Israel - March 3, 2010

March 3, 2010

The day started very early, in that I am still struggling with the time change. I slept decently and rolled out of bed around 5:30. I semi-share a balcony with a couple from FBC Newcastle (Jerry and Peggy) and we visited and watched the sun rise over the mountains on the opposite side of the Sea of Galilee. It is hard to believe that I would ever wake-up to a sight that Jesus witnessed most days of His life. It is about 55 degrees and we just visited about the majesty of this moment. Breakfast was large and interesting. I have had the privilege of enjoying foreign cuisines on occasion and this one was one of the better. Since the breakfast included the availability of cheese and milk, there would be no meat (except for salmon and tuna) available for this meal. This hotel is kosher.

We met on the bus at 8:00am with Keith leading us in a song and I led a devotional from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:33). Our day will be busy including many sights in the area. Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Gennesaret, Mt. of Beatitudes, Feeding of the Five Thousand, Capernaum, Lunch of St. Peter’s Fish, Baptism in the Jordan River, drive through Cana on the way to Nazareth.

The boat ride was a perfect start. It became overcast and evoked emotions of Jesus calming the Sea. Our boat operators said that they were the only Believers operating on the Sea, and they were very enjoyable. We took some pictures, listened to details about the surrounding area and simply soaked in the thought of being on the Sea of Galilee were Jesus called His disciples to be “Fishers of Men.” We saw a large mountain that was the scene of a rebellion uprising against Herod. We were directed to see Magdala (the home of Mary Magdalene).

After stopping on the sea, we saying some congregational hymns and listened to a couple special music songs. This set the stage to consider being on the Sea that Jesus calmed. I had the wonderful privilege of sharing a message from Matthew 14:22-33. I spoke concerning the “contrary” things in life and the faith required to keep Jesus at the center of our focus. This is one of those moments that I will never forget. After this, we continue the ride and listened to a demonstration and teaching of net casting and Jesus’s influence. Our boat operators sang a couple Christian contemporary songs with a couple verse of each in Hebrew.

We landed at Gennesaret where Jesus and the disciples landed after He and Peter walked on water. There we got to see the remains of a 2,000 year old boat that was excavated in 1986 after the water level of the Sea dropped. It represents the exact type of vessel that Jesus and His disciples would have used. Very cool!. I also bought a Teleet (prayer shawl).

From here we travelled throughout the country side where Jesus and the Disciples ministered in Galilee. First on the list was the location near where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). Italian Franciscan Nuns operate a church at this location known as the Mount of Beatitudes. Interesting note I learned before we came, this church was commissioned by Mussolini. How ironic! Many of the sights that Christians want to see in Israel have either a church built on top of them or immediately next to them. This is both good and bad. It means that sometimes these sights are not what you would expect, but it also means that they have been protected and persevered. From here a quick ride to the Church of the Heptapegon (Seven Springs) where the supposed rock is kept that Jesus blessed the loaves and fishes that he used to feed the 5,000 men (plus women and children). It was one of my more favorite churches to see today.

Still not to lunch yet…
Next we went to Capernaum. This is Jesus’ second home and the place where he first started calling his Disciples. Capernaum is the home of Peter, James, and John just to name a few. This town is in complete ruins, but it is very interesting to see much of these artifacts and historical monuments. The Synagogue and Peter’s house were very special. This was also were Jesus healed the woman with the hemorrhage and then raised the daughter of Jarius. I read this Scripture and our guide Hezi explained some insights.

Lunch arrives and it is “St. Peter’s fish.” This fish is unique to the Sea of Galilee, it is what Jesus and the disciple would have caught and feasted on. This fish was served whole (only the skin and guts were absent), and it was served with a coin in its mount. This represented the story of when Jesus commanded Peter to catch a fish only to find the money necessary to pay their taxes in its mouth. The fish was good (much like Tilapia); however, I don’t like having to work so hard to eat when I am that hungry. The bones where hard to pick around.

From here we travelled to the Jordan River called Yardenit. This a commercial location where people can “renew” their Baptism. For us, this doesn’t replace our original baptism nor nullify it. It is simply an opportunity to participate in Baptist in the same river that Jesus was Baptized (Matthew 3.13-17). We rented robs, towels, and a bathroom (yes, you have to pay for a bathroom to change in). I baptized eleven including Bro. Keith Butler. He in turn baptized me. What an amazing thought to be in the river where Jesus was baptized and the Spirit descended and the Father spoke (there’s the Trinity). We finished just in time for 500 John Hagee followers to show up and get in the river. Wow!

The next two stops included long bus rides, and we surely needed them. We drove through Cana while I read the first miracle account of the water to wine. This was on our way to the city of Nazareth where Joseph was from and where Jesus grew up. The city is divided into a Jewish side and a Muslim side. We first arrived at the Mount of Precipitate. It was here that Jesus was ran out of town and nearly thrown off a cliff after prophesying of His Messianic personhood. Remember, he simply walked through their midst on his way, leaving behind Nazareth to continue to minister. Next we went to the Church of Annunciation. Here a Catholic church is built on the location where they believe the Virgin Mary’s house was, and where she received the message from the angel Gabriel. It was interesting, and there were some more ruins, but it is hard to look past the strong Catholic traditionalism and pageantry.

