November 9, 2009

We visited St. Mark’s church, an Assyrian church with a cute little lady named Sister Justina. St. Marks church is known to be built over the Upper room where the last supper took place and Pentecost. It was incredible going down to the upper room we sang “We are standing on Holy ground.” God’s spirit filled the room while we were singing that song…that song was perfect for that moment. What was Jesus thinking when he recline in the upper room with his disciples knowing full well what is going to happen next. He knew the torture and persecution he was going to face, and yet he still went through with it. He could have easily run, but he loved us so much he wanted to die for us.

Okay, Sister Justina was sharing with us a testimony of The Holy Spirit filling up the church when Russian man came, and they spoke to each other without knowing each others languages. What is great though she did not know that he was speaking Russian until he came back months later and they could not communicate. She had prayed earlier for her experience the Holy Spirit coming, so she can experience a similar situation from the day of Pentecost. She was saying that the day of Pentecost happened in the upper room. A couple of people I know have said the same thing. I just read the passage in Acts 2 that addresses where they were at for the day of Pentecost. In Acts 2:1 it says, “When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.” Well, it does not say the upper room like it says in Luke 22:12. I know Pentecost happened…and I guess it should not matter where it was located…I just had that thought that it did not happen in the upper room.

Anyways, Justina’s testimony and passion for God is incredible! She refired my spirit, and encouraged me to be on fire for God all the more. I have two videos for you of Sister Justina…the first one is when she was first talking to us as we arrived...this was right before her testimony…her testimony is too long and wont fit on my blog…later I will put I will put it on Picaso...then the other video is her singing the lords prayer in Aramaic. Aramaic is the spoken language of Jesus day. She is such a cute old woman, and her voice cracks me up. I really enjoyed being at that church…you can really since the spirit of God is on that place.

God allow me to be a light in other lives, just like Sister Justina displayed today. She was a light in my life…and I am thank that she was placed in my life just at the right moment. I love you and praise you!

November 8, 2009

Drove to the city of Akko, pronounced “acre.” It is an ancient city from the crusader period that was buried in the ottoman period. In the 1950’s Akko was discovered under ground. Akko is very well preserved…it was cool walking through old tunnels and the rooms of the beautiful city. When I arrived I did not know that Akko was on the Mediterranean. When we went outside the city walls there was the Mediterranean Sea. That was very beautiful seeing that. On our way outside the city walls I noticed that people still lived inside the city…you have a tourist attraction on one end of the city and then you have Arabs and Muslims living on the other. The walls of Akko cascade down into the

Mediterranean. There are spots on the wall where cannons use to be where you can climb and look over the wall at the Mediterranean.

What topped off the day was going to Caesarea! Herod the Great inherited the city and built it into a beautiful city. Caesarea became the major seaport. This is where the Olympic games started. We had our own Olympic game on the Chariot racetrack. Of course we did not have any chariots, but we did have our running legs. I did not run in the Olympics. When we were at Caesarea we got to see a beautiful sunset, and I put my feet in the Mediterranean Sea.

My time here in Israel is almost over…and I am amazed at how much history is here. The ancient world did not start in the USA or Europe it began here in Israel. It just blows my mind. This is God’s Holy Land. He started it here and he will end it here. I have seen things that I had dreams of going to see. It will be a bittersweet goodbye leaving this beautiful country of Israel. May peace come into this land.

November 5, 2009

Today was great day out, but many of the people missed out because they were sick. We had about 6 or 7 people sick today. We spent the whole day in the Jewish quarter. My favorite place that we visited today was the Temple Institute. The people in the Temple Institute have been doing lots of research on what the 2nd temple looked like so that they can build the 3rd temple. They research what the temple looked like inside, the traditions in the temple, how many priests there are, what each object in the temple looked like and how it was constructed. So, many items inside the temple mount are gold plated and then there are two items that are solid Gold. They have a manikin that has the traditional dress of the high priest and his solid gold crown. The other solid gold item is the Menorah. The people inside the Temple institute are so passionate about the idea of rebuilding the third temple. They were saying that God would destroy the Dome of the Rock; they will have no part of destroying the Dome of the Rock. Everything inside the Temple Institute will go into the third temple when it is built. Also, they believe the Ark of the Covenant is buried under the Temple Mount. They believe there is no need to make another Ark.

Show bread is miracle bread. If you look at the picture to the left you will see that it looks like a fig Newton with the inside taken out and cut straight down the middle. If it was regular bread the bread would collapse, but the showbread is not suppose to collapse and it suppose to stay warm as though it was just taken out of the oven 7 days prior. If they actually build another temple, I can’t wait to hear that their showbread has fallen and it is not warm after a full week of being inside the temple.

Their passion for rebuilding the Temple was getting me all excited though for a new temple. I know though that we no longer need a temple to give a sacrifice. Jesus came here to be that perfect Sacrifice. Praise the Lord!

The idea of a third temple is very controversial. There are Jews that believe that a third temple will be built, there are other Jews that believe they do not need a third temple because the messiah will come to earth and save them. The Muslims are threatened by the Jews for wanting to rebuild the third temple. They do not want them to destroy the Dome of the Rock for the purpose of rebuilding the temple.

The whole experience was very interesting…it was great hearing and see the passion of the people. We can look at their passion and relay it back into our lives. Sometimes the passion for God and his people can die if we do not seek after him. Seeking after him can definitely rekindle the passion.

I wish you could see all the beautiful things that are in the Temple Institute, but they had asked us not to take any pictures. Maybe someday you can go see it for yourself.

November 4, 2009

Today was very interesting...we had another long bus ride into the Desert. Spent the whole day at a variety of different places. We were in the Northern Negev Desert. There we had visited a Bedioun museum. We basically relearned the culture of the Bediouns. We did get to see more of how they dressed and had pictures of women who were dressed differently according to their status in life. Whether they were single, married, old, divorced, widowed, and young. All I got to say is I am so grateful that I can wear a t-shirt and shorts whenever I want. Those women just look so hot wearing their traditional dress and head coverings. I remember reading how they determine if someone is innocent or not is by getting a hot iron rod or spoon or something that can get hot from the fire. Then they have the hot rod placed on the convicted person's tongue. If his tongue gets scorched he is guilty, but if it does not get scorched he is innocent. I wonder how many convicted Bediouns got away with having their tongues not get burned. I bet everyone was guilty according to their practice of convicting someone. That just sounds so painful!

