Tuesday and Wednesday 10-11Apr18

Today, it's gorgeous by the Dead Sea.  Most of the group is at the beach, floating high in the 33% salinity water or at the pool.  We're at the lowest spot on the face of the earth.  I've gotten plenty of Sun and I need more of a shady spot to nap, reflect and write. Glad for the "time off" - it's been intense and like drinking from a fire hose.

Yesterday, we set out to Makhtesh Ramon. (Makhtesh?? - Wikipedia will help). But we sat over this spot formed through great geological forces thinking about the greatness of God and the eternal nature of His plan and faithfulness. Rick Warren's opening line in Purpose Driven Life is, "It's not about you." And when you stand on the edge of a crater 25 miles long, you are humbled while God's majesty is exalted - but for me the next thought was powerful - The same God who created this has personally visited my life and my heart through His Spirit and I share in the life of His Son.  Wow! Here's an important nugget that came even clearer. The Bible records amazing stories of interesting characters, but it's not about them either - The Story is about God and how God reaches into the world He created to touch creatures he loves.

Walking in the footsteps of
Moses and the Israelites

From there to Timnah and it's desert. Israeli/Sinai deserts are not so much sand, but stone.  Rocks of all sizes - NASTY to walk on/through. My weak ankles would have been trash without good hiking boots. There we hiked out to a cliff and rock formation where Egyptian copper mines have been uncovered. We hiked around the cliff and started around it a again when one of us said, "Haven't we been here before?" And Pastor Danielle responded, "Welcome to the world of the wandering Israelites." We'd been out in the sun for maybe 65 minutes, ready to complain. They were there 40 years, mostly trekking in circles, with the most unyieldingly harsh terrain and weather you can imagine. But the solitude for us was heavy with the presence of the Lord. "Only good things come from the desert" said the prophets and rabbis . "We learn with our feet, things we can't discover any other way." said Pastor Kevin.  If you want to understand a bit of what God showed me - just read Deuteronomy 8.

Jen and Phoebe at
Solomon's Pillars

Life Sized Tabernacle

From there we hiked over to Solomon's Pillars (just the name - Solomon had nothing to do with it) an Egyptian/Midianite pagan temple where was discoverd a Midianite bronze serpent and small Egyptian cow idol. Another hike ensued, and as we summited a ridge Kevin said, "Last year they discovered the original Old Testament Tabernacle," and as we tilted his head, he said "Just kidding."  But there it was; a correct to-scale replica of the Tabernacle erected by a group of Southern Baptists to give everyone a view of worship from the books of Moses, in the environment the real would have occupied.  Interesting.


Then a long drive down to Eilat on the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) (from the shore you can see Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt).  It felt just amazing to dip my weary feet in the cool waters.

Masada - Palace of an Egomaniac

Last night our hotel was on the shores of the Dead Sea (Salt Sea - scripturally).  This morning, Pastor Kevin gave us an inspiring tour of Masada where the last 960 Jewish Zealots held out against the Romans in 73/74 AD.  Their story inspires. The palace is opulent - built by King Herod and  amazingly preserved until excavated in the 1970's.  You can see the fine columns and many of the mosaic floors and wall painted designs.  They are original - not restorations. Protected under rubble and by the desert dryness. 


What a great last couple of days.  Tomorrow: En Gedi, Qumran and up to the Galilee.  This is not the easy way to do a study trip to Israel.  It's exhausting and deeply enriching all a the same time.  So blessed to be here.  Thanking God that He has let me see and experience things I never thought I would do. The everlasting God cares for me... and not just me... for you.

Monday in southern Israel

We've only just begun this journey, but already I feel immersed and surrounded by this beautiful land. I'm enjoying our group; I'm powerfully blessed to be with my daughter and I'm so consumed by my God's great love for me and you. I would have never been able to anticipate it, but you experience the Bible in new ways here. There were several moments when tears filled my eyes today, not of sorrow, of grateful thanks. I put pieces together that I thought I got during Seminary.. but they are a whole lot deeper and this takes it to a whole new level. So what have we done on day two?

Our leaders, Pastor Kevin
and Pastor Danielle

We sojourned with Abraham. We investigated a temple in a ruin from the divided kingdom. We experienced the wilderness of Zin. We had a bedouin experience and some even rode camels. It was alot today, but again WOW! what I learned.

