To learn more about how the world had ample warning that Hitler was up to something and did nothing was frightening. Are we that wrapped up in ourselves that we would just not pay attention
This has given me pause when I think about some of the things going on in the world. AIDS, starvation, ethnic cleansing, civil strife in countries around the world, all of those things are a result of the sinfulness of man and the product of a world that God did not intend to be.
I don't pretend to understand the World political situation. But it was Winston Churchill said, " Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
I can only imagine how hard it is to think about that time in Jewish history. Every school child is taken to the memorial. Millitary recruits are taken there. By the way millitary service is compulsory in Israel. (Two year committment in either the millitary or in some sort of national community service.)
German essayist Kurt Tucholsky said, "A country is not what it does, but what it tolerates." Can you see the application to our culture and world today?
Since "toleration" is the virture of the new millenium, we have alot to consider. To me, major concern should be given to world leaders who refuse to acknowledge the right of the Jewish state to exist. God told Abraham in Gensis 12 that he would "bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." From that day on, there was a promise to the descendants of Abraham which God has said he would keep.
History has proved this to be true. Go through the list of conquerors of Israel. Short-lived victories were replaced by the renewal and rebirth of the nation of Israel. The Eygptians,the Canaanites, the Philistines, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Turks, all of them are gone. Israel is still here.
Iran says they will attempt to do the same...they will lose too. They would do well to learn from history.
Bottom line, the history of the Holocaust was not something I had thought about as I contemplated this trip. But I am very thankful that we went there. And I look forward
to doing more reading about this.
For the better part of one day on our tour we spent time at what is called YAD VASHIM, which is the National Musuem of Holocaust History in Jersualem. I am ashamed to say that I have not given this alot of thought...in part because I was born in 1958, decades after this terrible time for Jews. (That is an understatement.)
But going through the museum was a very emotional thing to do. To look at the depth of pain that the Jews throughout the world experienced as a result of Hitler and his atrocities was almost too much at times.
The new musuem was recently completed. Beyond the other memorials at the site, this museum included history of how the world stood by for years while Hitler strategized to destroy the Jews. We were given 2 hours to walk through it. We could have used 12-14 hours easily to read all the exhibits,view the films and to reflect on how our world got to the place where it could allow some 6 million people to be interned in death camps and then murdered. Men, women and children murdered. To look into their faces as they were herded into cattle cars was almost too much. Too know that they were told that they were being taken to work camps, when in fact they were being taken to camps with gas chambers, firing squads or to places where they would be left to freeze to death, was almost too much.
To learn more about how the world had ample warning that Hitler was up to something and did nothing was frightening. Are we that wrapped up in ourselves that we would just not pay attention
This has given me pause when I think about some of the things going on in the world. AIDS, starvation, ethnic cleansing, civil strife in countries around the world, all of those things are a result of the sinfulness of man and the product of a world that God did not intend to be.
I don't pretend to understand the World political situation. But it was Winston Churchill said, " Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
I can only imagine how hard it is to think about that time in Jewish history. Every school child is taken to the memorial. Millitary recruits are taken there. By the way millitary service is compulsory in Israel. (Two year committment in either the millitary or in some sort of national community service.)
German essayist Kurt Tucholsky said, "A country is not what it does, but what it tolerates." Can you see the application to our culture and world today?
Since "toleration" is the virture of the new millenium, we have alot to consider. To me, major concern should be given to world leaders who refuse to acknowledge the right of the Jewish state to exist. God told Abraham in Gensis 12 that he would "bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." From that day on, there was a promise to the descendants of Abraham which God has said he would keep.
History has proved this to be true. Go through the list of conquerors of Israel. Short-lived victories were replaced by the renewal and rebirth of the nation of Israel. The Eygptians,the Canaanites, the Philistines, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Turks, all of them are gone. Israel is still here.
Iran says they will attempt to do the same...they will lose too. They would do well to learn from history.
Bottom line, the history of the Holocaust was not something I had thought about as I contemplated this trip. But I am very thankful that we went there. And I look forward
to doing more reading about this.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
The Temple Mount
Observations about Jews and Christians... per lizzie's request... I think it is hard for Jewish people to distinguish the difference between Christians and Americans. This is not alot unlike our own culture where so many people think, "Well I must be Christian, because I was born in American." Of course we know that is not true.
But in Israel, the same is true. While people may claim to be Jewish by "race," they seem to have some sort of thought that because they are living in Israel then they are part of God's chosen people
Our study in Romans pointed out that a Jew is a Jew because he one inwardly in God's sight. Same thing with Christians. Its a heart thing, not a location deal.
