Sabbatical: Day 3

This is the day I was most excited about; being Baptized in the Jordan River. The sun was bright and the air had a hint of fragrance from the bogonvia. I was so excited that I forgot my water shoes and walked down the rocky path in my bare feet, yes it was painful but I thought of all the pain my Saviour went through for me. My sweet wife and I were baptized by Pastors John and Matthew Hagee, one on each side, her first and then  me. So much joy as I came up speaking in my Heavenly Prayer Language and knowing that I was making a statement to all around; I have been buried and resurrected into new life by Christ Jesus in the same river he was baptized in. WOW!

On to Caesarea; here we learned of all the hardship the Jewish people encountered when returning to Israel and a reminder of what they went through in Germany. This was the Roman capitol of Judea. Conflict and death flowed out of this place to many Jewish people. The reconstruction is an on-going process but gives me clear understanding of how the people lived. Homes were quite small for the common citizen. Most rooms were about twelve by twelve feet with one family to a room. I live in a palace by these standards. 

Today is our first time into Jerusalem. We enter with a prayer of blessing upon the city and all that enter there. The feeling I experienced was as if the Lord had put his arm around my shoulder and was personally walking at my side. We walked several blocks through the Arab market full of busy people preparing for the Sabbath, merchants calling out to us of their special prices for Americans, many welcoming hand shakes and friendly "Shalom", then into the home of a Rabbi Daniel Sperber in the heart of the old city. His wife gave us fruit and juice to refresh us as we waited for time to light the Sabbath candles. We were invited to roam the house, terrace garden, library and even to go out on the roof for a view of the western wall. I felt as welcome in this home as if I were a member of the family. We gathered in the parlor as the candles were lit and prayed for peaceful Sabbath. As I lit my candle, my one small light, I understood..."let your light so shine".  I can make a difference in this dark world of hate and pain, war and separation.....just by shining my light, my one small light. 

I will finish day three tomorrow....I must go for now....about my Father's business.   

Sabbatical Day2

I am standing at a northern point on the Golan Heights looking into Lebanon to the north and Syria to the east. I can't make anything out in Lebanon it's just too far and the clouds and mist are somewhat heavy in that direction. There is a UN observation post just twenty feet away maned with two soldiers keeping a close watch on the Damascus road down below. Suddenly I hear the sound of cannon fire far off in the distance. The civil war is raging a few miles away, people dying, homes destroyed and no hope for peace. Down to the south east there is a bombed out building that had been the Syrian command post just a few month ago. (later in the day I was in this very building) Israel maintains a buffer zone in this area to prevent attacks by terrorists. Mingled among the tourists are Israeli solders carrying M-16 to keep us safe. These young solders are so friendly and often speak to us and thank us for coming to their country. Men and women serve in the army here. Men for three years and women for two right out of high school and before college. I was told that the officer in charge that day was only twenty years old.

Off to the North East is Mt. Hermon where the Jordan River begins. All around us is desert but the rain in the mountains keeps the river flowing into the Sea of Galilee. The agriculture around the area is amazing. They grow abundant crops. The land of "Milk and Honey" it truly is. 

We visit a tank battalion just down the mountain where we interact with the commander (a twenty four year old) and his public relations director (a nineteen year old lady) these two both speak English and they answer dozens of questions from our group. They are able to deploy their tanks with lightning speed any where in Israel and are called the "Lightning Brigade". We all had our pictures made with them and we gave them Dallas Cowboy shirts and Texas Ranger ball caps. I sensed the greatness of these people in these two. They are full of joy, compassion and a love for their nation. I am just a little jealous as I would love to see this in american young people. Back on the bus and down to Beit Shean to hear a message from Pastor Matthew Hagee. 

The message is delivered in a Roman Colosseum. The prodigal son was his topic as this town was the type of place that the boy would have visited to spend his money. I was reminded of the glimmer and shine that seems to be so beautiful and soon turns to rust and ruin when sin lures us into it's trap. I am renewed in my resolve to "remain" in my fathers loving home and never stray. After the sermon we enjoyed a feast "under the stars", a seven course delight. lights were lit in the old city and we walked through the streets just as people might have done hundreds of years ago. I am just here on this earth for a short time. As I walk along I am aware that these people lived and died just as I. I wondered; Did they think about God as I do? Did they wonder; what is it all about? People are the same. 