We also went to a huge crater in the Negev Desert. I forget the name, but I enjoyed looking out over the edge. Eli our tour guide was explaining how that crater was made, but I totally lost him. He did use a hard boiled egg, I give him the credit trying to explain the crater. All I now is geologist go nuts at this crater. There is many different soil and rock types.

While we were there we saw fighter jets. Apparently the military loves to use the Negev Desert as a training ground for bombs. So while I was standing over the edge of the cliff…the three fighter jets were going through the crater…they looked so far away and yet we were close. The crater is huge! Those fighter jets were probably the cause of me not listening to well because I could hear them in the air, and so I would try to look for them while Eli was talking.

That evening there was a beautiful sunset in the desert. We watched the sunset near Ben Gurions grave sight. It hid behind some beautiful mountains. My favorite time of the day is probably at sunrise or sunset. I rarely get to be up for a sunset, but I always think there beautiful when I am up for one.

Today was really a day of reflection and a catch up on sleep. Which has been very refreshing. I get an overload of information everyday, and so it was great having a chill day.

November 3, 2009

Today was a cold rainy day! Here in Israel it has not rained for awhile, so it was great to see and experience rain in Israel. We learned a lot about Israel Government. Eli, our tour guide for the week, did an excellent job explaining how Israel governments works. The Israel government is similar to England's parliament...instead of Israel having a king or queen they have a president. It's funny...Eli had said "the only thing the president does here is cut ribbons." The president does not make any executive decision within the government it is mostly his Knesset and his prime minister that he appointed. The prime minister and the Knesset does the dirty work, while the president cuts ribbons. That is probably not the case, but from the sounds of what the prime minister and Knesset does much of the decision-making. Okay, when deciding on a new prime minister they will have candidates that give different view points to make Israel better. The Knesset will vote on which candidate they like better. Once Knesset has voted then there is negotiating going on.

We also visited the tomb of Theodor Herzl on Mt Herzl. Apparently he was a journalist in Vienna, Austria in the 1880’s. As a means of protecting himself, his approach was “let’s assimilate into the culture, the Jews need to blend in.” Then in the 1890’s he was sent to Paris to cover the Dreyfus Affair. When he was doing that he got blamed on Dreyfus because he was a Jew. When that happened, he changed his position and began to campaign the idea of Israel becoming a nation again. He predicted that it would happen in 50 years. 50 years later Israel became a state…he made a really good prediction.

Today was a lot about politics, which is very interesting but very boring to read or write about, so I won’t bore you any longer. All I got to say is praise the Lord for the rain.

November 2, 2009

What a day it has been! It was our first experience in cold and extremely windy weather here in Israel. When I say windy I mean if you had a bed sheet and a skateboard you could go down the road without even having to use your feet for momentum. One of the places we had gone today was Herodian. This is one of the many palaces Herod has built. He is buried at Herodian and his palace is on a huge hill. I thought down in the valley of this hill was windy…we climbed to the top and thought we were going to be blown off the top as if we were feathers. It was hilarious seeing PJ and James going against the wind. This picture of them does  not even do its justice. Anyways it was so beautiful over looking the surrounding landscape on top of Herodian. I would have loved to see Herodian in its hay day. Because Herod was known as a great Architect I bet his palace was beautiful and unique for that time period.

Immediately after Herodian we got to experience Bethlehem. When you go to Bethlehem people who are considered Israeli citizens can’t go inside unless you are an Arab Israeli. As a tourist you are able to enter Bethlehem, but only if you switch buses and have an Arab tour guide. I thought that was totally bizarre. I really love our bus driver Albert and our tour guide Eli, but unfortunately we had to lose them to go into Bethlehem. Bethlehem is just 20 to 30 minutes outside of Jerusalem and you enter a totally different culture and atmosphere. Bethlehem is inside the West Bank. The West bank is neither a country or apart of Israel, Palestinians run it. It acts like a territory but is not a territory of Israel. Why can’t people come together from different cultures and make peace with one another, but like Dr. Waddell told us for someone to truly have peace with one another is to have Jesus Christ resonating in their hearts. They had Jesus Christ at one time reside in their home land of Bethlehem, but resonating in the hearts of the people is coming to be a rare find. We got to go to the Church of Nativity where they basically have built a shrine around the place it is said Jesus was born. The church was built around the cave that has been recognized as the birthplace of Jesus. You enter the church through a small door and it smells old inside and you walk to the back of the church and you start smelling lavender incense and oils that have been burning to recognize that Jesus Christ was born there. People were pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of where Jesus was born inside the cave. I know there is a chance that this is not the right place where Jesus was born, but knowing that our Lord and Savior was born there, and then later down the road in his life he died on the cross for us. Then he beats death by coming back to life three days later. Through the hustle and bustle inside the cave I was overwhelmed with God’s love for me. A child so helpless in that manager grows up to save the world. That sacrificial unconditional love is something that is hard to do towards others. My love can’t even compare to the love God has for us…but that does not stop me from trying to love all who are in my life.

My prayer is to continue to have God’s love pour out of us as Christ followers onto his beloved children. May peace come into the hearts of the people in this beautiful country. My biggest desire is for people to see that Christ loves them so much, but it saddens me to know that not everyone will know and come to realize that. Let us be light in this dark world.

