Israel Day 4

On this day we checked out of our hotel in the Galilee and began our trek to Jerusalem, making several stops on the way.

We went to Magdala, which is believed to be the birth place of Mary Magdalene. Archaeologist began digging around this area in 2009 and they uncovered an entire first century Jewish town. This area is rich with history for both Jews and Christians. We saw the excavations of a village, a synagogue, and an amazing painting of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' robe.

                

                 

Our next stop was Beit She'an where we saw excavations from an old Roman City. The area has only been excavated since the 1980s. This area is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament and is rich in history. It was amazing and gave me goose bumps often.

We had such a great time here. Laughter was one of the themes of this visit. In one area I kept hearing what sounded similar to gun fire. I asked my trusted pastor and friend, Trey, who responded with military exercises, with a very straight face. Keep in mind he has been here approximately 18 times and this was my first. We kept walking and listening to our tour guide, observing various structures on the ground and on top of one another, but I continued to hear this sound. I was confused! I voiced my confusion by asking, why are we hearing this today and repeatedly, is there a military base near by? He again with a straight face, said maybe. As we continued to explore I discovered a speaker that was blasting this said noise, giving life to the earthquake that occurred at some point in ancient history. He had gotten me. I fell for it. It was funny. I warned him, I pay back.

Our next major stop was Jericho. We could see the area Jesus was tempted when led to the wilderness. We saw Zacchaeus's tree. I enjoyed our time in this town. I had the best fresh corn on the cob and purchased a package of dates. I also paid back Trey. I have asthma, while eating I pretended to choke and have a terrible coughing fit. One of my amazing group mates "happened" to be a nurse and came to help. We had others reacting as well. I laughed so hard. We called somewhat of a truce. (Joking and giving each other a hard time may or may not continue to this day.)

 

We then went up to Jerusalem and stood on Mt. Scopus. It was beautiful. I immediately could tell my personal study of the Hebrew language was paying off as I could see the letter shin ( ש ) in the land. There ae 3 valleys that resemble this letter, the Valley of Ben Hinnom, Tyropoeon Valley, and the Kidron Valley. If you look in 1 Kings 11:36, 2 Kings 21:4&7, 2 Chronicles 6:6, 2, 2 Chronicles 33:4&7 you will read that G-d says He will put His name here. The shin represents Shaddai, a name of G-d.

We then checked into our hotel, the Prima Park Hotel, that would be our home for the next 7 nights,  to get ready for Shabbat. You can ready more about my experience on Shabbat here.

After Shabbat Gidon, Devra, and I walked back to our hotel. It was around midnight. The air was crisp, the night clear. I recall telling Devra how I loved the way the air felt.

Day 4 made my cheeks hurt from laughing and made my cup runneth over.

Israel Day 3

On day 3 we found ourselves in Nazareth, the place Jesus grew up. We walked through churches that were beautiful to behold.

                                         

                                                                

                                                              

                         

When my eyes took in this tree, I was awe struck. Isn't it stunning?

This is a picture of a mikveh, a bath used by our Jewish friends, for immersion to achieve purity.

On April 12, 2018 while we were touring Nazareth an air raid siren began to blare at 10 AM. This occurs on Yom HaShoah, which is Holocaust Remembrance Day. This siren is heard throughout the country and people stop and observe 2 minutes of solemn reflection, commemorating the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Flags are flown at half mast. Almost everyone stops whatever they are doing and stands in silence. Cars stop on the roads, people stop walking, activity is ceased. I am honored that I was able to stop and reflect on those lives, while standing in the land of their Fathers.

Afterwards we looked out over Mt. Precipice overlooking the Jezreel Valley. The view is incredible and so is the history and prophecy. This is the site of Luke 4:16-30, where the angry mob wanted to throw Jesus from the cliff. The Jezreel Valley was home to various biblical battles and according to Revelation 16:16-21 is the place that will be the home of the future battle of Armageddon.

Our next stop was Banias, a beautiful ancient site once associated with the Greek god Pan. This old city is also know in the books of Matthew and Mark as Caesarea Philippi. (See Matthew 16:13-21)

Golan Heights near the Syrian border was our next stop. We visited a museum and learned about battles that took place and saw various artifacts. As I learned all I could think was, I am so thankful the Jewish people have so much fight in them. I am thankful for that today as well.