For the Jewish people we encountered along the way, they view Christians as well meaning people who love God. And they expect that we would afford them the same thought. I heard many times, "We are all part of the same family." Or "We believe in the same God." But try to take the conversation to Jesus and there is a decided difference in tone and receptivity.
Part of my view of Jewish people is a bit colored because they are so dependent on the USA for their protection. The fact is that if we do not stand up for them, no one will. It is an awesome responsibility. So when we bought things from them, they were grateful. They thanked us over and over for coming to their country, and reminded us how much they depend on America.
Back to the tour... One hot afternoon, we gathered together on the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount. 300 of us make quite a spectacle. We found some shade and had our teaching time from Kay Arthur. But what struck me was that we sat there, being taught from the Word of God, being taught about Jesus Christ, right under the dome of the El-Asqua Mosque. We are told that what we were doing was under the watchful eye of the Muslims. But we sang some great worship songs, and studied anyway. I really liked that.
Later in the week, we went up on the Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock ( the golden one in all the pictures) is amazing. But what really caught my attention was the fact that Muslims watched your every move. They demanded that you not express any physical affection with a person of the opposite sex, and that you do not engage in laughter or any other "frivolity". Just to get on the Temple Mount is a hassle. You have to go through security, including metal detectors, they check your bags, etc. The security is all under Jewish control, because part of the agreement with the Jordanians (after the 6 day war in 1967) was that the Temple Mount would remain Muslim, but the Israelis would maintain control and security. Another example of "peacful co-existence." Lots of guns and security there.
Then you have to go up this long "boardwalk" kind of thing which is very rickety. Kind of creepy really...not safe and the City inspectors are all over the Muslims to get it together and get a safe ramp up the Temple Mount. Once you cross into the Temple Mount area, you are under the scrutiny of the Muslims... They are looking you over top to bottom. Do not hold hands, do not touch a woman, wear "holy clothes" ( men wear slacks and women must have their shoulders covered...no cleavage or anything like that.)
Interstingly enough , our guide, Kenny, was a bit nervous on the Mount. He is a Jewish man, and said that on more than one occassion he had been escorted off the Temple Mount by Muslim authorities. So we kept moving, he told stories without his usuall dramatic flair... Our Bus guide, Bob, was even more uncomfortable and kept things moving too... You just got the feeling that you were being watched.
One last thing about this. When we got up on the Temple Mount , we were besieged by young boys "selling" postcards which contained interior pictures of the Mosque athe Dome of the Rock. They were pretty agressive. Eventually, after most of us had bought a pack of postcards for $1, they were shooed away.
Captitalism still reigns, even on a Muslim Holy Site.
But in Israel, the same is true. While people may claim to be Jewish by "race," they seem to have some sort of thought that because they are living in Israel then they are part of God's chosen people
Our study in Romans pointed out that a Jew is a Jew because he one inwardly in God's sight. Same thing with Christians. Its a heart thing, not a location deal.
For the Jewish people we encountered along the way, they view Christians as well meaning people who love God. And they expect that we would afford them the same thought. I heard many times, "We are all part of the same family." Or "We believe in the same God." But try to take the conversation to Jesus and there is a decided difference in tone and receptivity.
Part of my view of Jewish people is a bit colored because they are so dependent on the USA for their protection. The fact is that if we do not stand up for them, no one will. It is an awesome responsibility. So when we bought things from them, they were grateful. They thanked us over and over for coming to their country, and reminded us how much they depend on America.
Back to the tour... One hot afternoon, we gathered together on the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount. 300 of us make quite a spectacle. We found some shade and had our teaching time from Kay Arthur. But what struck me was that we sat there, being taught from the Word of God, being taught about Jesus Christ, right under the dome of the El-Asqua Mosque. We are told that what we were doing was under the watchful eye of the Muslims. But we sang some great worship songs, and studied anyway. I really liked that.
Later in the week, we went up on the Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock ( the golden one in all the pictures) is amazing. But what really caught my attention was the fact that Muslims watched your every move. They demanded that you not express any physical affection with a person of the opposite sex, and that you do not engage in laughter or any other "frivolity". Just to get on the Temple Mount is a hassle. You have to go through security, including metal detectors, they check your bags, etc. The security is all under Jewish control, because part of the agreement with the Jordanians (after the 6 day war in 1967) was that the Temple Mount would remain Muslim, but the Israelis would maintain control and security. Another example of "peacful co-existence." Lots of guns and security there.