November 1, 2009

Today was a day that rekindled a passion of mine. A passion to love on those who have gone through emotional and physical trauma form war or violence. Going to Uganda last year ignited that passion because I had never in my life seen the effects of what war or violence could do to a person or group of people. It makes me cry seeing people depressed, belittled, feeling unworthy to live because their family was killed right before their eyes, women/girls being raped because some man wanted to have a few seconds of pleasure, little boys who were forced to become a soldier, kids brain washed in thinking a certain way or being forced to use drugs or alcohol so they are not in the right state of mind. Then those people survive and they have to live with that hurt. Then those people who have survived do not know Christ and they live with feeling not wanted or loved. Satan gets the best of them. What rekindled this passion was going to the Yadvashem Holocaust museum. What those Jewish, old, young, mentally/physically handicapped, gypsies, and polish people had to go through because a man named Hitler wanted to wipe out people who were not willing to follow him in his revolt or who were not like him. The millions who died for being different...the deception the people faced...disease that swept through the camps...the women who were raped...the children who lost their innocence...the smell of bodies being burned...the separation from family...the desire to be free from the Nazi's..the humiliation they must have felt...they were being devalued as human life. I can't even fathom what they were going through...it breaks my heart seeing people suffering. Despite the consequences the Jews would have faced they kept to their laws and religion.

I want to help those who were victims of war or violence. I want to be used by God to be a light into their life. I want  to be used to break down barriers and have Christ resonate in hearts of the people who are victims. I have seen the depression war has caused to people, the life style people live after war. The pictures in the museum had made me cry...seeing the destruction and lives being thrown away as if they were garbage. The children and parents wanting to be free but can't because they believe differently, or they have different color skin, eyes, or nose from the rest of the so called "normal" people. People say all the time to learn from our history so history does not repeat itself. Well, apparently we have not learned from our history because it is still happening today in our cities with gang violence, marital issues, schools, jobs, and homes. Yeah, we are not killing millions of people, but we can dehumanize someone through our words, persecute people, judge, kill, and belittle someone. There is even genocide in other countries between tribes, or other people groups. People thinking that they are better than the other. This can cause hurt in a person's life and traumatize them. 

The big question is how can you stop this kind of behavior? Well, very simple to say but so hard to do...have Christ take control of our hearts and mind. That definitely is not an easy task, but if you helped change one life for the better how much better is their world going to be. Especially their reward in the end. Have God's love pour out of you onto the people around you. I am not calling anyone to go to Sudan and rescue people from the civil war unless God calls you to. What I am saying is go to your co-workers, spouses, children, teachers, students, youth, and whoever you come into contact with on a daily basis to pour God's love onto them. This is something I struggle with is going out of my comfort zone to pour out God's love on those who are hurt in my community...yeah God calls me to go to places like Sudan or Uganda to share love to those who are hurting, but my ministry needs to start here in my home town. You would think because God has given me that passion I would take it and run with it. No that is not what I do I let opportunity after opportunity to pass me by because I have no time, or too scared...what do I say...they won't listen why bother telling them that. All those thoughts can play into my mind. Time after time I have to learn that God is going to provide what is needing to be said, I just have to trust him. Only God can make someone whole again...and i pray that I can gather up the strength and courage to be that salt and light to all who i encounter who is hurting. I encourage you to do the same. As Christ followers we are to be salt and light to this dark and flavorless world. Pour out God's love onto others. People are searching for answers and what if your co-worker finds that answer when you tell them about a God that loves them so much. It is so rewarding to know that person aregoing to spend all of eternity with God. There will be rejection no doubt, but do not make that stop you from doing God's will. 

October 28th and 29th

This whole trip has a reoccurring theme..can you guess by the picture to the left..if you guess being in a barren wilderness and finding refuge at an oasis you are correct...I have talked about the symbolism before in my previous blogs. The picture to the left we were in the desert over looking more of the desert. If I remember correctly we were near the area Jesus was tempted in the desert. Being in a wilderness and then find yourself in an Oasis has really spoken volumes in my life on this trip. God is the spring that constantly brings life into a barren wilderness. These two days have been packed full of fun adventures. The first day we went to the Dead Sea to swim, eat again at a delicious falafel place go ride camels in the desert, and then camp at a Bedioun camp. The second day I woke up at 4:30 because it was cold, stayed awake to watch a beautiful sunrise over the barren desert land, climb up and down Mt. Massada, go on a long off road jeep safari ride through the desert! It was an incredible two days!!

First thing we did on the 28th was go to the place where the first 7 Dead Sea Scrolls were found. After thousands of years these scrolls from the old testament were found still intact inside a cave along the Dead Sea. The scrolls were kept so well because the weather is so dry in the desert. After those 7 scrolls were found an additional 31 scrolls were found in various caves around the same area. Each of the scrolls are books in the old testament. The only book that has not been found is the book of Esther. I can't get over how the word of God has been well preserved all these years.

After seeing where the scrolls were found we went to the Dead Sea!! WARNING: Do not get salt in your eyes and mouth. Oh  my goodness I did not even put my head underwater, but I kept getting the salt water in my eyes and in my mouth for some reason. When you get it in your eyes your eyes are literally stinging for 10 minutes straight. It is ridiculous, but swimming in the Dead Sea is all worth the torture. I put mud all over my face like you can see in the picture. My skin as so smooth after rinsing myself off. That afternoon we drove to the Bedioun camp...the camp was in the middle of nowhere. Bedioun means "desert dweller." So, at the camp we got to experience and learn about the culture of the Bedioun people. First thing we got to experience as a Bedioun for a day was riding camels. That was 30 minutes of fun! From there we experienced their customs and traditions as a Bedioun. 

During the night i woke up to the sound of donkeys and dos barking. Apparently donkeys had gotten loose from their fence and was running around the camp site. The dogs were trying to rally them together and put them back int eh fence. One of the boys had stayed awake the whole night and saw all that happened. He was saying there were donkeys, dogs, and cats going in and out our tent while we were sleeping. I am so glad I slept through all that. It would have been scary waking up to a dog or donkey panting in my face. I am thankful that I am a sound sleeper. What a gorgeous morning it was waking up to a beautiful sunrise. Seeing that sunrise and spending some time with God starts your day out so GREAT! 

