Israel 2007 - Day 5: Running for Strength

We started the day with a visit to Ein Gedi. It’s the spot that David fled to when he was running for his life from Saul. The little boy was anointed king, then he defeated Goliath, then he spent a lot of years running for his life.

Feel like there are areas of your life where you’re just running? Can you believe that God might actually be shaping you and strengthening you for your future?

A few months ago I invited a few leaders in our church to pray for me. I was feeling stuck. A lot of it was based in fear that I'm not capable of doing what God is asking of me. We talked about where those fears originated and asked God to heal them at their source.

A combination of factors led me to believe at a young age that I didn’t belong, that I didn’t fit in, and that nobody liked me. Those sound like such clichés as I type them, but for many years those feelings were a constant reality.

What God helped me to see during that prayer time was that the enemy had been lying to me. Instead of those lonely times being a sign that I wasn’t loved, just the opposite was true. Like David, alone with his sheep, I was being protected and prepared for a future that was bigger and better than I could have known.

The same is true for each of God’s children. When we listen to Him and obey Him, He takes every bit of suffering in our lives and uses it for good. But it takes courage and faith—especially when you feel like you’re running for your life. But believe God’s promise: you’re not running to survive; you’re running for strength. You’re being shaped and strengthened for your future!

Next was Masada—a mountaintop fortress build by Herod the Great (the same guy that built Caesarea, the city I wrote about on Day 2). Everybody hated that guy because he tried to make everybody happy. He was a technically a Jew (his family had been forced to convert during the Hasmonean era), but he was a puppet of the Roman government. He built this fortress as his personal backup plan in case either the Jews or the Romans decided to get rid of him.

Here are a few other pics of the stunning mountain fortress:






After Masada, we took a float in the Dead Sea. What a bizarre experience! There’s so much salt in the water (about 30% salt as compared to the 3% that’s in the ocean) that it causes people to be more buoyant.

The day ended with the opening session of the Foursquare Convention. How amazing to be with about 3,000 other Foursquare leaders praising God, having fun, and learning about our heritage in His Holy Land!

Israel 2007: Days 5-8 Very Full Days During Convention

For these days in Jerusalem, the schedule is very full. The Foursquare Convention is running in the morning, then we're touring in the afternoon, and then more Convention in the evening!

Needless to say, that's not leaving a lot of time for sharing what's going on here on the blog.

In the meantime, check out this entry in Hilary's blog.

Also, keep your eye on Peter Otvos' blog for updates.

Also, here's my Picasa photo album from the trip.

Israel - Day 4: Rise Up Valiant Warrior!

I woke up today to this beautiful sunrise over the Sea of Galilee. Of course there are many places that we’re seeing that have changed a lot since Bible times. But this sight is exactly the one Jesus and many other heroes of our faith would have seen when they woke up each morning.

Our first stop along the way was at the Biblical city of Beth Shean. This was a Philistine city during the rule of King Saul. After they defeated the Israelites, they displayed Saul’s headless body on its walls. In New Testament times it was a major Roman city called Scythopolis, but it didn’t figure prominently in any of the stories we’re familiar with. The ruins were incredible.

A few people from our group sang “Forever” in the middle of the theater to test out the acoustics of the incredible ancient structure. You can see our singers in the middle of the huge stage.

Our small worship team in a gladiator pose.

Our group sitting on the dozens of stone latrines in the public restroom. Apparently privacy wasn’t a priority.

The carvings in these ruins were exquisite.

Can anyone translate this?

Our next stop was at the springs of Harod where Gideon stopped with his troops before the battle with the Midianites. This is where God reduced his army to a mere 300 men to battle the massive army opposing them.

We underestimate God. We overanalyze ourselves. Like a virus that crashes a computer fear absolutely wreaks havoc with our ability to hear and respond to God’s voice. Like Gideon, we tend to think of all the reasons why we can’t do what God is speaking to us. But God speaks to us just as He did to Gideon, “Rise up, O valiant warrior!”