All of this was just day one, and we are exhausted. There is such a strong spiritual exertion and fulfillment. I have a lot on my mind, and I hope to be able to express all that I am feeling in words soon. Still trying to process it.

Lord I love You, Thank You for letting me know You more!

Prayer for Our Nation and her people!

Is our nation the same as the nation of Israel in the Bible? No. Is our nation a "Christian" nation? No, probably not. Does God love our nation more than other nations? No, definitely not. Should we ignore what we believe or what is Truth, because some don't agree? No, absolutely not.

Our nation was founded on principles that are taken from the Bible by men that looked to God for direction. They wanted to form a nation that stood for truth and morality without forcing one group's beliefs on the others. Their desire to live for God and stand for Truth and follow the Bible didn't mean that they always got everything right. No, just like us today, there were mistakes and failures and second chances.

Somewhere in the midst of it all, Christians found themselves having drifted away from what God says is True and how the Bible says we ought to live. Churches stopped being the place where the Bible was preached, and it started trying to placate the world and society by compromising what God's Word says is Truth and Righteousness. As a result, all forms of sinfulness and immorality are seen as commonplace and acceptable. We wonder why our nation struggles in areas of economics, peace, and social justice. It is not primarily because more people are sinning. It is because Christians do not stand up for God's Word.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "and [if] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

The "MY PEOPLE" are Christians. We can't blame anyone else. WE must begin to be HUMBLE, PRAY, SEEK, and TURN. If we want to see this nation changed, Christians and Churches will have to begin the revival.

Today, I was one of a group of pastors, leaders, men, and women who signed a proclamation for morality at the State Capitol. I stood up with others who see our nation headed in a place that is opposite God, His Word, and the Truth of Jesus Christ. It is not that we hate anyone. It is because we so believe in the Word of God and what it says, that if we did not stand and let our voice be heard, we would be failing our Faith and would be dishonest with our hearts.

This nation, while it is definitely not perfect...This nation, while it is not a Theocracy...This nation, while it is still a bastion for freedom and liberty is Our Nation. And if we do not shore up our stances on moral things, we will lose what we believe. May God watch over us, May God give us strength to stand for Truth, May God save our land!

Trusting in the Midst of the Unknown

I am one of those people that always likes to know what is coming around the corner. In fact, I can get extremely anxious when I don't know what is going to happen next. For instance, ever since childhood, I find myself trying to find out what I can expect to get on Christmas Day. I still remember sneaking into my parents closet and finding the portable CD player that I would be receiving the next week. I still was extremely excited when I opened it, and I made certain that the one that was giving the gift knew that I appreciated it, but I knew that it was coming.
(NOTE: I am not advocating the sneaking and opening of presents before they are given - children, do not try this at home.)

All this is to say that my personality really likes to know what is coming around the corner...to a fault. However, when we allow God to be in control, He does things in His time and in His way. The unknown surrounds us. You feel the presence of the Lord, and you know that He is working; but it is clouded in the unknown. This is one of the most beautiful times in the Christian's life. Yes, it is difficult and possibly frustrating and even unbearable. But it is here that Faith blossoms into a relational wonder between God and His children. When the outcome of a situation is visible and the unknown is discernible, there is very little faith required. Here, trusting in God simply means that you are knowledgeable of what God is doing and you will comply and follow Him. There is nothing wrong with this situation, and it is how many of the moments of our Christian life occur. But when you find yourself in the great unknown, and God's work and moving is cloudy and hidden in mystery, Faith is a much larger concept. Trusting in God just went from complying with what He is doing to completely placing your life in His hands. You must believe that He truly has the best plan for your life in His hands. Questions like, what will God do next? where does God want me to be? how can I serve? flood through your mind, and each time the answer is Unknown. Faith shows us that even though it is unknown to us, God does Know! He has always known and had it laid out and planned.

The Unknown has now become beautiful...It not only reveals how I can trust in the Lord, but it also displays in utter complexity how God is Faithful, Wise, Strong, Loving, and bigger than anything that I could ever know. Psalm 139 describes God's intimate knowledge and presence. "If I say, 'Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night.' Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You." (v.11,12).

My Prayer: God, thank you for every unknown in my life. I have faith that You know. I will follow You into the uncertain and trust that Your will be done. God, let me experience Your hand as you guide me into the beautiful Unknown.

Watching the Olympics!

As the Olympics role around every couple of years, I find myself glued to the television watching sports that I have either never seen before or only last saw four years previous when they were on the last time. This year I have sat in my living room, watched from an apartment on the campus of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, checked scores on my phone, and generally looking for as much information I can about how the Americans are doing. I root for each American with pride in their achievement and a hope that we can display the greatness of our country. I enjoy listening to and watching the stories behind the valiant work that each athlete has had to produce and occasionally the amazing tribulation that has been overcome. It even causes us to reflect on all of the history that is in the Olympics such as previous world-record holders, past medals won, and the place in which the whole world entered this grand stadium.