Adding to that wonderful morning we had an incredible time climbing Mt Massada. This was a huge mountain.rock. King Herod had built the city and his palace up there. This particular mountain use to have only one way up...which is very narrow on the edge of the mountain. Massada is a very safe place to live. No one could attack Massada unless they wanted loose the battle. So, it is said that after the temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70AD, the Jews fled from Jerusalem and went up to Mt. Massada to live. The romans chased afer them and wanted to attack the city but could not because they would have all died.So the army commander tough of building a ramp to the top. It took around 3 years to build that ramp. Many centuries have passed since then, and it amazes me that the ramp is still standing today. After the ramp was built the Romans went in the city to discover the people of Massada all dead. They had committed suicide because they did not want their people to be sold off as slaves and be dehumanized just like their family ad friends were 3 years before in Jerusalem. Only a hand ful of old women and children did not go through the act of commiting suicide.

My opinion on this...I understand why they committed suicide...but that does not justify anything. Yeah, I woudl hate being taken from teh Romans and be dehumanied as  an individual, but I value life and i can find hope in God through whatever I was going thruogh. Taking my life only shortens it that much sooner. I would try to live to see the next day...finding hope int he smallest ounce of life. Maybe my mind set would have been different at that moment in history. I pray that if I am ever placed in a similar situation, God would give me the strength and the foresight to stay stong in His name even though fear can overcome me.

I can remember a story from one of my professors about a  Chinese man who went through lots of persecution as a Christ follower. The man started a home church in his village. The Chinese government found out that he was preaching to the village, and they threw him in jail. A couple years later he had a chance to go back home, but he had to promise not to preach the word of God. He refused...I believe they did not let him leave he then had to stay a couple more years. He had a second chance and he agreed to. But of course he went back preaching the word of God to all who would listen. He was taken again but htis time he spent 23 hours in a day in a pitch dark cellar for  many many years. It was only him and God in that cellar...God never left him in the cellar...after years and years of being in tha tcellar he turned blind...he was old by then and the authorities thought he would not prach a day for the rest of his life because he was blind, so they let him free. As an old blind man he found himself back where he use to live...and guess what he did...he started preaching and sharing his testimony. He could not read the bible anymore, but the Holy Spirit gave him the scripture to preach to his village once again. What a testimony of love, commitment, endurance, passion, and determination. Through what seemed like a dark time in his life he was walking in the light of God. He endured through hardship, he did not commit suicide because he saw an end. He was determined to have life and live for the next day. A normal person would probably go crazy being confined ina  dark cellar, but as a Christ follower you are not called to be normal. I know that the people of Massada did what they thought was right because they were scared, but I do not consider them hero's for their faith.

I know that staying strong in the Lord is the hardest thing to do and to stay committed because I struggle with that. Any Christ follwer struggles in their faith. Fear can definitely get the best of us. I pray for you and me that we can stay strong in Christ and never stop believing...whether it is persecution for Christ...a loved one passing way...financial struggles...marital problems...violence in a home...feeling helpless or unworthy...our sinful desires..insecurity in self...just anthing that Satan can use as a crutch to have you stop following Christ and destroy who you are in Christ. Just know we can find hope in God. Allow him to guide you through the messes...he is always there with you...you just have to see him and allow him to guide you. Life will never be easy... but life in Christ can bring peace in your heart. I guarantee that Chinese man went through personal conflicts...I bet many moments he wanted to end his life or stop believing there is a God...and yet a small voice was keeping him from doing so. God loves us so much, he will never stop loving you why should we stop loving him. It is so hard to fathom how much he loves us.. In your own life, pray for God to giv eyou the strength to grab a hold of his hand and have him guide you. I will pray the same thing over my life.

Anyways...we finished the day witha  jeep safari ride int he Judean Desert! What a day it has been! Full of adventure and love for who God is. Lets try our hardest to stay strong in the Lord!

October 27,2009

It was so beautiful today going to the northern part of Israel to Tel Dan and to Banyas falls. I have always loved hiking and so making a whole day of just hiking was incredible...I can have the quietest most intimate moments in nature with God. Although we were always on the move hiking through the two different National Parks, I still took time to walk on my own through the woods enjoying God's wonderful creation. In Tel Dan we walked along the Dan river. Saw the beautiful country side...walked to an excavation sight that was the temple that was erected when the kingdom was split. There were multiple areas on the trail where river bed rocks paved our way, and trees formed a tunnel guiding us. The beauty was incredible...listening to the wonderful noises that are made in the Tel Dan wilderness.

Later after Tel Dan we went to Banyas falls. That was another beautiful long hike to the beautiful Banyas falls on the banyas river. The breathtaking views up on cliffs looking down the valley where the falls was spectacular. This whole trip i have admired God's wonderful creation...and have enjoyed the people I am with.  Today was very different from any  other day here in Israel. Of course we have gone hiking before, but it was really a nature filled day. We did do some learning about the Druze and how they worshiped the god pan, we saw a temple built during the time the kingdom was split, and we learned that the head waters into the Jordan river is the Dan and Banyas Rivers. Today we got to experience a different wilderness besides the desert. A wilderness full of life and yet no distractions were keeping me from learning and seeking. Walking along the path I never knew what was going to be around the bend. What new sight I was going to see next...I was eager to follow the path and take in all the wonderful beauty that I saw. See things I have never seen before. The path we take in life should be the same as the path I took today. You will have moments where you are eager to go around the bend and see what is ahead, then you will have moments where you will wake a slow pace just taking everything all in, then other times, you just sit and listen to what is around you. It was really a great day up in northern Israel. I am so blessed to have gotten that opportunity today to be in the wilderness in northern Israel.