God wasn’t just having fun playing games with Gideon and his army. He wasn’t just showing off. He was teaching them that with Him they would always be a majority. In fact, it’s often the areas we feel least qualified in that He wants us to use in the battle. Not because He wants to humiliate us, but because He wants us to glorify Him.

Can you feel the Lord wanting to look you in the eyes and commanding you to rise up as a valiant warrior? Where do you feel disqualified and tempted to run away? Be specific. Maybe even write it down or share it with a friend.

On the road to Jerusalem we made a quick refreshments stop. In the parking lot there were some camels we could ride for $5. What a crack up!

We finished the day with a stop at the top of the Mount of Olives where we took this picture of Jerusalem. Totally got goosebumps as we read prophecies regarding Jesus' second coming. Especially this one:

In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. Zechariah 14:4

It was blowing my mind to be standing on top of the mountain we were reading about! I half expected to feel the earthquake start rumbling right on the spot. But the mountain didn't split. Yet...

For more, check out Peter Otvos' blog.

Israel 2007 - Day 3: He Still Calms Storms

We started off our day with a ride on a boat like this one across the Sea of Galilee (our guide keeps reminding us that it’s technically a lake because it’s fresh water). It was amazing to be there and see the place I’ve read about so many times. Numerous stories about Jesus’ ministry take place with him in a boat or on Galilee’s shores. As with any experience, looking at pictures and maps really don’t capture the reality.

While we were motoring along I took the opportunity to share with everyone about how Jesus calmed the storm that day. Why did He wait until they were afraid for their lives? Why didn’t He just help them survive it instead of dramatically commanding the storm to cease? For that matter, why did He fall asleep in the first place?

It’s because He wants to teach us, to show us who He really is. He knew that the storm was coming when He fell asleep and He knew the fright that the disciples would feel when they were sure they would die. But He also knew that only doing it this way would cause the disciples to ask the question, “Who is this man that even the wind and waves obey His command?”

What storms in your life is God allowing so that He can show you more of who He is? Where are you tempted to underestimate Him? Where have you ignored Him in your own futile efforts to save yourself? Where have you resented the fact that He hasn’t acted sooner?

Some other shots from our boat ride:

A 2,000 year old boat from Jesus’ era that was recovered from Galilee’s floor.

The beautiful trees on the hillside of the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached His famous sermon. After reading through sections from Matthew 5-7, Hilary and I led several of the couples in our group in renewing their vows. Lots of hugs and tears.

It was about 104 degrees today. That’s me cooling off.

The ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum where Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah.

Some of the decorations around the synagogue:

Hilary and I on the Golan Heights overlooking the Sea of Galilee (on it’s east side near the Syrian border).

We ended the day at the Jordan River at the site especially set up for baptisms. They had some funky tunics for us to wear that added a bit of entertainment value to the experience. Many people in our group were excited to make a fresh statement of surrender to the Lord and were re-baptized today (including me!). Not only was it incredibly refreshing, but it was spiritually powerful. Somehow the renewal of the wedding vows and the baptisms seemed to go hand in hand. What an amazing day.

For more, check out Peter Otvos' blog.

Israel 2007 - Day 2: No Longer Hesitate

After a breakfast with options that spanned from whole pickled anchovies to poached eggs with a spicy marinara-esque sauce to cheese, olives, fresh squeezed juices, and so on, we departed with our tour bus to Caesarea. Herod the Great (the king in power at the time of Jesus' birth) built this city from scratch (right up from the sand dunes). This photo is of Itai (our tour guide) filling us in on the historical and biblical details as we sat in the great theater.

Among the hundreds of ruins in Caesarea, I loved this carved lion's head.

This point was the site of Herod's palace. It is probably the location that Paul and Agrippa's conversation took place that's recorded in Acts 26. The moment of drama came with the lines,

Paul: "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."