Well at Beersheva
Abes? I doubt it.

Jen and a Tamarisk
They really do cool.

We had morning devotions at Tel Beersheva and reflected there on how God's promise to Abraham put his vision on the future and the promises that would be fulfilled in future generations.  There he planted a Tamarisk tree - one of the slowest growing trees, that is amazingly cool when grown.  He'd never receive it's benefit, but by God's promise he planted for the future.  Beersheva was a home for Abraham (Gen 22) - Here he dug a well made a  covenant with thee priest Abimelech (Gen 21) Near Beersheba, God rescued Hagar (Gen 21).

Arad was a fascinating place. There was uncovered a temple with evidence of the syncretism (intermixing paganism) that brought such condemnation by the Prophets. There we delved deeper into the Covenant God made with Abraham (Gen 15) and the ancient practice of cutting a covenant and how God providing for Abraham anticipates the work of the cross where God himself will pay the penalty for our sins.


Onward to the Wilderness of Zin, the place the 12 spies entered the Promised Land.  We marched up a canyon to a gorgeous little waterfall that looked like it was coming out of the rock. The day was gorgeous, but the hike up that desert canyon was challenging and I can't  imagine God's People enduring that for 40 years. Such was the consequence of seeing the difficulties bigger than the promises of God.

Then nearby, we got to sit in a bedouin tent, sip sweet tea, and learn about hospitality of this nomadic people who also trace their lineage to Abraham.  Remember he welcomed strangers and discovered that He had opened his home to the Lord who had appeared as traveling strangers (Gen 19).  

I'm tired.  But so glad tonight that I came.  Thank you for encouraging and praying for me.

Sunday - First Day

Oh, my goodness!  What an amazing day.  I couldn't begin to tell you all I've learned or how inspirational this day has been.  It's not relaxed and easy, but is it ever worth it!
Early rise - breakfast together then a walk to the park above the beach where Pastor Danielle led devotions.  Remember we were in Tel Aviv, on the edge of Jaffa (biblical Joppa). Our devotions took a look the places Joppa is recorded - Jonah / 2 Chron 2 / Acts 10.  Linked together by an amazing theme.  It has always been God's plan that from this Land, the know-ledge of the Lord would reach people at the ends of the earth.  Jonah assigned this challenge to the Ninevites - a cruel society he hated - became the most successful prophet ever and he resented it cause he didn't share God's heart for people.  Peter, likewise had to be cajoled through a vision to take the gospel to Gentiles which God authenticated through the same signs of Pentecost.  Wow! From here, God demonstrated how much he cares for and wants to reach lost people. No barrier can be allowed to stall us.  We are the recipients of God's great love and grace and still he calls us to reach even those who we might not think worthy of His mercy.

Tell Gezer

We arrived and hiked up Gezer on the Aijalon valley (the first tough hike) where in Gideon's battle, the sun stood still.  It was one of the major fortifications erected by Solomon and we examined the six chambered gates characteristic only of Solomonic construction.  Gezer has a longer story, but I can't tell it all.  (Bummer - first archaeological tell we examine and I left my camera in the bus).  Jen took photos.

Understanding the strategy of  taking
and holding the Promised Land

Then to Beth Shemesh, Samson's hometown and where the Israelites received back the Ark of the Lord after it was taken in battle with the Philistines. Reading the text at those places, you  stand there and picture those events.  The points of the story just get driven home and they're not your typical Sunday School application.

Great picnic lunch stuffing our own pita. No hiking involved.

Above where David dealt
with Goliath

Onward to the Elah Valley, (David and Goliath) and Khirbet Qeiyafa (uffda the hike!) where very recent archaological discoveries have confirmed an important biblical site and helps verify the biblical claims of King David's governance.  There they found the oldest example of Hebrew writing which when translated, sounds amazingly like several verses in Deuteronomy.

So tonight we're in Beersheva a key place in Abraham's story (Gen 12, 21, 26).  It's a very modern large city today and we're checked in to a great hotel with a great dinner buffet. We've hiked hills that felt like mountains, we've stumbled over way too many rocks and I'm sunburned on top of it all, but we head to bed, so satisfied with our day.  Thank you God.