October 26, 2009

It was such a beautiful day on top of the Temple Mount! Seeing that Golden Dome up close actually touching it was a dream come true. I was so happy that the riots did not continue when we were there. It is crazy how one day it is peaceful up there, the next there is a riot, and then the day after that it is peaceful again, but plenty of Israeli soldiers making sure there is peace. Walking up there on the Temple Mount I realize that somewhere on top use to be the temple King Solomon built and then Herod's temple that he had rebuilt after King Solomon's temple was destroyed. So much history has happened up there. There has been war and destruction and then rebuilding again. It is great to know  that as Christ followers we do not need a temple to worship anymore, pray, ask forgiveness, or even sacrifice. We are free to worship anywhere, and know that we do not need a priest to go into the Holy of Holies. God had sent his perfect son to be the perfect lamb to be sacrificed for our sins so we no longer have to make a sacrifice to God.

Today we also went to the Western Wall (Wailing wall...Jews do not like that term). That was such an incredible experience...It was my 3rd time going to the western wall since we have been. The first two times I had gone on fridays at the beginnng of Shabbat, and then went today as an actual tourist with my camera ready. Going to the Western wall you notice the boys are on one side and the girls on the other. There is singing and dancing, praying, boys who are coming of age have their Bar Mitzvah at the Western wall. Lots of Jewish culture is represented at the Western wall. In my opinion it is as if they feel closer to God there at the Western wall because the Holy of Holies use to be there ontop of the Temple Mount. It is tradition to put your prayers inside the cracks at the Western Wall. What an emotional experience that was writing my prayer on my little piece of paper. I know that I am not closer to God because I prayed at the wall and stuck my prayer in a crack. I had a God moment being there praying to our wonderful creator. I get overwhelmed with his love for me. I absolutely love my moments with God.

October 25, 2009

Bet Shean is a beautiful Roman city that was excavated in the 80's, and is still being excavated today. Of course excavation has slowed down a bit because of funding, but never the less new things are being discovered. Oh, how I wished I could have seen it in its hay day. The beautiful columns lining the main road into the city...the very impressive bath houses...oh...they had flushing toilets. Up above is a picture of all of use using the toilet. In this picture we are pretending to use the toilet, but of course I get in my laugh attack for the picture. It was such a great moment in the old Roman city. Anyways, the best part of the city was going on top of the huge tel and looking out over Bet Shean and the surrounding area. It was so beautiful and breath taking. The photo to the left is a picture of the tel I climbed up to see. Even up at the top you see even more ruins. Imagine what can be found under that huge tel. All the history that is ready to be uncovered. All the curiosity of what happed in these buildings...what excitement or danger that took place...all these thoughts and even more are being played through my head. One thing I love about this trip is being able to grow in my knowledge of the bible and the history of the different time periods. It has fired up a new passion or love for God's chosen people and his chosen city. In ancient times people thought Jerusalem was the center of the Universe. As you can see in this primitive map...Jerusalem is in the center, then Europe, Asia, and Africa. This trip has brought the bible to life for me. I am so excited that this trip is not over because there is so much to learn in such a short period of time. Now when I read my bible it will bring new light and understanding of a passage just by knowing what the place looks like.

Thank you Lord for this incredible opportunity to be wondering in your city. Being in your city has given me a new perspective and understanding of what you have written in the bible. I hope to grow more in love with you...continue giving me understanding, knowledge and a new perspective on your written word. Continue to fire new passions within me. God bring peace to this nation. The people in your nation are still under conflict with each other. Soften their hearts...even if they do not believe in you. One day you will return and all will know that you are the one true God. I love you and praise you!

October 22, 2009

After today, I would love to do be an archaeologist for a summer or a semester. I really had fun! We went to the Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation. What we did was sift through a bucket full of debris from the Temple Mount where the Dome of the Rock is. The Muslims few years back had an unauthorized building renovation on top of the Temple Mount so they could have a huge mosque. In Israel you must get authorized to build or destroy anything because you may uncover ancient ruins. In this case the temple mount is an ancient structure, so doing any type of renovation would need proper excavation in order to do any building. Lots of documentation and slow digging needs to be done. And so the Muslims did not want to wait for all that so they took bulldozers near the southeastern corner of the temple mount to create huge doors for their mosque. Their mosque is located where Solomons stables use to be located. The bulldozers that destroyed history dumped all the rubble in the Kedron Valley, so two archaeologists saw the importance to go through the rubble to uncover history. All the debris we were sifting through contained over 2,000 yr old pottery pieces, mosaics, bones, metals, glass, and special stones. I absolutely loved discovering these broken pieces of history from the Temple Mount. Now the picture to the right is a pile of debris waiting to be sifted through. There are lots and lots of these piles to go through. Now look at the picture...notice the orange colored stone and then all the pieces around it that are gray. The orange stone is the color of the stones found in Israel not gray. The reason why the other stones are gray is because there are ashes on them. In 70 AD the Romans destroyed the temple King Herod built, and those ashes are from the war that took place. So, not only were we sifting through rocks we were sifting through ashes of people who fought for their freedom from the Romans. That got me really emotional thinking of all the destruction that happened and the many lives that were lost. This shows that life is so unpredictable, you never know when you will breath your last. It makes me think am I living a life that is pleasing to God...am I showing love to those around me....am I living a life of devotion to my Lord and Savior...will God be pleased with the life I have lead here on Earth....what changes do I need to make in my life. Life is too short to take things so lightly and stay stagnant.

God what changes do I need to make in my life...teach me Lord...reveal more of you too me. God I do not want to be stagnant and not grow more in love with you. God use me to better your kingdom. God there are so many lives that do not get to spend all eternity with you. Like the ashes that I have touched how many of those people do not get to see you in heaven, and have to spend all of eternity in the hands of Satan. God use me to better your kingdom, and give me the strength to overcome any fear that will prevent me from being used for your Kingdom. I love you and praise you.

