Without a doubt, the most EMOTIONAL day of the trip - so far.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
MT. OF OLIVES - GETHSEMANE - YAD VASHEM
Without a doubt, the most EMOTIONAL day of the trip - so far.
QUMRAN - DEAD SEA - EN GEDI - MASADA
I’m blogging a couple of days worth today because I’ve been too busy (and tired) to make it happen here.
The past couple of days have been some of the most amazing days possible. There are a few locations I’ll skip here, because the highs are so high and I’ll stick to those for now.
- A visit to QUMRAN on the Dead Sea. This is the discovery place of the Dead Sea Scrolls back in the 1940s. A little boy found them in a cave high up in a rock outcropping. They authenticate the Scriptures, including the entire book of Isaiah written on one continuous scroll. Every book in the Bible is represented, excluding the book of Esther. Some of these scrolls would pre-date Jesus and are still legible, which is utterly amazing.
Following our visit to Qumran, we visited a Dead Sea spa. The Dead Sea is the lowest spot on earth and contains many times the mineral content of other bodies of water - up to 31% of it mineral-based. That makes for some ‘heavy’ water. All I had time to do was stick my feet in it for 3 minutes, but when i came out, my feet felt oily and slippery. It is famous as a spa here in the desert of Israel.
- En Gedi was our next stop, just up the road from the Dead Sea spa area. It is a natural oasis in the desert, mentioned in Scripture as the area where David hid from an angry Saul in the Old Testament. It was here I was privileged to give a devotional based on “GOD IS OUR REFUGE,” one of the themes of David’s writings while he was living in these caves.
* MASADA came next. It has been made famous by the movie that bears its name. Situated high on a flat hill, it was the last showdown for Israelites against invading forces. Nearly everyone on Masada died at their own hands before the invading forces finally crashed thru the walls. We road a cable car to get up to the site. MASADA is pictured above.
And be blessed.
Friday, January 29, 2010
CAPARNAUM-SEA OF GALILEE-GOLAN HEIGHTS - JORDAN RIVER
Today in Israel began with an amazing breakfast buffet at THE SCOTS HOTEL in Tiberias ... I can't even begin to write all that was on the buffet ... just know this: they serve hot chocolate cake for BREAKFAST. My kind of place.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
TIBERIAS
We flew into Israel today. The time difference from Central U.S. Time is 7 hours. The plane ride was fairly uneventful, except for the fact that I ended up in a center seat for 10 hours of flying with my 6'5" frame, four feet of which is legs.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
NIGHT BEFORE
Monday, January 25, 2010
STRENGTHSFINDER
Sunday, January 24, 2010
CAIROS
And if you were to read just one more phrase in that verse you would find the place Paul is as he writes those very words is in prison. If you were in prison --- asking people for prayer, what do you think you might ask them to pray for? Safety – maybe an EARLY RELEASE?
But Paul doesn't say anything about getting out of jail. Instead, he says, “Ask God to open a door (and he doesn’t mean the JAIL door). He’s asking God to cause the Gospel to spread.
Just don't stop asking … and they didn't stop asking. And by those prayers, the first century followers turned the world upside down.
In Colossians 4:5, Paul says, ‘Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders ... ‘ He says that because someday maybe they won't be outsiders anymore. Someday maybe they'll be believers. All day long you see people who don’t have a personal faith in Christ – where you work --- in your neighborhood – where you shop --- where you buy gas and get groceries --- where you go to school --- at your favorite restaurant.
Start praying, ‘Lord, open a door for me.’ Then, as you pray that - say, ‘God, help me be open to moments of opportunity.'
Then ... after Paul says to conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, he next says: "making the most of the time" or the ‘opportunity.'
The Greeks used two words for “time.” One of them was the word “chronos.” We get our word "chronology" from that. It's just another tick on the clock.
But a second word they would use was the word “cairos,” and that would describe a crossroads --- what we would call a defining moment. “Cairos” is the word Paul uses here.
What he’s saying is, there's going to be defining moments in the lives of people around you --- moments when, for whatever reason, maybe after years of hardness, their hearts suddenly open to God.
That's how it happened for each of us who have come to faith in Christ. We had that defining ‘cairos’ moment. Even though there had been years and years of nothing - no answer - somebody said, "I'll persevere. I’m not giving up." And after years of ‘chronos,’ TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK, there was ‘cairos.’