Sabbatical: Day 1

In a small boat with thirty four Pilgrims we sailed the Sea of Galilee. This sea is really just a big lake filled by the Jordan River. It is clean and beautiful and supplies most of the water to Israel. The sound of christian worship music (the same songs we sing at church) filled my ears as tears filled my eyes. I am in Israel, the land of Jesus, singing worship songs and almost overfilled with joy. Then our guide has the boat brought to a complete stop. He points to landmarks in many directions and shares the miracles that happened at each point. Then he points to the water on the south side of our boat and says: and this is where Jesus and Peter walked on the water. The scripture was read and the place became electric with the presence of God. Our guide pointed to the place where Jesus told his disciple to depart from, then to the place where they landed after he calmed the storm and we were in the middle of that path. I so wanted to jump over the side and walk on that water. Oh that my faith were stronger. 

The first stop was at the Mount of Beatitudes where we walked on the hillside and shared many of the blessings spoken by Jesus. This garden is filled with flowers, trees, birds and even green grass. The breeze coming in off the lake cooled the desert heat and the sound of a single voice flowed up the slope with perfect clarity. My strong voice rang like a church bell. Here is where Jesus taught us of his love, devotion to God and how we should view each other. As I looked around I saw people of every color, nationalities and faiths gathered on a hillside praising God and loving each other. I saw a picture of Heaven.

Next we went to Capernaum to an ancient Synagogue and the house of Peter. The restoration project here was in full swing. The stones are placed back into their position with great care. I was amazed at the thought of how the original workmen carved such intricate images with just a hammer and chisel of brass. How did they move these heavy stones? As I sat there I thought of home and my church, my place of worship and I sensed the same comfort, joy and presence of God. I sang out: "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God" and I felt the hand of God upon my head. God was there.

Did Jesus feed thousands with such a small amount of bread and fish? The Bible says he did, so, I believe he did. At the traditional site of this miracle (a place called Tabgha) our guide gave us a vivid word picture of the event. Each aspect of the Biblical account seemed to match this location. Then He shared how God was doing this type of miracle each day in the nation of Israel. The desert grows food, supports livestock....so much comes out of so little. Little is much when God is involved.  

My journal of the Holy Sabbatical to Israel

This journey began at my first visit to church as a teen age boy in Forest Hill, Texas. As part of a Christmas celebration, slides of the Holy Lands were shared on a six foot square screen. All these pictures looked much the same to me, rock & dirt, dirt & rock with names I had never heard. The pictures left me bored and unimpressed. There was however something about the enthusiasm, joy, respect, reverence and the abundant love for this place emanating from the lady showing these slide that reached across the room and pricked my heart. Why did she love this barren landscape? Why did she save for years to make this trip? Why did she say that her whole life was now fulfilled and she could die in peace? It was just a point on the map to me and I did not understand. Just a few weeks after this Christmas celebration I walked down the isle of this same church, confessed my sin and was born into the family of God. Not long after I received a "call" to be a minister, specifically a Pastor, and I have been following that call for almost fifty years. I learned about the place where Jesus was born. I learned about his being a Jew and many hundreds of other facts concerning Israel and these Holy Lands. Fifty years of learning.

A few month ago I received a call from a wonderful family asking if I would like to make a trip to Israel. With much enthusiasm I declared that I would love to go. And so the preparation began in humble anticipation of my Sabbatical Journey to Israel. Proper preparation would be essential to make this trip a success. Every aspect of preparation needed to be examined for nothing could be omitted, postponed, neglected or left to chance. It would only take one mistake and the journey could be destroyed. 

The first and therefore the most important preparation was prayer, yes prayer, for the world is at war with terrorism, the nations that surround Israel want to rid all Jewish presence, and in my own heart there existed a small seed of fear. I am not speaking of the fear of death. My hope is steadfastly anchored in Jesus and death would usher me into his eternal presence. The fear sprang from the remote possibility that some unforeseen logistical element would hinder or even stop this from happening. 