October 21,2009

Since I took Old Testament History with Dr. Gerry White I was facinated with Hezekiah's tunnel. When I found out we were to go through Hezekiah's tunnel in Israel I was thrilled. King Hezekiah built this tunnel to provide water into the city of Jerusalem. Because Jerusalem is on a hill it lacked water for the city. During the time the assyrians were taking over the land Hezekiah wanted to have a way for fresh water to be brought to the city and he did not want the Assyrians to find this water. So he got men to start digging a tunnel in the city at the pool of Siloam and then had men start at Gihon Spring. Blindly these men started digging and then met in the middle. Look at the map to the left see how zig zag the tunnel is. They did not have the tools we had today to make a tunnel. In a different map that I had seen in my class you could see some of the false tunnels where they were digging and had to back track in a different direction. I think it is miraculous these men met in the middle. It took faith, perseverance, and guidance from God to make this tunnel. It is like in life. We can go through life blind not knowing where we are going or where God is leading us. We may make a false move and have to back track or go a different direction. In the tunnel it is a very narrow path and at times you can hit your head on the ceiling. Then you have the cool running water at your feet reminding you that there is an end to the tunnel where you can see again. Although it was an exciting adventure in that tunnel for us we were blind we could not see, but of course we did bring flash lights to see. In life though we do not get to have flash lights if we are in the dark. We are always searching for the light, seeking truth or answers. We want to get out of the hard or dark places in life so we can see the light again. When you are at the end of the tunnel there is a lot of rejoicing for  you accomplished the struggle you were facing through the help of God guiding you. It is important as Christ followers to be used by God to guide those who are not Christ followers to the light at the end of their dark and narrow tunnel. For there is rejoicing at the end of the tunnel and celebration. It even says in Luke 15:10 "I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."Even as Christ followers we can get lost and into a dark tunnel. God places people and scripture in your life so you can get through the tunnel. Usually though we recognize the cool waters at our feet reminding us there is light at the end of the tunnel. It brings hope to us knowing there is going to be an end. Although the men met in the middle and still were in the dark there was much rejoicing for they have brought light at the end of the tunnel through the guidance of their Lord. When they were rejoicing they chiseled a plaque to commemorate the meeting place of the two parties. I was sad that they took out the inscription from inside the tunnel. The British have it in a Museum. Being in Hezekiah's tunnel was one of my favorite experiences. 

What was even better today was not seeing Christ in the tomb. We went to the Garden tomb today as well. It was definitly a time of reflection and rejoicing the fact that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. He went through a brutal beating and died on the cross so we may go to heaven through a perfect sacrifice. Three days later he over came death, and 40 days after that he ascended into heaven to fulfill prophesy. Now we are waiting for his return. God loves us so much!

God thank you again for your love. You sent your perfect son to die an undeserving death, so that he can be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Thank you for his resurrection over coming death. Thank you for being my compass, although I do not follow your guidance all the time. I soon come to realize again I need you guiding me. Thank you for being that light at the end of the tunnel. I love you and praise your name! 

October 20, 2009

Today was such a beautiful hot day! We spent the entire day in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv sits right on the Mediterranean sea. There in Tel Aviv we went to a jewish museum. I thought the museum was very interesting. It went through the time periods teaching us the different traditions in the Jewish culture. What I found interesting was the very first exhibit was showing us that the Jewish culture is not made up of one race it is made up of many different races. I never thought of them as many different races and ethnicity, but I guess I never gave it much thought. If you think about it every religion has many different races and ethicities that make up the religion. In each religion the people share one type of bond and that is what they believe in. I loved looking at the different exibits on my own. We had aton speak, but it was very hard to listen to him sometimes. There is so much information that needs to be given at one time it is hard to process all the information you hear. I find the Jewish culture very interesting, and so I felt bad that it was hard for me to concentrate while trying to learn the culture. When we got to run free in the museum I loved that though. I got to go at my own pace and still learn as I go. 

My favorite part of today was goin to the Mediterranean sea! We got to swim and have a GREAT time. The water was very salty and so clear it was unbelievable. I could have stayed till the sun went down, but of course we had to get home for a delicious dinner. I can not believe how beautiful the land of Israel is. The climate and the topography of the region is so extreme. You could be in the Judean wilderness(desert), come to a beautiful Oasis, drive a little ways to get out of the desert and there is vegetation again, in Jerusalem you are walking distance to everything. Now i can finally say to my children and grandchildren back in my prime I walked up hill both ways in Israel. Again I marvel at God's creation and beauty. It was being in the Mediterranean being with incredible people who Love God so much and interact with playing water polo, chicken fight, sand ball fight, and yet draw myself back watching them and look at my surroundings praising God for his creation that I get to be apart in.  

Thank you Lord for your love and your beautiful creation.  

October 19, 2009

How great, mysterious, and creative our God is. I have never in my life been into a cave that has stalactites and stalagmites inside it. The particular cave we went into was not even discovered until 1948 when a bomb from the war made an opening on a side of a mountain  to uncover this beautiful cave. These stalactites and stalagmites were magnificant. It is crazy to hear how long these phenomenons take to become what they are now. The lady tour guide was saying it takes 50 years to create a centimeter of limestone (I think that was correct term). That is one of God's mysteries because I know those stalactites and stalagmites did not form at a rate of 1 cm per 50 years. If that was the case those stalactites and stalagmites would only be about 100 cm over a 5,000 year period. There are so many mysterious unanswered phenomenons that only God knows. We are not suppose to know everything. Our minds are too small to comprehend how GREAT God is. That is one thing I love about God is all the hidden surprises and mysteries that allow us to keep searching and seeking after him.

 

One other cool thing we did today was go to the place where David killed Goliath. Never in a million years did i picture the place where the Israelites and the Philistines fought looking like what it looked like.The picture you see to the left is where the Israelites were when they were being threatened by the philistines. Goliath is placing fear into the hearts of the israelites. When you are there you have the mountain you see here in the picture and then on the other side of the valley was not even a mountain it is a hill a lot smaller than the big rock you see here, and that is where the philistines were . The Israelites definitely had the greater advantage, but because the Philistines were stonger with iron it was hard for someone to take over their flat land. I had envisioned the Philistines on a mountain like the one you see in the picture and Israelites on a similar hill or just slightly smaller not the other way around. Praise God for people like David that can see the bigger picture when fear grabs a hold of our hearts. David saw that God can deliver his people out of the hands of the Philistines. Fear did not get the best of him. 