Then you have to go up this long "boardwalk" kind of thing which is very rickety. Kind of creepy really...not safe and the City inspectors are all over the Muslims to get it together and get a safe ramp up the Temple Mount. Once you cross into the Temple Mount area, you are under the scrutiny of the Muslims... They are looking you over top to bottom. Do not hold hands, do not touch a woman, wear "holy clothes" ( men wear slacks and women must have their shoulders covered...no cleavage or anything like that.)
Interstingly enough , our guide, Kenny, was a bit nervous on the Mount. He is a Jewish man, and said that on more than one occassion he had been escorted off the Temple Mount by Muslim authorities. So we kept moving, he told stories without his usuall dramatic flair... Our Bus guide, Bob, was even more uncomfortable and kept things moving too... You just got the feeling that you were being watched.
One last thing about this. When we got up on the Temple Mount , we were besieged by young boys "selling" postcards which contained interior pictures of the Mosque athe Dome of the Rock. They were pretty agressive. Eventually, after most of us had bought a pack of postcards for $1, they were shooed away.
Captitalism still reigns, even on a Muslim Holy Site.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
"We will drive Israel into the sea..."
There is so much more to Israel than archeology and history. There is a political reality that can not be denied.
One of the very interesting things about Israel is the fear that the country lives in. Israel is a country that is about the size of New Jersey. You can cover most of the country in just a few hours of driving. I suppose that would not be a big deal if you lived in New Jersey.
But think about it. On the north is Lebanon. Just beyond Lebanon is Iran. To the North East is Syria. To the due east is Jordan. To the south is Egpyt. All of these nations at one time or another have wanted the Jews run out of the promised land. Arabs through the ages have made this their stated intention. Some countries have modified their stand... negotiated peace and co-exist with Israel. Iran and Syria seem to be the major threats right now. Iran's leader has come out and said that the goal of his administration is to destroy Israel. He has claimed that the Holocaust was a concoction of the CIA, Israel and other pro-Israeli groups, in an attempt to steal back the land.
Syria is more subtle. Damascus has chosen to take a more subtle approach by funding terrorists groups like Hezbollah ( in Lebanon), and Hamas(rooted in the Gaza Strip, south and west of Jerusalem). From both the north and the southwest the Jews have seen bombs rain down on them. Just two years ago some 800 bombs were sent from southern Lebanon into the Tiberias area... Our Guide said that only two out of the 800 hit anything and no one was injured. But can you imagine going to bed each night wondering what would drop out of the sky upon your home? It is almost unimaginable to us.
I was very interested in the Golan Heights... which is due west of Tiberias. We drove along the Syrian Border and heard about the desire that Syria has for the Palestinians to regain control of this strategic mountain range. It is no secret that the ones who control the Heights will indeed control the northern part of the country. Syria wants it, and they have fought with Israel over that strategic area for 40 years.
While we were there, President Bush and Secretary of State Rice were in Jerusalem. It was a tense visit at best. They were there to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Israeli independence. On the one hand our leaders were saying, "Israel has a right to to exist...we will stand with you... etc. " But then they met with Palestinian leaders and in effect said, "Everyone needs to negotiate the division of land in the area." Boy that really made the Jewish leaders mad. It worries the Jews that we send mixed messages. The older Jewish people are adamant that they do not give up any more land than they already have. I heard this several times on the tour... " When it comes to Palestinans and Jews, a peace treaty is not worth the paper it is written on." Perhaps this comes from the consistent message of Israel's enemeies that says, "We will drive you into the sea." It is kind of hard to trust someone when that is the message. It is hard to negotiate when you have this kind of statement hanging over your head.
I am so thankful to live in America. We live with limited fear of an attack. We do not fear those neighbors to the south or west. Internally, we are trying to identify the enemies that have made their way into our country and thwart their efforts to destroy us. Aside from 9/11, our government has been pretty successful. But it would not take much to see fear invade our country... I would never want to live the way the Jews do. They know where their gas masks are. They know where the bomb shelters are. They live under the very real threat that Iran will successfully manufacture a nuclear device and if they do they have only one target: Israel.
Ultimately, God is in control. I believe he gave the promised land to Israel. While Arabs and Jews have been battling over this land for generations, it is Israel's. But, while I believe that... the fear of the Jews only reveals the lack of understanding about Christ and God's plan to finally settle this once and for all. Christ is the difference maker here... If only they would come to Him, recognize him as the Messiah who has come, has died, and has risen from the dead. If only they would come to Him, recognizing that He will come again, this time not as a lamb, but as a Lion and he will make everything right once and for all...
Jews may say that it is not that simple...but I really think it is.
More info on our trip to come....