Preparation is the key to spiritual success. I am prepared in the spirit realm by obedience to God's Word, a constant repentance, humbly approaching the throne of Grace to cultivate a daily relationship and keeping my focus on Jesus. I will share the events, locations, emotions and facts of this Sabbatical in days to come for my preparation yielded proof of success and the journey was sweet. The dirt and rock of Israel made me feel welcome.....almost as if it were my long lost Home.    

I don't understand

Why is there so much hate, division, pain and war? Am I the source? Is it because I pray? Is it because I was born into a white family? Is it because I work hard? Is it because I pay taxes? Is it because I fight abortion, alcohol, drugs and addiction? I just don't understand. When I think of hate I think of Hitler, world war and massive destruction and not the person next door or down the road. The realm of hate I see around me (TV & news media) today is so vague and yet so prevalent that I wonder if people even think outside of hate. Hate is not a genetic predisposed condition of human beings. Hate is learned. Hate is environmental. Hate is the product of evil. This is good news because man has the power of intellect to change what is taught, his environment and to stop evil. I see this as a one-on-one, person to person responsibility. If I want to end hate it must start with me. I must speak hate- less words. I must pray hate-less prayers. I must be a living example of love, devotion, concern and work to convince others that we can eliminate hate. Won't you join me in this matter? 

Worth The Effort?

Another year is in the books and I am thinking; was it worth the effort? Some might make a list and compare the good and bad events of the year to calculate a value. Most of us do a good job of remembering the bad and forgetting the good so our list may be lopsided. Most of us don't journal each day and if we do we don't have the time to read the thing later so we rely on memories. This can be tricky but....I have seen the birth of a second GREAT grandchild (girl), GREAT GRANDSON saying "Pa-Pa" for the first time, oldest GRANDSON graduating from college,  oldest GRANDDAUGHTER and HUSBAND buying their first home, baby DAUGHTER beginning her doctoral thesis, losing another 60 pounds, exiting the rental business with the sale of our last rent house, reverse mortgage on home-place, my first new pick-up truck, paying off all credit cards, finishing a re-model of the guest house, replacing fence on one side of yard, planting rose hedge on south fence, automatic watering system in front flower-beds, commercial gas stove w/vent-a-hood and sink in church kitchen, well house replacement at church, off-site sign for church on HWY 377, light in cross behind pulpit, Nancy playing the harmonica for worship service, buying a new RV (to pull with new truck), signing up for medicare, preaching over 100 times, actually finishing a "bible study" in the same year I started it ( study subject: The Will of God), 46th wedding anniversary, parents celebrating 65th wedding anniversary.
2015 was a busy year......and well worth the effort!

12-31-2015          Luke 24:50-53

S.          50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

O.         Jesus ascends into Heaven and the disciples go to Jerusalem.

A.         Joy should be my everyday practice, my lifestyle. I will worship God today……in Spirit and Truth!

P.         Father; I worship, praise and adore you. Thank you God, for loving me and sending your                     son to redeem me from sin. Amen. 

Filled with satan or filled with God?

I see many articles stating that God has not fixed the problems between the different religions. Why do people think like this? God has provided the answer to this problem and the solution two thousand years ago.....in a manger, at the grave of Lazarus and between two thieves on a cross. The primary message of Jesus was a message of love. Active, alive, all embracing love is what we need. These terror attacks are the work of satan, not directly but through poor, deceived sin filled people. God gave man the power of "free will". This one attribute make man "like God" more than any other attribute. It is the misuse of this will that kills, steals and destroys and that attribute belongs to satan. The bottom line.....Love and be like God........Kill and be like satan. CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE!

12-4-2015      Luke 22:7-13

S.       7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he enters in.11 And ye shall say unto the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.

O.      Finding a place for the Passover.

A.      Jesus gave very specific instructions for the disciples to follow, they did as instructed and the last Passover is shared by all. God gave me specific instructions in his Bible. If I follow, I will be blessed. If not, I will be cursed. All this is my decision and the results are up to me.

    P.       Father; I choose to follow you with all my heart, mind and         soul. Fill me with courage, endurance and the wisdom so I               won’t stray. Amen.