An Elephant tooth.

To close out our last day and evening in the Galilee area Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, came to our hotel and spoke about Bible prophecy and connecting with Christians. The conversation was incredible. I couldn't help but cry as we discussed current events, bridging gaps between Jews and Christians, and prophecy unfolding before us.

On that evening tears ran down my face because G-d had called me to Israel, to see His land, meet His people, and was allowing me to be apart of this. I am still left with my mouth gaping open as I continue to grow friendships, learn, and study Hebrew.

All I can say is todah, which is thank you in Hebrew.

My friend Adam has an amazing gift of stringing words together. He writes articles for Breaking Israel News, which you can read by clicking the link. He also writes words that turn into books you can't put down. Here are the links for those:

The Hope Merchant
Dolphins on the Moon

He had both books with him when he meet with us, I purchased both. He signed one with these words, "coming to Israel turns your heart of stone to a heart of flesh" and one "your tears are holy never forget". He is not wrong and I am forever encouraged and thankful.

Israel Day 2

Today our adventure takes to the Mt. of Beatitudes where we discuss Matthew 5-7, also know as the Sermon on the Mount. It's beautiful. There is something special about hearing your pastor teach you the words of Jesus from the place Jesus shared the same words.

We spent time alone walking around this area to pray, ponder, and mediate on the teaching from Matthew. I marveled at the different groups and languages being spoken. I heard a group sing a familiar hymn in an unknown language. I walked around in wonderment of how G-d loves us, uses us, and choses us. My actions don't always match my heart and my heart doesn't always match my actions and despite my imperfections He invited to this place to be with Him in a way I never have. I wrote in my journal, I love the air here, it feels clean and spiritual.

Several of these lined the walk way with the words from Matthew 5. 

We went to the Restoration of Peter, also known as, the Table of the Lord at Lake Tiberias and discussed John 21. I love that I am thinking back to this story, the day before we celebrate the empty tomb. That means this occurred around this time in history. The story of Jesus appearing for the third time after His resurrection, to the disciples as they fished. I am quite sure Peter was still beating himself up for denying Jesus. Peter tended to be a person of reaction, not response. He tended to think he would never, but he did. He was passionate and dramatic. I get him. I have Peter tendencies.

But G-d. That is the reason we can have restoration. G-d is a G-d who restores.


Jesus didn't just appear, He served them breakfast. After making sure Peter's physical needs were met, Jesus wholly restores Peter. . And this, as a woman with Peter tendencies, blesses me so.

My stone of remembrance.

Capharnaum was our next location. This is where Jesus preached and lived with Peter. I was in awe as I thought Jesus you were here. While looking at the spot the house was, in my spirit I heard, "I still am". There are various things in scripture that occurred here, including the story of the paralyzed man being brought down through the roof by his friends. (Mark 2:1)

                        

            

After our visit to Capharnaum we had lunch at Ali's Restaurant. THE BEST FRESH TAILAPIA EVER!!!!! And the best fresh dates.

Next, we took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We worshiped, laughed, and talked about Matthew 14:6-33. A beautiful reminder that when our eyes are on Jesus there is power and when our eyes are on the storm, we sink. Where we fix our gaze matters.

One of the many emotion churning moments on the boat was when Gidon and Trey raised the United States flag in unity and we sang the United States National Anthem on a sea, in Israel. It was an incredible moment.

I LOVED the boat. My notes read, I just can't get over this. This place. This land. This people. Jesus. Jesus loves me. On the sea,wow! I felt like His arms wrapped around me.

During one of our bus rides we discussed clichés regarding coming to Israel. For example, it brings the Bible to 3D or  takes it from black and white to color. Theses phrases don't seem to do it justice. I remember thinking I would like to come up with something new, to attempt to give it justice. At some point on the trip, all I could come up with was, it is like completing a puzzle. You can see the puzzle form as you piece it together, but when you add those final few pieces the picture becomes complete, that is what it is like to walk in the Holy Land. Missing puzzle pieces are placed in their spots and the picture is even more clear. And this, this still does not give it justice.

Trey had asked me if I learned anything on this day. I shared about how my bible reading that morning was from Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) 48:6b, "...Now.....I am announcing new things to you, secret things you have not known,", this is how I was feeling. Gratitude consumed me.