A POSTSCRIPT: TODAY Iran's Leader said tht Israel will soon cease to exist..and that the decline and destruction of the US has begun. (USA TODAY). He is crazy and that is what makes him so scary...
One of the very interesting things about Israel is the fear that the country lives in. Israel is a country that is about the size of New Jersey. You can cover most of the country in just a few hours of driving. I suppose that would not be a big deal if you lived in New Jersey.
But think about it. On the north is Lebanon. Just beyond Lebanon is Iran. To the North East is Syria. To the due east is Jordan. To the south is Egpyt. All of these nations at one time or another have wanted the Jews run out of the promised land. Arabs through the ages have made this their stated intention. Some countries have modified their stand... negotiated peace and co-exist with Israel. Iran and Syria seem to be the major threats right now. Iran's leader has come out and said that the goal of his administration is to destroy Israel. He has claimed that the Holocaust was a concoction of the CIA, Israel and other pro-Israeli groups, in an attempt to steal back the land.
Syria is more subtle. Damascus has chosen to take a more subtle approach by funding terrorists groups like Hezbollah ( in Lebanon), and Hamas(rooted in the Gaza Strip, south and west of Jerusalem). From both the north and the southwest the Jews have seen bombs rain down on them. Just two years ago some 800 bombs were sent from southern Lebanon into the Tiberias area... Our Guide said that only two out of the 800 hit anything and no one was injured. But can you imagine going to bed each night wondering what would drop out of the sky upon your home? It is almost unimaginable to us.
I was very interested in the Golan Heights... which is due west of Tiberias. We drove along the Syrian Border and heard about the desire that Syria has for the Palestinians to regain control of this strategic mountain range. It is no secret that the ones who control the Heights will indeed control the northern part of the country. Syria wants it, and they have fought with Israel over that strategic area for 40 years.
While we were there, President Bush and Secretary of State Rice were in Jerusalem. It was a tense visit at best. They were there to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Israeli independence. On the one hand our leaders were saying, "Israel has a right to to exist...we will stand with you... etc. " But then they met with Palestinian leaders and in effect said, "Everyone needs to negotiate the division of land in the area." Boy that really made the Jewish leaders mad. It worries the Jews that we send mixed messages. The older Jewish people are adamant that they do not give up any more land than they already have. I heard this several times on the tour... " When it comes to Palestinans and Jews, a peace treaty is not worth the paper it is written on." Perhaps this comes from the consistent message of Israel's enemeies that says, "We will drive you into the sea." It is kind of hard to trust someone when that is the message. It is hard to negotiate when you have this kind of statement hanging over your head.
I am so thankful to live in America. We live with limited fear of an attack. We do not fear those neighbors to the south or west. Internally, we are trying to identify the enemies that have made their way into our country and thwart their efforts to destroy us. Aside from 9/11, our government has been pretty successful. But it would not take much to see fear invade our country... I would never want to live the way the Jews do. They know where their gas masks are. They know where the bomb shelters are. They live under the very real threat that Iran will successfully manufacture a nuclear device and if they do they have only one target: Israel.
Ultimately, God is in control. I believe he gave the promised land to Israel. While Arabs and Jews have been battling over this land for generations, it is Israel's. But, while I believe that... the fear of the Jews only reveals the lack of understanding about Christ and God's plan to finally settle this once and for all. Christ is the difference maker here... If only they would come to Him, recognize him as the Messiah who has come, has died, and has risen from the dead. If only they would come to Him, recognizing that He will come again, this time not as a lamb, but as a Lion and he will make everything right once and for all...
Jews may say that it is not that simple...but I really think it is.
More info on our trip to come....
A POSTSCRIPT: TODAY Iran's Leader said tht Israel will soon cease to exist..and that the decline and destruction of the US has begun. (USA TODAY). He is crazy and that is what makes him so scary...
Sunday, June 01, 2008
A Stormy morning
After a flying across the Europe and the Mediteranean, we arrived in Tel Aviv. Then we had a 2 1/2 hour bus ride to Tiberias, which is on the southwest side of the sea of Galilee.
The Sea of Galilee is not huge...by our standards. But it is down in a valley, with Golan Heights ( long disputed land between Syria and Israel)on the east, and the mountains that lead to the Jezreel valley and the coastal region on the west.
We fell into bed the first night. Our bodies were definately confused by the 8 hour time change. We both were so tired when we went to bed about 9:30 that night.