So here's the question ... WHAT IF WE WERE TO SPEND THIS NEXT YEAR ASKING AND ASKING AND ASKING GOD TO OPEN DOORS FOR US, AND HE DID?
What if we spent this whole year, as a community of Christ-followers, determined more than ever to ask God to use us to offer the HOPE of theGospel in this city more powerfully than has ever happened before -- and He DID?
What if every single one of us said --“God, give me at least ONE person who doesn't know You in January … come to know You by December?” And … what if we gather next December, and hundreds of people have walked through the doors of faith --- and we look at each other and say, "All year, we just kept praying and asking, praying and asking, praying and asking - we didn’t give UP ... and God did it?"
And be blessed.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
VALUES
Your life is full of both negotiables and non-negotiables. Your non-negotiables are your top priorities. We might call them your 'values.' They describe who you intend to be. They identify you. They are the passionate core philosophy that drives what you do. They are what help you make your life decisions. They uniquely define who you are and how you choose to live.
Sometimes two of your own values come into conflict with one another. We all have this HIERARCHY of values, in fact.
For instance, you probably value HONESTY. You probably also value your FAMILY. What happens when you lose your job and have absolutely no money coming in and have to think about what your five children are going to eat tomorrow night? A father is faced with that dilemma and he ends up going out and stealing some food so his family can eat. His value of FAMILY, in this case, trumps his value of HONESTY.
If you're a follower of Christ, hopefully you value PEOPLE WHO ARE LOST COMING TO CHRIST. You most likely also value PURITY. But what happens when your children end up making friends with and going over to spend time with other children/students who do drugs because they are not followers of Christ? Many times, our value of PURITY trumps the value of LOST PEOPLE In our lives. We don’t want our children hanging around with people who do drugs because it may negatively impact them, so we make them stay away from such people. Our value of PURITY, in this case, trumps our value of BEFRIENDING LOST PEOPLE.
During World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her family hid Jews from the Germans in their home. TRUTH was a value for her, but so was SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE. When the police came knocking on her door, which did she place on top? If she told the truth, the people she had hid would be drug into the street and killed. If she lied, they would likely live. She lied because her human life value was greater.
We all have that conflict.
Your personal core values are the ones that, when they come into conflict with each other, these values win. They are what you get passionate about.
So --- what are your personal core values? Do you know? Have you ever thought about it?
And be blessed.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
SAD
Haiti continues to be on our hearts and minds. I've read article after article about the catastrophe. And I've seen pictures. The concept that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ has never been truer than it has with the images we’ve seen coming back from that country.
Words and pictures are fundamentally different modes of communication that have totally different effects.
Consider the content below ...
THE BOY IS SAD.
Does that sentence have any impact on you? For most of us, it is merely a statement that conveys an idea, but it is an idea most likely devoid of any real emotional significance. Now, scroll down and consider the same message using a different medium ...
Does that affect you any differently? The content of the image is essentially the same as that conveyed in the written description, yet the impact for most of us is radically different. The written statement brings up all kinds of questions ... What boy? Do I really believe he’s sad? How sad is he? Why is he said? But one glance at the picture leaves no doubt whatsoever ... the boy is sad.
So we pray for the Haitians and we know ...
THERE IS AN ANSWER.
Again ... they are just words. I don’t know if those words strike you as hopeful or optimistic or rose-colored or just wishful thinking. If you think that, then scroll down and consider this instead ...
Sunday, January 17, 2010
LAMPSTAND
And I think sometimes we just get distracted --- and it is at that point we find ourselves asking: ‘Wait! Why is the lampstand over there? What are we doing fighting over things that really aren’t worrisome to God when there is a world out there waiting to hear about Him?'
I understand you have a right to an opinion on issues – and you should certainly bear convictions. But as far as the church is concerned, don’t ask us to move the lampstand away from its rightful position … because people need to see Christ first.
In the first century, Paul and Barnabas actually left the mission field to return to Jerusalem for an emergency meeting of church leaders. And the topic facing them in this instance was a wild one – circumcision.
We need people today who are willing to say: ’We are NOT here to make it difficult for you to come into the Kingdom. We want to make it EASY for people to find and experience God.’ And do you know how we DO that? We keep the lampstand shining on nothing and no one else but JESUS … so it will be easy to find Him.