Our last stop before heading to the hotel was the Jordan River. The river the Israelites crossed. The river Jesus was baptized in. For some reason my journal says nothing about this, but I recall as I look at the pictures being moved. Again, despite my Peter like tendencies, despite my sin, I was baptized in the same river, because He knows my heart and He is a G-d of restoration.

While there I also enjoyed the most amazing fresh juice. Pomegranate and orange! It is the most amazing fresh juice that will ever hit my taste buds. And lets not forget the dates!!










In the evening we walked to a beach area behind our hotel, had dinner, and watched a ceremony on TV for Yom HaShoah, which is Holocaust Memorial Day.

This was set up for Holocaust Memorial Day. 

Israel Day 1

Two years ago today, I arrived in Israel. I have yet to complete my posts about my trip. I have written several pieces regarding it, but have so much more to tell. With most of us sheltering in place, this seems like a perfect time to take you on a journey to the Holy Land. My goal for the next 11 or so days is to share with you my odyssey as I open up my journal and pictures and revisit Israel.

My travel mates were a group from my church and leading the charge was my pastor Trey Graham. (You can look into going with him in the future by visiting, www.israelbythebook.com/.) We completed our group by meeting up with Gidon Ariel of Root Source, others who traveled to be with our group, our tour guide, and our bus driver. This was an exculsive tour celebrating Israel turning 70, with teaching from both Gidon, an Israeli Jew, and Trey, a Texas Christian.

We arrived about 10 AM after traveling approximatley 16 hours. Thankfully, others had given this first time international traveler some tips and I freshened up in the plane before landing, because we hit the ground running.

One of the first things that struck me, that I stated frequently during my time, was how amazing the air felt. It enveloped me in a different way, that I couldn't quite explain.

The first place we visited was Independence Hall in Tel Aviv.
This historical site is the place Israel became a state. We learned more about Tel Aviv and the ceremony that took place establishing the State of Israel.

After the museum we split up to have lunch, this was the view as I ate an amazing salad. Veggies taste better in Israel!
















Next, was Caesarea. It was amazing. The air was even more incredible by the sea. I felt speechless and tears filled my eyes as I listened to the teaching and took in the fact that I was standing in Israel.  I had a sense of home as I took it all in and all I could do was worship inwardly.

   

This city was built under Herod the Great. I loved seeing the ruins of this ancient city and hearing the history.

It is in this area that the story of Acts 10 and Acts 25 takes place....and I stood in this place.

 To see the remnants of the walls and a moat in real life left me awe struck.















We then drove to our hotel. The drive was beautiful. We had dinner and got settled. Day 1 was a success.

Truth

In the last few days I have found myself waking up wondering how the world is and falling asleep with a heavy heart and a wave of anxiety.

Thursday night, I scanned an article that included bible verses before completing my bedtime routine. When I attempted to close my eyes the wave of anxiety washed over me. Thoughts ran through my head. Sleep eluded me. I went back to the article and looked up the verses on my Bible app and was struck with wonder.

Maybe as I process this with words, they will give someone just a little hope as we continue to navigate social distancing and live out this new for now normal.

 אֱמֶת

This is the Hebrew word emet. It means truth. The first letter is aleph, א , it is the first letter in the Hebrew aleph-bet, the second letter, mem, מ , is the middle letter in the aleph-bet, and the third letter tav, ת , is the last letter in the aleph-bet. This shows us is that truth spans the entire aleph-bet, just as G-d's truth spans the Bible. Every letter of the aleph-bet is a way He communicates truth. Each of these letters that make up the word emet, has a broad and stable base. 

With all the uncertainty going on we need a stable base.

I have seen several of my Jewish friends and my Christian friends post about reading Psalm 91 in regards to COVID-19. I have read it many times over the years. I wear my favorite verse from this Psalm around my neck almost daily. 

It was anxious thoughts and this verse, combined with my understanding of Hebrew that kept me from sleeping. 

"He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His truth is a shield and protection." Tehillim (Psalm) 91:4

As I read these words over and over again the letter zayin, ז , came to mind. This letter is a picture of a weapon, a sword.  I thought about this letter as I read "His truth is a shield and protection." 