The first morning on the Sea was very memorable. About 4 AM (about 8 PM Oklahoma time), I was awakened by the clap of thunder. I laid their for a moment thinking, "Where am I?" I did not expect a storm. But God has a surprise for us. I got up and looked out the window over the sea and it was a full-fledged storm broiling on the sea. I looked at streaks of lightning across the sky. Then the rain, then more lightning and thunder. Pam was sleeping, but I woke her up with, "How cool is that!" God was giving us a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
I did not see Jesus or a boat, but I could imagine it. Locals said that the storms come up from time to time, totally by surprise. And when they come up, they are loud and crazy. Wind, rain, lightning... the whole thing.
I thought about the storms that the disciples experienced on the Sea and how Jesus calmed them. It was a "miracle moment" for me. It was like God was saying to me on that first morning..."You really are here."
I came back to Oklahoma and our church family with a new appreciation for the calming influence and presence of Christ. This week many have needed to be reminded of it. One of our members mother died. Another member had been given a terrible cancer diagnosis and was undergoing exploratory surgery. ( Guess what??? After all the tests , they got in there and did not find a thing!). Another member found out that her mother has been given very little time to live. One of our secretaries is dealing with a terminal illness in her family.
Where do you go in the storm? You look for, you call for, you pray for Jesus. Even when it is stormy, His presence helps. It calms us, reminds us that this fallen world we live in is not all there is. His presences gives us hope, since he has conquered death.
It was all brought home to me this morning. I went to church with high hopes for a big crowd, the introduction of our series called " Wise Words." ( Proverbs). It had been stormy over the weekend, but not a really big deal.
First service went fine... Then the storms hit. Deluge, lightning, hurricaine force winds, and hail. It was incredible. Our water retention pond was nearly full. Things from our phase II construction were flying around. What a storm!
It all calmed down... and then it hit again during our second service. Attendance was way down, but we pressed on... and then as I got up to preach, ( two sentences or so into ), the power went out. What do you do? You keep going. You press on. Worship and preaching are not dependent on sound systems, lights and all the extras that we have in our building.
It was great moment, not unlike the moment from the Sea of Galilee. Storms come and storms go. That is life. But you keep on trusting, keep on searching, keep on believing. At the end of our "dark" service one of our members came forward for prayer. It is really stormy in her life. And another family came forward to join (Kyle had been baptized last Wednesday.)
I was proud of our church this morning. They pressed on and after it was all over, they said, "It was kind of neat." And they appreciated the fact that we did not stop.
I am also extremely proud of our Early Children, Childrens and Worship teams. They did not panic, and just kept on. They are great people.
Storms are part of life, in Isreal and Oklahoma. Jesus is there no matter where you are.
The Sea of Galilee is not huge...by our standards. But it is down in a valley, with Golan Heights ( long disputed land between Syria and Israel)on the east, and the mountains that lead to the Jezreel valley and the coastal region on the west.
We fell into bed the first night. Our bodies were definately confused by the 8 hour time change. We both were so tired when we went to bed about 9:30 that night.
The first morning on the Sea was very memorable. About 4 AM (about 8 PM Oklahoma time), I was awakened by the clap of thunder. I laid their for a moment thinking, "Where am I?" I did not expect a storm. But God has a surprise for us. I got up and looked out the window over the sea and it was a full-fledged storm broiling on the sea. I looked at streaks of lightning across the sky. Then the rain, then more lightning and thunder. Pam was sleeping, but I woke her up with, "How cool is that!" God was giving us a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
I did not see Jesus or a boat, but I could imagine it. Locals said that the storms come up from time to time, totally by surprise. And when they come up, they are loud and crazy. Wind, rain, lightning... the whole thing.
I thought about the storms that the disciples experienced on the Sea and how Jesus calmed them. It was a "miracle moment" for me. It was like God was saying to me on that first morning..."You really are here."
I came back to Oklahoma and our church family with a new appreciation for the calming influence and presence of Christ. This week many have needed to be reminded of it. One of our members mother died. Another member had been given a terrible cancer diagnosis and was undergoing exploratory surgery. ( Guess what??? After all the tests , they got in there and did not find a thing!). Another member found out that her mother has been given very little time to live. One of our secretaries is dealing with a terminal illness in her family.
Where do you go in the storm? You look for, you call for, you pray for Jesus. Even when it is stormy, His presence helps. It calms us, reminds us that this fallen world we live in is not all there is. His presences gives us hope, since he has conquered death.
It was all brought home to me this morning. I went to church with high hopes for a big crowd, the introduction of our series called " Wise Words." ( Proverbs). It had been stormy over the weekend, but not a really big deal.
First service went fine... Then the storms hit. Deluge, lightning, hurricaine force winds, and hail. It was incredible. Our water retention pond was nearly full. Things from our phase II construction were flying around. What a storm!