God thank you for being so mysterious. Reveal more of yourself to me as I seek you. You are never changing I am only changing in you. Thank you for creating the world and everything in it. There is beauty everywhere. God I do not want fear to get the best of me. God have me see the bigger picture in situations. God place people in my life that can be that David that see's the bigger picture if I am to foolish to see it myself. Allow me to be obedient to you. I love you and I praise you!

P.S. Dr. Waddell had the boys do a reenactment of the David and Goliath story. I video taped it. Here is the video. Enjoy the video it is hilarious!

October 18, 2009

Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Church of the Beatitudes, the Jordan River all in one day! What a fantastic day it has been! Last night was a great Shabbot service at a Messianic Jewish church. The message being given at the service was about LOVE. I think that message was perfect for today's adventures. God loves us so much that he sent his one and only son to die for us so we may go to heaven. We went to the Jordan river to get baptized today. This is the very river Jesus got baptized at. Jesus shows us how he loves God and how committed he is to love God and his people. It is like what the pastor said at the church. God has given us two commandments Matthew 22:37-39:

             "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

               and with all your mind. this is the first and greatest commandment.

              And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."

God has continually shown his love towards me every single day of my life, but really have I loved him with all my heart. Today I was recommiting my love for him. I loved what Dr. Waddell said today about married couples having a second marriage later in life. They are not getting married again to one another that is silly, they are simply recommiting their love for one another. Giving a public testimony of their recommittment to one another. Getting baptized again was showing that I am committed to love my Lord with all my heart, soul and mind. 

Also today we went to a church that was by the Sea of Galilee. It is said to have been built on the very rock that Jesus had made a fire where he reinstated Peter as a fisher of men not a fisher of fish. You can find the story in John 21(side note: It does not say that their was a rock that Jesus made a fire on...so I really do not think this was the actual place, but who knows. We aren't made to know everything). Jesus says to Peter three times do you love me. Here again Love pops up. Love is the center of everything. Peter had gone back to what he was familiar with and that was fishing for fish. He thought because he had betrayed Jesus he no longer had that same calling by God to be a fisher of men. You can see in Mark 1:17 that Simon Peter was called to be a fisher of men. How many times do we not feel worthy of continuing down the path God has for us because we have betrayed him in some form. We can be like Peter taking things into our own hands because it can be easier to do. We may think that we are no longer in God's will and we cannot get back to the path God is leading us down. Let me ask you these questions...Do you truly love Jesus? Do you truly love Jesus more than whatever you are going through? Are you willing to put down your nets again and follow him? Let me tell you this it is not to late to put them down. Just because you have turned away from God's purpose for your life does not mean that you are unworthy. Once God has worked in your life and has changed you do not go back to what he took you out of. To God that is saying you love whatever it is more than him. God loves you so much he continuely gives you chances to follow him. This is called unconditional love. No matter what you do, no matter what you go through in life, no matter what battles you are facing, no matter what good times you are having, no matter what happens God Love you so much! That is the greatest love I can ever want and need. In the Kim Walker's song called How he loves us. The song that I have is sung live somewhere. She says in the middle of the song "without the  love of God it is just like we are making noise, but the love of God changes us we are never the same when we encounter the love of God...if you want to encounter the love of God right now embrace yourself because he about to blow into this place." Right now I encourage you to encounter the love of God! You are worthy! God does not want you to be alone on your path have him guide you and be with you always. Embrace him. He is reaching out for you to embrace him! He has a warm embrace. 

God right now I want to encounter you...I want to put my nets down and follow you. God you love me so much and I want to give you back the love you have given me to you and to the people you place in the path you lead me down. I can be like Peter taking things into my own hands, and not allowing you to guide me. God your path will never be easy, but I know that path is the right path for me. I love you so much and I thank you for loving me unconditionally. 

October 15, 2009

Okay today was incredible. My favorite stories are of David. When reading Leap Over a Wall by Eugene Peterson, David's stories had come more alive in my soul. Especially when he was in the wilderness. Today we had gone down from Jerusalem to En Gedi by the Dead sea. Driving to En Gedi it was a barren waste land. for miles you could not see any source of life. Of course you had farmers that had irrigation to farm by the dead sea, but I guarantee you that those plants that were on the farm weren't there 4,000 years ago when David was there. It was all desert. Dry a hundred million degrees and he and his followers could only find relief in the caves around the cliffs and the beautiful Oasis at En Gedi. You come to En Gedi and it is an Oasis. This is where David was when he was in a cave and Saul was in his cave relieving himself. David had a perfect moment to strike at King Saul, but did not because King Saul was God's anointed king. Spring water come up out of the ground and provide shade and water to drink. Then you can quickly see where water does not get to because it is just rocks and more rocks no life at all. Dr. Waddell had us write psalms when we were at En Gedi. David wrote many of his psalms here in the wilderness. here is my Psalm that I will share:

God I magnify your name. You

are with me in this barren land.

Isolated from all unrighteousness.

God you have place me in David's

wilderness. A wilderness where you

seek truth. Your beauty is seen here

through his barren land. Pools of

life spring forth from here. Giving

hope and life to all who come near.

How refreshing are the springs,

bringing life back into this barren

land. God it is good to know you are

always with me in this barren land.

Providing all that I need to survive.

I love you Lord.

Being at En Gedi was very refreshing. I needed this. I have felt like I have been in a wilderness, and coming to an oasis has brought me back to realizing that through all hardships God is always there giving me life. The springs there were very cool and refreshing to me symbolizes Gods word being refreshing to me soul. The shade provides relief from the scorching sun. This symbolizes God protecting me from harmful things of this world. Although I catch myself being of this world, I go back to God because i know he is with me. His truth sets me free from all unrighteousness.

God thank you so much breathing life into me. Being with me always through good times and bad times. I love you so much.

October 14, 2009

Today walking up and down the very steps that Jesus is thought to have taken to Caiaphas when he was arrested was an incredible experience. I could have stayed there for hours praying on those steps. God is so good to us. God sent his perfect Son to die on the cross for us. Jesus knew the persecution and the rejection he was about to endure for his people. He was willing to sacrifice himself so that we may not suffer. Him living a perfect life allowed us to have a more direct personal relationship with our Lord rather than go through any type of Rabbi for forgiveness. God you love me that much!