This year I have seen sports that I personally would not consider a "sport" (badminton, "racewalking," synchronized swimming, Dressage, etc.). I have enjoyed like so many others the amazing accomplishment of Michael Phelps. I have experienced the emotional let downs when an athlete that you cheer for falls. It is the Olympics and they are lots of fun, they captivate many throughout the world with feelings of national pride. And it is here that I want to focus...I love to see the Americans win! There is nothing inherently wrong with this. I am proud of the USA and what we are able to accomplish!

HOWEVER (that can be such a big word), America also breaks my heart! We are a great nation, and we have so many great days and accomplishments ahead of us. But, I see an immorality that grieves God and should grieve every believer. We are complacent in our following the Lord Jesus Christ. We fail to seek God's Truth and are instead satisfied and tolerate humanism and arrogance and subjective truth (which is not truth at all)! We have become a nation that tolerates, condones, and even promotes the murder of infants in the womb through abortion (and God will Judge us if we don't stand up for these innocent ones)! This is not to say that I do not love my country...instead it is because I love my country that I have a broken heart over her sinfullness. Christians try to proclaim and falsely prophecy that the United States is the nation of God, and this is simply not true. We can be a nation that is faithul to God, but we are not that now! It must start with believers living faithfully TODAY!

My prayer: God heal this land! Bring us back to You by surgically piercing us and making us pure! Let me be a light and preach your Word faithfully.

I love my church!

Sitting in worship today, God showed me again how important fellowship and worship is at the local assembly of believers. Now, I know that I am one of those people that have grown up in church. And I can probably count with my hands the number of times that I have missed more than a week at church, but I just can't feel right when I am not regularly gathering to celebrate the Savior.

That being said, is regular worship attendance a habit, discipline, a requirement, or some other action within the believer's life? I have the tendency to say Yes! That is, yes to all of the above! Going to church regularly is not always easy or convenient, and occasionally it is not what we really want to do. However, the blessing and growth that one receives through regular church attendance is undeniable.

So even though you may not want to go to church, exercise discipline and go because God desires our obedience.

My prayer today is that God would help me accomplish all that needs to be done for my family, at my church, and concerning my academics. God use me, work through me, and be glorified by me.

Trying to be Too Busy!

I don't know about everybody else, but I seem to be busier and busier as life moves forward. At each stage in life, you tell yourself that finally "Now, things want be so chaotic and I can get some things done that I have been neglecting." However, when that time comes, I seem to have more on my plate than I have ever had before. Right now I am just a few weeks from my first doctoral seminar in Kansas City and yet we have just welcomed our new son into the world, I have barely taken a breath after completing the master's program in Ft. Worth, and changes and needs at church seem to require my constant attention. I was reading an article from one of the seminaries this week about just how much time we waste (reading junk mail and emails, watching TV shows that we don't even care about, surfing the Internet to find news on nothing, etc.).

This busyness not only affects the previously mentioned areas, but it also negatively impacts my relationship with my Lord and Savior. I wonder just how much we miss concerning God's will and blessings for our live because we are too busy. It just so happens that the prophet which shares my son's namesake found himself in 1 Kings 19:12-13 dealing with this very issue. He had the task of trying to listen for God's voice, and he ended up hearing it in the least likely of places..."a still small voice (kjv)."

My hope here is that I will learn to not be so busy! This does not mean that I must stop all of the activities in my life. Although, it does mean that I may need to make certain that I stop long enough to listen and appreciate Jesus Christ and His work. I wonder how much I have missed?
How much do you miss because you are going so fast that you don't even have time to breathe? Do you stop and listen? Now this doesn't just mean that you pray once a day! Do you actually stop a wait for God to speak (even if you are prepared or don't like what it is that He says)?

My prayer today is that in the midst of my busyness I will actively spend time with God! Lord, please cause me to drop some of the things that don't matter, give attention to the things that do matter, and allow You to guide me in all of these areas.

When God reveals Himself...and other random thoughts

It never ceases to amaze me how God works in the lives of His children, and often it is in such a way that He receives no acknowledgment or praise. He molds believer's lives and wills, He works in situations that without Him are impossible, and He blesses and keeps His children just as He promises. I challenge myself to look everyday for ways that God has touched me so that I may praise Him

Today, Shannon and I took Elijah to the doctor to get circumcised. It is not easy to leave your child in a place where you know that discomfort will come upon him. I also thought about how this procedure has taken place for over 4,000 years (at least). God commanded Abraham to start it among the people of Israel, and it has been common since then.
At the pediatrician yesterday, Elijah weighed 7 lbs., which means he has gained 1/2 lb in less than a week...Wow!

Now that we are home with a new baby and the summer is half over, I also have the task of working on getting ready for my first doctoral seminar in August. It makes me both excited and nervous, but I know that God is in control and I will simply trust in Him.

My prayer today is that I will be obedient to God's lordship in my life. I also pray that I won't forget that the things that God does in my life are not accidents, but instead purposeful leadings in my life to a right relationship with Him.