It all calmed down... and then it hit again during our second service. Attendance was way down, but we pressed on... and then as I got up to preach, ( two sentences or so into ), the power went out. What do you do? You keep going. You press on. Worship and preaching are not dependent on sound systems, lights and all the extras that we have in our building.
It was great moment, not unlike the moment from the Sea of Galilee. Storms come and storms go. That is life. But you keep on trusting, keep on searching, keep on believing. At the end of our "dark" service one of our members came forward for prayer. It is really stormy in her life. And another family came forward to join (Kyle had been baptized last Wednesday.)
I was proud of our church this morning. They pressed on and after it was all over, they said, "It was kind of neat." And they appreciated the fact that we did not stop.
I am also extremely proud of our Early Children, Childrens and Worship teams. They did not panic, and just kept on. They are great people.
Storms are part of life, in Isreal and Oklahoma. Jesus is there no matter where you are.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
In AND out
I have been reflecting on our trip to Israel. There were so many experiences to talk about.
When we arrived in Tel Aviv, we went through security at Ben Gurion Airport. It was a little unnerving, because we flew all that way, and then stood in a line to go through "passport control." That should not be a big deal since we both had passports and a good reason to enter the country. However, Pam had a little problem. Four days before we left, I noticed that her passport had her listed as a "male" and not a "female." I called the US Passport service and they told me I needed to get to Houston to fix it, before the trip. That would have cost hundreds of dollars and there were no guarentees. So I called Delta Airlines and they said, "Bring the passport, and your birth certificate. Then act like nothing is wrong, and if they bring it up, act really surprised and pull out the birth certificate."
That sounds like an easy solution unless you are the person who is trying to get in and out of a country like Israel. So as we approached passport control, I could feel some tension and anxiety on Pam's part. That, added to a transatlantic flight overnight and it is a little hard to act like nothing is wrong.
We went to the booth and I gave the lady my passport. She asked me for the reason for my entry into the country ( "Bible Study tour of the country"), put a couple stamps on it, looked at a computer and said " okay."
Then the moment of truth. Would she see the "m" instead of the "f"? Would she think we were trying to pull a fast one? Would she notice that Pam is obviously a woman and this is a typo? Would she wonder if there was some terroist connection, pull her out of the line, take her to a room with one light bulb and interrogate her? The answer? None of the above. That was my prayer. I had prayed that she would not notice, not ask any questions and just let us through.
Well that is what happened. As we walked into the country of Israel, we high fived and thanked God. Then we went on our merry way.
Fast forward two weeks later..... now we have to get out of the country. Here is what I found out... at 9 PM on a Sunday night, it is harder to get out of Israel than it is to get into it. I guess that surprised us a bit. As we stood in line with our luggage, men and women were looking us over, along with the rest of the group.( Alot of profiling going on there.) We were told that if we got pulled out of the line , we were to answer the questions honestly, be patient, don't go on and on about answers and be courteous.
That instruction by our tour people bothered me just a little bit. Shouldn't Christians do all that stuff anyway? You would think so, but even that evening we saw some of our group get a little irritated, gruff, and even rude.
Once again, just like upon entry, I could feel Pam getting anxious. What if they pulled her out of the line? Well, she had nothing to worry about. They pulled our travel partner, Dale, out of the line. We watched him answer the questions confidently and kindly. Then we moved on.
Going out of the country, they x-ray everything. Pittmans had their luggage x-rayed twice. We sailed through. The questions by security were basic. Have you been with your bags at all times? Did anyone give you anything to carry on the plane? Interestingly enough when you fly in the states, you don't get all those questions any more. But Israel has the toughest and most thorough security in the world.
So, both coming and going, with a little anxiety because of a typo on the passport, we got in AND got out.
A couple other things about security. The top question I have gotten about our trip is, "Did you feel safe?" The answer is absolutely. We saw very few guns. We saw no millitary in the airport (that was a suprise). We never felt threatened in anyway, even in a land where they live under threat of bombs from the North, East, and Southwest of Jerusalem.
Lastly, I think I figured out who the air marshalls are on transatlantic flights. They are the guys who never sleep on a 10-13 hour flight. On both flights I noticed guys who didn't sleep. They read, watched movies, played video games. They did not talk to anyone, even those they were sitting next to. But no sleep, even though everyone else was. I thought, "Well that is comforting...they are working as air marshalls." But I did not attempt to ask. It would not seem right to lean up to a guy and say, "Hey, are you an Air Marsahll?"
More to come...