My mind can often wonder into the darkness of what ifs and falsehoods. If we were to look closely at the Hebrew word for falsehood, we would notice a word made up of letters that do not span the aleph-bet nor have a stable base.

I must always remind myself to look to truth. That is my stability. That is my weapon.

In the New Testament, Ephesians 6:17 it says "....and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of G-d." 

The truth that spans the Hebrew aleph-bet and the Bible is a sword. It is His stability, His truth that is our covering, our shield, and our protection. 

I discovered that the zayin does not appear in Psalm 91 in the original Hebrew, despite this psalm being one of warfare and often used in times of needed deliverance.

The world needs deliverance. 

There is a group of 8 Hebrew letters given a tagin or crownlet, zayin is included in this group. While the zayin is in not in the Psalm, the other 7 of this group are. Some of the Jewish sages have said that these crownlets are small zayinin and therefore when Psalm 91 is said, they function as spiritual weapons. 

I wrote briefly about this letter in my post for my one word for the year, explaining how this letter also symbolizes rest. 

As I read and mediated on all of this, the words truth, weapon, and rest stood out. 

As we all find ourselves in an ocean of unchartered waters, may the stability and foundation of truth be our life raft, may the words of our Creator be our weapon, and may we find rest and peace as we navigate this new normal. 

My One Word for 2020

Chase.
Be.
Transform.
Courage.
Trust.
Diligent.

Six years of words I spent one year with.

I have had several words scrawled on a piece of paper that I have been praying through.  I even discussed a few with my counselor. I don't announce or commit to my word, until I process it through writing. As I began this post earlier this month, it dawned on me that this will be the 7th year I have focused on one word for one year. This seems significant, no it is significant.

The significance has made it harder for me to complete my post regarding my word for this year. I started the post, but my word never felt confirmed and the words that I had written weren’t quite connecting with my soul. These one word posts have always been easy to write. I took the lack of confirmation, connection, and difficulty I was having as the Lord saying wait. The wait is over.

Studying Hebrew for the last few years, I have learned that each letter pictures something and has a number value. I would love to linger with you over coffee, telling you the many wonders I have learned from studying the language of the Bible, but for the focus of this post, I will share just a snippet from one letter. The letter that is 7 in the Hebrew aleph-bet is zayin  (ז). There are numerous truths to learn from this letter and it's value. It pictures a weapon and it’s form represents a sword. It also symbolizes Shabbat. Shabbat is the day of rest, the seventh day of the week. It begins on sundown Friday and ends on sundown Saturday. The picture of rest and fighting in this one letter inspires me. We have to fight, we need to put in work, but we need rest. We can't be ready for battle if we have not rested.

On February 1, I finished listening to a sermon by Michael Todd with Transformation Church. (You can listen to that sermon, here.)  In his message, the word resolve slapped me in the face a dozen or more times. I am pretty sure I can still see the imprint on my cheek or maybe I am just feeling the sting.

I hesitated to consider this word at first, because there was a word I wanted to use. I liked the meaning, it resonated with me, but it was never confirmed. I was reluctant because resolve seems so similar to diligent, the word I just focused on.  However, with every impact the word resolve grew roots in my heart, soul, and mind.

Resolve means a firm determination to do something, to form a purpose. Michael Todd stated in his sermon, "resolve is greater then results."  I think my face just got slapped again typing those words. I tend to focus on the results in some areas. I don't start writing the blog post, chapter, or book out of concern for the conclusion and burden of perfection.I want the healing that needs to occur, but I don't want to feel the pain. I easily get discouraged in my health journey, because I am focused on the end. I can be result minded, not process inclined.

I have to make a resolve. A resolve to take up the weapon and rest that the letter zayin teaches and apply it to my life and what G-d has for me.  Life requires battles. It requires rest. I need to resolve to do both.  Michael Todd states, "if you workout always looking for the result it will discourage the work."  I don't want to discourage the work I am made for. I don't want to discourage the work G-d wants to do. This year I want to be resolve minded. It is in this 7th year that I can fight, put in the work, and rest to allow me to have purpose in my moments, create habits that transform, and glean wisdom along the way. Going through the process and not around will create a result. I can't have a result, if I don't have a resolve.

One Word.

One Year. 

Resolve.