Agrippa: "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

Paul: "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."

Lord, give us all such courage! Let us be people of courage and conviction that we could face our deaths with such boldness.

Some of the guys...

A brief foot-dipping in the beautiful Mediterranean.

The view from the top of Mt. Carmel. This is the site of the dramatic conflict between Elijah and the priests of Baal recorded in 1 Kings 18. I felt the Lord speak something specific to our group in the question that Elijah challenged the people of Israel with, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him" (v. 21).

This is a battle we are each in every day. Will we boldly follow God's instruction for our lives or will we hesitate, ambivalent in our desire -- torn between a desire to follow God and the felt need for the "security" our idols provide. On that day after God proved Himself by answering with fire from above, Elijah led the 450 priests of Baal to the valley floor below and executed them. I encouraged our group to take the same determined, bold action with the areas of hesitation in their lives.

What are the "false priests" in your life? What voices distract you from hearing God's voice and make you pause instead of following Him with wholehearted conviction? It's time to step up our determination to eliminate those thoughts.

A tomb carved into the hillside. The round stone is the same kind that would have been "rolled away" from the entrance to Jesus' tomb after He was risen.

Some ruins of a site of Baal worship still existing in the ruins of the biblical city of Megiddo. Despite God's constant instruction to completely destroy these sites, they still exist to this day in the middle of the ruins. The Israelites never fully obeyed His command.

Amazing how easy it is to satisfy ourselves with only partial obedience.

The view of the valley adjacent to Megiddo. Also known as Armageddon. Amazing that history as we know it will come to an end at this site.

The beauty and peace that we felt there was such a contrast to the weird kind of doom I've felt every other time I've heard the name of that valley. Just another example of how the best plan is to just trust the Lord with our future. There's no point in fearing anything because He's promised the victory. The reason He tells us about the end times is not so that we will be afraid, but so that we can have confidence!

Some of the ladies relaxing during our lunch break.

Hilary and I standing on the edge of Mt. Precipice. This is a cliff on the outskirts of Nazareth. When Jesus returned to His hometown to preach the gospel, it didn't go so well. The people got pretty mad and they actually:

...got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way. Luke 4:29-30

The rest of the group on the same site.

After a long, sweaty day we decided to go out swimming in the Sea of Galilee. Unfortunately every beach was closed. So we had a nice 40 minute search in vain. Someone was joking about how similar it was to the Israelites wandering for 40 years looking for the Promised Land. We all got a good laugh out of that.

Israel 2007 - Day 1: A Warm Reception to Israel

We made it! When we felt the warm, humid air wash over us as we exited the plane, someone commented, "What a warm reception!"

The entire Israel group has landed safely and is checked into our hotel in Tel Aviv. The flights were very smooth. I actually was able to sleep better than any other time I've made the transatlantic flight. So I'm very happy!

We enjoyed an incredible dinner – all kosher and very tasty (lamb with mushroom sauce, Nile-caught fish, about six different kinds of olives, various salads, etc.).

After dinner, a bunch of us decided to go for a walk along the beach. Brad King, Shirley Hashimoto, Patty Clark, Thomas Goode and I actually jumped in the water for a quick swim in the Mediterranean as the sun set! Stunning.

To be honest for a moment, one of the things I've been a little nervous about as we've been prepping for the trip is that I've never been here before. I'm learning at the same pace as everyone else. I've felt like I wanted to help lead in a way that would make the trip every bit as significant as it ought to be for each person. I never want my lack of experience to cost someone else.

But as I've realized many times before, all that nervousness isn't really necessary. That's because it isn't about how much we know, but about how much we love. As we were splashing in the warm water a few minutes ago, I breathed a sigh of gratefulness.

Thank you Lord that the most powerful things in your Kingdom are the simplest. That love and friendship will make the journey to Israel (and the journey of the rest of our lives) exactly what it's supposed to be.