When we arrived in Tel Aviv, we went through security at Ben Gurion Airport. It was a little unnerving, because we flew all that way, and then stood in a line to go through "passport control." That should not be a big deal since we both had passports and a good reason to enter the country. However, Pam had a little problem. Four days before we left, I noticed that her passport had her listed as a "male" and not a "female." I called the US Passport service and they told me I needed to get to Houston to fix it, before the trip. That would have cost hundreds of dollars and there were no guarentees. So I called Delta Airlines and they said, "Bring the passport, and your birth certificate. Then act like nothing is wrong, and if they bring it up, act really surprised and pull out the birth certificate."
That sounds like an easy solution unless you are the person who is trying to get in and out of a country like Israel. So as we approached passport control, I could feel some tension and anxiety on Pam's part. That, added to a transatlantic flight overnight and it is a little hard to act like nothing is wrong.
We went to the booth and I gave the lady my passport. She asked me for the reason for my entry into the country ( "Bible Study tour of the country"), put a couple stamps on it, looked at a computer and said " okay."
Then the moment of truth. Would she see the "m" instead of the "f"? Would she think we were trying to pull a fast one? Would she notice that Pam is obviously a woman and this is a typo? Would she wonder if there was some terroist connection, pull her out of the line, take her to a room with one light bulb and interrogate her? The answer? None of the above. That was my prayer. I had prayed that she would not notice, not ask any questions and just let us through.
Well that is what happened. As we walked into the country of Israel, we high fived and thanked God. Then we went on our merry way.
Fast forward two weeks later..... now we have to get out of the country. Here is what I found out... at 9 PM on a Sunday night, it is harder to get out of Israel than it is to get into it. I guess that surprised us a bit. As we stood in line with our luggage, men and women were looking us over, along with the rest of the group.( Alot of profiling going on there.) We were told that if we got pulled out of the line , we were to answer the questions honestly, be patient, don't go on and on about answers and be courteous.
That instruction by our tour people bothered me just a little bit. Shouldn't Christians do all that stuff anyway? You would think so, but even that evening we saw some of our group get a little irritated, gruff, and even rude.
Once again, just like upon entry, I could feel Pam getting anxious. What if they pulled her out of the line? Well, she had nothing to worry about. They pulled our travel partner, Dale, out of the line. We watched him answer the questions confidently and kindly. Then we moved on.
Going out of the country, they x-ray everything. Pittmans had their luggage x-rayed twice. We sailed through. The questions by security were basic. Have you been with your bags at all times? Did anyone give you anything to carry on the plane? Interestingly enough when you fly in the states, you don't get all those questions any more. But Israel has the toughest and most thorough security in the world.
So, both coming and going, with a little anxiety because of a typo on the passport, we got in AND got out.
A couple other things about security. The top question I have gotten about our trip is, "Did you feel safe?" The answer is absolutely. We saw very few guns. We saw no millitary in the airport (that was a suprise). We never felt threatened in anyway, even in a land where they live under threat of bombs from the North, East, and Southwest of Jerusalem.
Lastly, I think I figured out who the air marshalls are on transatlantic flights. They are the guys who never sleep on a 10-13 hour flight. On both flights I noticed guys who didn't sleep. They read, watched movies, played video games. They did not talk to anyone, even those they were sitting next to. But no sleep, even though everyone else was. I thought, "Well that is comforting...they are working as air marshalls." But I did not attempt to ask. It would not seem right to lean up to a guy and say, "Hey, are you an Air Marsahll?"
More to come...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Trip update
Its been 15 days since last post. I had hoped to do so from Israel, but internet access was spotty...and I chose to use the internet time I did have to let the kids know we were doing well.
So what do you say about a two week Bible teaching tour of Israel? I have been home for 36 hours and I am still more or less speechless ( that may be the effect of jet-lag). I doubt that is true... simply put, this trip was incredible. To go and walk in the land of Christ is such a humbling experience.
People ask what I liked the most. It is very hard to say. There was so much. I loved the archeology. I loved places like Bet Shaan. There is a great story behind this archeological marvel. The actual place is where the enemies of Saul and Jonathon nailed their bodies to the wall. It was discovered about 20 years ago by a farmer who was plowing some ground. His tractor hit something and when he started digging and found the very tip of a Roman column. Not knowing what he had, but suspecting something, he let government officials know. They swooped in, took all his land, and begin excavating. What they found was amazing. A large city that had some of the classic columns, a Roman theater that seated several thousand people, a main North/south road commonly called a "Cardo" ( for heart). The East/West road was also very impressive. This was the area that most of the commerce took place. Addiitonally there were major religious sites , along with a "tel" ( or a mound) that was very impressive. The visit there set the stage for much more in the way of archeology that has revealed so much history in Jerusalem.