And be blessed.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
HAITI
Monday, January 11, 2010
EVANGELISM
Still others put way too much stock in the almighty invitation. That worked to get some baby boomers back in church, but it made us grow accustomed to people 'coming back' to church. Now, fewer and fewer have a heritage to return to period.
We must not teach people that inviting others to church is evangelism. It can be PART of it, but evangelism necessitates more ... specifically 'telling the Good News of Jesus.'
And be blessed.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
HAND
You and I aren't under any kind of persecution like the early Christians were, but we are no less in the mighty hand of a great God.
If you are a believer, God's mighty hand has created you TWICE. First in your mother’s womb. Then, when you came to faith, He created you ... again.
You were dead in your sins, but God re-created you in new life. Your new birth was all of God and none of you. God’s mighty hand did it.
I was just reminded of His great hand while we were with our grandson over Christmas. At one point, we both took a little nap and this picture was shot -- his hand and my hand.
And be blessed.
Friday, January 8, 2010
HOUSEHOLD
What it means to be part of an earthly household are the same things it means to be part of a heavenly one.
It gives us the privilege of adoption. We now live in the same house with God and His family. All the experiences of His family are now ours:
Love
Care
Clothing
Food
Shelter
Provision
Protection
Attention
Interest
Concern
Training
Discipline
Help
Direction
Intimacy
Companionship
Along with all that comes the privilege of responsibility and service. Every person in the household has duties (chores) to perform. Each has some service to render for the sake of the whole family. We are responsible to love, care, provide for and teach each other.
'Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My BROTHER and My SISTER.' (Matthew 12:50)
Glad you're in the family.
And be blessed.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
7 THINGS
According to Yahoo!, we as consumers should expect to see more revolutionary products taking over for old mainstays. DVDs, books, newspapers and magazines will continue to lose ground to in-home movie rentals and gadgets like the Amazon Kindle. I have one already (see August 26, 2009 blog).
So - just to keep you on top of things, not just theologically and spiritually, but also economically (this is a full service blog) - here are seven items not to buy in 2010 unless you want to risk some serious irrelevance ...
DVDs --- The days of going to a video store to rent a movie are near an end. Sorry Blockbuster! This past September, they said they had plans to close nearly a quarter of their stores by the end of this year. Even buying dvds is going to be risky. They cost, on average, $20 each. That's pricier than signing up for Netflix or renting on-demand.
Home telephone service --- Home landlines could become as archaic as the rotary phone. Today, more than one-in-five U.S. homes have cellphones only. That was up from barely 10% just 3 years ago. (We're getting rid of ours as soon as I can get up to Milwaukee to drop off the unit - required by Time Warner to drop your landline.) Not to mention Skype --- it's free when you communicate with other Skype users via the internet.
Compact digital cameras --- They are likely to be eclipsed by something called the single-lens reflex (SLR) camera.
Newspaper subscriptions --- The past few years have been unkind to the publishing industry. Newspaper advertising revenues have declined by 18%. Average daily circulation at major newspapers has fallen 10%. Magazines have fared little better. In 2009, more than 360 magazines shut down. The morning newspaper has been replaced by a growing online media presence — much of which is accessible for nothing. (The Taylor's are still holding on here, but not daily like we used to -- only a couple of times a week with the newspaper.)
CDs --- When was the last time you bought a CD or even walked into a record store? The past decade was one of the worst for the industry. In the beginning, there was Napster. Then came iTunes. Face it, CDs aren't coming back.
New college textbooks --- We just bought all of Olivia's University books for her upcoming Spring Semester at North Central University. Full price cost would have been $598.00. We bought used ones on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. Our final cost? $173.00.
Gas-guzzling cars --- Some of us are fighting that, but it's a losing battle. Land Rover, we knew you well.
Enjoy 2010. It proves to be an amazing ride.
And be blessed.
Monday, January 4, 2010
JANUARY 2010
January, 2010. Let that sink in.
Last time I looked it was 2004 or something.
For me, this isn't just one more decade. For me, it is the decade my children will come into their own. By 2020, they'll be in their prime. They'll be the 'established' generation ... the 'primary' generation. And I will have moved on to something else.