Saturday in Tel Aviv

Less to report tonight.  It's been a quiet and restful day in preparation for a big one tomorrow and the start of our journeys.  Jen arrived at about 1:30AM and was excited.  There was also catching up to do, so it was probably 2:30 or 3 before we closed our eyes.  Good night's sleep and didn't get up til about 9 with hotel breakfast at 9:30. 

Lots and lots of people ending Passover holidays here at the Grand Beach hotel.  Breakfast with Jen and her travel-mate Amy in a huge crowded dining room was another cultural experience.  I'm a people-watcher and there was lots to observe.  There was a huge buffet  breakfast. Lots of new flavors to enjoy.  Yep, I'm also a foodie.

Several of our group arrived today. Some of the group is from So Carolina, others like Jen are from California.  It seems like a grand bunch to travel and learn with.

Lovely Beach near shopping Boardwalk

This afternoon we walked on the boardwalk and beach.  The old port is a beautiful shopping area and I was amazed to see shops of all the usual international brands.  Stores were open and crowded on Shabbat!  Even with the Sabbath inconveniences, Tel Aviv is still a more secular city than a lot of the country.  Kevin (one of our tour leaders) said, "I'm sure you can find bacon in town."

Tel Aviv by night

Tonight as a Bar Mitzvah was happening in another part of the hotel we connected with our team and had dinner together.  Still nothing "yeasty" till Passover ends at sundown.  Two of our group will arrive yet tonight and we'll be up early to head out in the morning - boots and water bottle ready. Jaffa (Joppa), Gezer, Beth Shemesh,  Khirbet Qeiyafa / Shaarim, Caves of Adullam, Beth Guvrin. Lachish - all that tomorrow.

Friday - Shabbat at the end of Passover.

Someone must have forgotten to pray for me today.... more on that later.

So the last couple of days, I've noticed people wishing me Shabbat Shalom, but sundown tonight started Shabbat.  Well, it's Passover with tonight starting its final day, Sabbath. All Passover, the appropriate greeting is apparently Shabbat Shalom. Who (among gentiles) knew? And with it being a week of holiday here and Shabbat to boot, a few arrangements  have been difficult.

Don't try to ride bus on Shabbat in Israel - they don't run.  Don't know why buses don't run during Friday day time this week.... So, I rented a bike. You've perhaps seen them in metro areas - ugly green 3 speeds. Over here they also have a child seat. So don't try to "leg over" the back or you'll end up on the ground like I did.  I either separated a rib or broke one and spent the day in discomfort. Not a great bike, either. Yep, I need my girls traveling with me - they often intervene to save me from my stupid alter-ego. I forget how old this body is really.

Rode bike across the city to Eretz Israel Museum.  What a great place! - a museum of "the land Israel."  All were amazing exhibits. 

The ceramics are very important to date archaeological layers, and this was amazing - not just for the biblical periods but all back to pre-history.

If you can click
expand and read

 





Tel Qasile - is right on the grounds - a Philistine site dated probably to the pre-Judges (think pre-Samson) period fully excavated with several temples to their sea-creature gods.
 

Ancient Philistine Temple Complex

I really loved photo exhibits of the current wildlife of Israel.

Photo of a photo of 2 squid
in Gulf of Aqaba
planning to swim with them soon

I also enjoyed the numismatic display with the history of coinage. Especially loved seeing lots of Roman and Greek era coins. Those photos are really boring.

Rode a different bike back (not much be) to Hotel Gilgal for my luggage and thought I could hire a taxi to get over to Grand Beach Hotel.  Nope, not on pre-Shabbat Friday afternoon. So I dosed up on Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen and dragged my 2 wheeled cases for about a mile and a half.  Glad they don't attack gentiles for working on Shabbat.  Got checked in here - showered - found an open pizzeria and had supper before sitting down to write to you.  Jen should arrive about midnight having flown from SanFran to Istanbul to Tel Aviv.

Enjoyable Relaxing (sort of) Day

Breakfast at the Hotel Gilgal

My daughter Jen arrives tomorrow and the study tour coalesces on Sat. I believe our Tour guide/teachers are already in town to catch up on recent archeological finds.