I loved Jerusalem. Of course the highlight was to study God's Word, looking at many of the steps of Jesus and be able to see it. Besides the walls and the different spots like Gethsamane, Golgotha, Caiahphas'house, the city of David, and the Western ( wailing- a term the jews do not like) wall, I think I was amazed by the topography of the area. Jerusalem is built on a series of hills... with large valleys below. To see the Kidron Valley, the Valley of Hinnom, and the central valley was amazing. I think that seeing that and understanding the physical test of walking all of that area over and over was striking to me.
Multiply that a hundred times when walking down the Mount of Olives as Jesus entered into the city in what is called the "triumphal entry", and you have something pretty special. Then take that feeling and begin to think about what Jesus was really doing when he entered into Jerusalem, knowing that he was on his way to his death! It is almost too much.
Personally, it was so amazing to share this experience with Pam. She had been there 30 years ago. But honestly, so much had changed in that time that it was nearly a new experience for her. She did so great, and was such an encouragement to me. All the while, knowing that her kids were half a world away, and one of them expecting a child in the coming days.
We also shared the trip with a couple from our church. Dale and Linda Pittman had gone to Israel 4 years ago, and since that time had wanted to invite us to go with them. I could not imagine taking that kind of trip on our own and getting as much out of it. They were so reassuring, generous, and good to us. Special friends who love God, love His Word, and the land of Jesus.
There is alot more to write about...so consider this a start. God showed himself to me in some very significant ways. What a blessing.
More to come....hopefully with some of the 900 pictures that Pam took. ( Yes, I said 900! Digital cameras are pretty cool.)
PS- Baby Grace is close to coming- any day now. So pray for Elizabeth and Nathaniel.
So what do you say about a two week Bible teaching tour of Israel? I have been home for 36 hours and I am still more or less speechless ( that may be the effect of jet-lag). I doubt that is true... simply put, this trip was incredible. To go and walk in the land of Christ is such a humbling experience.
People ask what I liked the most. It is very hard to say. There was so much. I loved the archeology. I loved places like Bet Shaan. There is a great story behind this archeological marvel. The actual place is where the enemies of Saul and Jonathon nailed their bodies to the wall. It was discovered about 20 years ago by a farmer who was plowing some ground. His tractor hit something and when he started digging and found the very tip of a Roman column. Not knowing what he had, but suspecting something, he let government officials know. They swooped in, took all his land, and begin excavating. What they found was amazing. A large city that had some of the classic columns, a Roman theater that seated several thousand people, a main North/south road commonly called a "Cardo" ( for heart). The East/West road was also very impressive. This was the area that most of the commerce took place. Addiitonally there were major religious sites , along with a "tel" ( or a mound) that was very impressive. The visit there set the stage for much more in the way of archeology that has revealed so much history in Jerusalem.
I loved Jerusalem. Of course the highlight was to study God's Word, looking at many of the steps of Jesus and be able to see it. Besides the walls and the different spots like Gethsamane, Golgotha, Caiahphas'house, the city of David, and the Western ( wailing- a term the jews do not like) wall, I think I was amazed by the topography of the area. Jerusalem is built on a series of hills... with large valleys below. To see the Kidron Valley, the Valley of Hinnom, and the central valley was amazing. I think that seeing that and understanding the physical test of walking all of that area over and over was striking to me.
Multiply that a hundred times when walking down the Mount of Olives as Jesus entered into the city in what is called the "triumphal entry", and you have something pretty special. Then take that feeling and begin to think about what Jesus was really doing when he entered into Jerusalem, knowing that he was on his way to his death! It is almost too much.
Personally, it was so amazing to share this experience with Pam. She had been there 30 years ago. But honestly, so much had changed in that time that it was nearly a new experience for her. She did so great, and was such an encouragement to me. All the while, knowing that her kids were half a world away, and one of them expecting a child in the coming days.
We also shared the trip with a couple from our church. Dale and Linda Pittman had gone to Israel 4 years ago, and since that time had wanted to invite us to go with them. I could not imagine taking that kind of trip on our own and getting as much out of it. They were so reassuring, generous, and good to us. Special friends who love God, love His Word, and the land of Jesus.
There is alot more to write about...so consider this a start. God showed himself to me in some very significant ways. What a blessing.
More to come....hopefully with some of the 900 pictures that Pam took. ( Yes, I said 900! Digital cameras are pretty cool.)
PS- Baby Grace is close to coming- any day now. So pray for Elizabeth and Nathaniel.
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