With the speed of change in the past ten years, it seem obvious and evident that this decade will move at least as swiftly as the last ten years. It is daunting to think what the future holds, yet it is our reality.
According to Relevant magazine, there are some vital questions Christianity will have to answer by the close of this decade ... gene manipulation, nuclear war, global warming, human dignity, global migration and pandemic disease.
These represent issues with far-reaching moral implications and as believers, we need to be wrestling with what they mean -- even more than non-believers do.
Having said all that, I am optimistic about the future. This generation wants to change the world and they seem poised to do it. They see injustice and are ready to step up to fight it. They see corruption and want to punish the evildoers and make it right. They are passionate, creative and connected like never before.
With that kind of energy, anything is possible with God. This is the decade that will be our-decade-to-join-forces ... my kids' generation and my generation. It's exciting to think we might be able to make an impact ... together.
And be blessed.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
FOLLOWER
Here’s what’s happened in many churches. We’ve adopted these good business principles and we’ve assumed: ‘If it works in the corporate world, it must work in the CHURCH,’ and we’ve tried to combine Christianity and capitalism – and as a result we’ve made it appear that church is for US … it’s for YOU … it’s for ME. And the reason we sing and worship – is for you. And we’ve started to sell a product where we make Jesus look as appealing as possible to the people who are already in. Then we start to gauge the success of our corporation according to how many satisfied customers we have. But Jesus says that’s not how we measure it.
Because the church sometimes sends a message that says, ‘Whatever you want, you can get it here.' But the real message of the Gospel is … GIVE UP EVERYTHING. And those two things often collide, and if we’re not watchful, we can replace the message of JESUS, the King, that says, ‘deny yourself' with the message of BURGER King – ‘Have it your way.' And that doesn’t create followers – it creates fans.
And here’s just the honest truth about most fans. They’re fans as long as their team is doing well – but when it starts going South, they lose their enthusiasm and they move on. You see that a lot in sports --- and you see it in the Christian walk. As long as Jesus is holding up His end of the deal, then yeah, we’ll be here and we’ll be cheering – but when problems come – or money struggles hit – or we can’t find a job – or health reports come back not what we expected – we start to ‘boo’ Jesus just a little.
We’re fans as long as the banners are being hung from the rafters – but when the commitment gets tested, we get rid of the season tickets and we call the sports radio talk show to complain – that’s what fans do.
Jesus would often say things that would test the commitment level of those in the crowd. He wants to know who’s with Him, so He turns to them and says: ‘Unless you hate your father and mother compared to Me, you can’t be My disciple.’ And the crowd starts to thin out.
He takes some fish and bread and feeds thousands – they love Him for that – they’re fans – “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” – they’re all cheering - and then He quiets them and says: ‘Unless you eat and drink of Me, you can’t be My follower.’ And the crowd starts to thin out.
And He might put money on one side – and Himself on the other.
He might put a relationship on one side – and Himself on the other.
Where do you stand? – with Me or with that other thing? – FAN or FOLLOWER?
Luke 14:33 - "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple."
'Wait, wait, wait … what about ... ?' Nope – everything … or you can’t be My disciple.
And be blessed.
Friday, January 1, 2010
RESOLUTIONS
Lose weight
Eat less fast food
Travel more
Get back in touch with friends
Work better and harder
Exercise more
Be more spiritual
Get out of debt
Have deeper relationships
Relax more
And i was thinking ...
WORST? What's worse than wanting your body, soul and spirit to be healthy and in check?
UNCREATIVE and GENERIC? Maybe, but the really clever ones don't mean anything. Like, 'My New Year's resolution is to not make any New Year's resolutions.' Or, 'My New Year's resolution is to learn to speak Mandarin this year.' Gimme a break. If uncreative means 'real' and 'practical' and something actually useful to a better, more God-honoring life, I'll take uncreative any day.
AWFUL? No. Awful is, 'I will eat ice cream every night this year at midnight just before bedtime' (actual resolution). Awful is, 'I will stop considering other people's feelings when they so obviously don't consider mine' ... and ... 'This year I'm going to stop being so nice to people' (actual resolutions). Awful is, 'I will quack like a duck first thing every morning and last thing every night' (actual resolution).
So - do you know what my top ten resolutions for 2010 are? You just read them at top. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
And be blessed.