Today I walked all over creation, as the saying goes.  Breakfast at the hotel was grand... Yes I do pickled herring and sardines for breakfast and I now love shakshuka and even baba ganoush.

Suk - Spices and Veg

Trekked up the hill to the Suk twice. Amazing fruit, vegs, spices. Lemons larger than most grapefruit I see in MN. Sights and smells all an adventurous feast. Tried my hand at dickering. Walked away from her twice, but beckoned back for a better price on a carry-on case. I got the price down, paid dollars but got stung on the change in shekels. I should have stared at my open hand longer.

Narrow in here,
but I've passed the freaky part

Walking and taking it all in... The Grand Synagogue, the Shalom Tower. Also this AM. I had some of the most intense chocolate sorbet I've ever tasted.

Quick nap this afternoon. Then walked down to the Mahmoudiyya Mosque and back through Neve Tzedek and the Yemenite Quarter. It's really important on a hike like that to keep an eye on Google maps. Distracted by the sites - how did I end up at the Suk a third time. I know my way back from there.

This evening is quiet. Checking the news - it's probably good I'm missing.  A cup of sweet Moroccan Mint Tea in the lobby and back to my book American Evangelicals & Modern Israel: a Plea for Tough Love by a pastor friend from NW MN and then to my Israel geography study guide.  Whew!

Oh... You can help by praying for these old knees. Lots of hiking when the group gets here.

Long Travel Day - Blessed different from expected.

I love it that I have friends who pray for me and expect BIG things to happen.  God likes that too; I know He does and He delights to surprise me with how creatively He answers. This has been an amazing day - Just to know that I'm realizing a life long desire is amazing enough. But there are surprising pieces that bring me huge joy.

My friend Terry, told me last week that she had already praying for the people I would sit with.  I was going to be smart and ask "Am I that bad?"  But I know how she prays and I started anticipating opportunities to help not-yet-believers put their faith in Christ. I love those conversations, but today I've had some crazy, wonderful connections with believers.

Today's scenery

I was "wired" and chatty the first flight. Sat next to a woman from Southern MN who works for the WNBA, but she was mostly into the WonderWoman movie. At check in,  I helped take a family picture for folks who ended up on my plane to the front and side of me.  15 min into the flight, I discovered he's Children's Pastor at a Bible Church in Topeka. We had ministry connections and common friends to talk about. And I about flipped, Terry, when she dug into her Young Living Essential Oils. Did you send her?

The long flight was Toronto to Brussels.  I sat next to a woman from Ghana flying there to visit family. She immediately asked me what I do and said, "Oh, you're a pastor! I'm honored!" Africans honor pastors above how I'm comfortable, but as I asked about her, she pulled out her book titled, "Discover Your Spiritual Gifts" a rewrite of a book by Dr Peter Wagner, who was my faculty advisor in my advanced degree at Fuller.  I could almost quote her the first chapter.  I was kind of talked out by my last flight.

Gorgeous Ben Gurion Airport

Flying across Greece and Turkey probably had amazing scenery but I was in the middle seat.  I caught glimpses of snowy peaks and an occasional bay on the Mediterranean below.  I napped for 10 minutes before we landed.  Taxied to my hotel amazed how modern and beautiful TelAviv is.

Hotel Gilgal

OK so, I just looked at booking websites a month ago and picked a decent, moderate priced hotel near the beach and where I will link up with my Tour group Friday. I had no idea till I arrived  that I had booked into a hotel run by Messianic Jews who are faithful followers of Yeshua (that's Jesus in Hebrew).  Became aware only when I perused their lobby library - many by Christian authors.  Some books are also in my library.

Dr Doug Bookman and his tour group

Then returning from my walk to the beach, I recognized a guy in the lobby I couldn't place, but I knew him. Dr. Doug Bookman is twin brother to Crystal Livesay from my church in Owatonna.  Doug and I did a wedding together years ago.  He's an amazing Bible Teacher, College and Seminary professor. He's leading a study tour booked into my hotel.  What a surprise!  Ate dinner with their team and had great conversation about their tour and our common friends.

It was a tiring travel day.  But being attentive to what God's hand is creating brings huge delight. Tired but pleased and blest. Headed to bed.