Today while we were in the cistern that was turned into a jail cell where jesus was kept over night in Caiaphas' house, we read Psalm 88. Reading that passage and relating it to Jesus being inside that jail cell alone with God in the Dark. I realized sometimes we place Jesus as a higher being. What I mean is we do not see Jesus as human here on earth. The image that comes into my mind is the paintings with Jesus in them, and sometimes he has a halo around his head signifying his importance. Of course Christ is important, but we neglect his emotions that Jesus experienced here on earth. He was human just like the rest of us, but he was human living a life in the world and not of the world. He was not loved by all, he ate, drank, slept, cried, laughed, angry (not sinful anger) at the people who sold merchandise in the temple, tempted, persecuted, beaten for no reason, and died on a cross for us. Jesus experienced things that we experienced as a human and yet he was fully God perfect and blameless.

Thank you God for sending your son to be the savior of the world. Allow me to have an attitude like Jesus.

My Israel Journal

This blog at the moment is my journal for my time in Israel. I know I forgot to post this before I wrote my above journal entry, but now you know.

Dr. Waddell when you are reading my journal entries I will have the date listed at the top of each post. Those are the ones you can read as my journal entries, the others I will give other titles so you do not have to read them if you do not want to.

Everyone Enjoy what I have to say about my experiences. Love you all! Have a GREAT and WONDERFUL day! I will see everyone in a couple of weeks!

October 13, 2009

I was thinking earlier today of what is was like traveling everywhere before all the wonderful inventions like the automobile. Since the beginning of time people have walked everywhere. If they needed to go somewhere people just walked, or if they had horses, camels, elephants, of course they had something else to get around on. But mainly walking. People did not even have tennis shoes to have a nice more comfortable walk, they just wore sandals...maybe even with their own bare feet. Today we did a lot of walking. All our destinations we went to were by foot. Although cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles are nice you do not get a feel of the culture around you when you are on or in them. The details you notice when walking rather than riding in a car. In a car you never get to experience an open market through the Arab section of town and the owners of the different stores trying to get you to buy something. You do not get to notice the writing on the walls of building, or little Arab kids playing tag in the streets. Something as simple as that you do not get to experience. Walking takes time, and in our fast pace little world we do not get to notice the culture around us and we can miss out on little lessons God is trying to show us through the settings you are walking through or the many ministry opportunities you may miss by driving in a car to your destination, or the relationships you can build with the people around you. Today we could have easily gotten in our little air conditioned bus and go a mile down the road to the Tower of David Museum and walk around the museum, and then have the bus pick us up at the lions gate where we stopped our walk around the walls of Jerusalem. Today I can say I have gotten a small glimpse of what it is like walking everywhere around Jerusalem. With the time you have walking you get to know the people you are with, you have a chance to talk about things that you see that trigger a memory, a thought, or even knowledgeable question about the culture you see. You can truly appreciate your surrounding go around in Aw of all that you see. Please do not think that I am shunning transportation and thing it is bad. In other forms of transportation you get to see many other fascinating things that you would not be able to see if you are walking. For instance I can guarantee it that I would not be here in Israel if I only had my feet to walk on unless of course I was walking distance from this beautiful country.

Here in Jerusalem you see a melting pot of people coming together and living in the same community. In Jerusalem you have Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Christian, tourists, and other types of people I can't think of right now living very close together in a small community yet heavily populated community. They are all dressed differently and hold different traditions. Our tour guide...at this moment I forgot his name...shame on me right...anyways, was saying that you should feel very safe here. He knows that Israel and Jerusalem are always on the news and you hear about this happened and oh and this happened over there, and it can get you scared to come to visit. He told us it is very safe here. He was saying that parents allow their kids to go around the streets and play and they do not have to worry because they know they are safe. He was saying that bad things happen everywhere. Even in Sarasota,FL you have to be careful where you go. there is gang violence and murders, stealing, drug use, and any other sin that can entangle us. I totally believe what he says, I feel very safe. People have asked me are you worried about going to Jerusalem because what is going on over there...and my basic response was no. Since there has been bombing and conflict here security has bumped up and there are cameras everywhere. You see police men and women on almost every corner and if you do not see them they see you through the cameras they have up throughout the city. Everywhere you go in the world there will be trouble, but why have that trouble keep you from doing something you want to do. Do not live a life of always being paranoid. King Herod lived a life of being paranoid because he would always kill off his wifes, children, servants, and friends because he thought they were going to take away his throne. In the end of his days he became a bitter man. Life is too short not to take a risk. I am not saying a risk like bungee jumping the Nile river or free climbing a mountain I mean fears that you may have that can stop you from doing something great. Of course you have to have discernment on situations, but don't make your life full of disappointments. Have God lead you down your path. It may not be the path you always want to take, but you will learn a great deal. Do not become bitter and harden your heart. Walk down the street wherever you live,go downtown, go to the beach, and just watch the people you see. Pray over the city in which you live in. Take that risk. Ask God for discernment...learn about the culture you live in. We as Christians live in the world, but we must not be of the world. Have an open mind of the things around you.

What I want to get out of this trip is learn about the culture around me here in Jerusalem. Keep an open mind and heart to the things around me. Learn to walk and observe people, build relationships with people that I would have not otherwise. I know that I will be learning about the bible, God, cultures, people, periods of time, and the list goes on but that does not mean that my eyes should not be open to my surrounding culture. I want to love on the people here. As simple as a smile can brighten anyones day.

God I am so thankful for your beautiful people. You made us so uniquely. We all have our own culture that we have immersed ourselves in, and we can experience or get a glimpse of how other peoples cultures are like. God give me discernment. Guide me to what you want me to do. God I am in information over load right now, and just help me take it all in. God place people in my life that need to be touched by you. God have me listen to you. I love and praise you.