Israel/Greece - Renewal 6/12/2017

We were tired.  We had an very early flight from Tel Aviv to Athens.  Israeli security requests 3 hours minimum before a flight departs.  So we got up in the morning by 2 AM for our 3 AM checkout, one hour drive, and arrival for our 7 AM flight.  Everything went smoothly and helped with enough caffeine.  We were in Greece by mid morning.

Martha, our coordinator, and tour guide Thena, met us and we promptly headed south to the region of Ancient Corinth. 

We visited the old Corinth harbor at Cenchreae where the apostle Paul once arrived and sailed from.  

We lunched along the Corinth Canal, and lastly we walked the streets of Ancient Corinth.  

Paul was definitely here at one time, as were many other notable Bible followers of Christ. Many places he may have walked are conjecture - the forum, the main street to the port, perhaps the shops or places in the water district area.  But one place we know for sure Paul stood was the Beme, the judgement seat of Corinth.

Here Paul prepared to defend himself before the Roman pro counsel, only to see his case dismissed.

Paul’s influence and memory of what he taught (and the One he taught about) has long outlasted the city where he spent over 18 months.

Later we drove down the coast to Nafplio, a town along the shore of the Argolic Gulf in the Eastern Peloponnese in the south of Greece.  It had been a long but filling day, and we looked forward to a couple of days to reset and renew.

As the Apostle Paul once wrote to the very city we had just visited:  "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day." (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Israel - Ascent 6/11/2017

On Sunday, we spent the day in the Temple Mount area.  It isn't easy to get up on the Temple Mount - heavy security, very limited hours - but it is something I've looked forward to for a long time.  And before we knew it, we are standing atop Mount Moriah.  Of course, it looks nothing like a mountain now, but it was here Abraham took Isaac to be sacrificed.  Here David sacrificed to stop the plague from devastating Jerusalem.  Here Solomon's Temple and the 2nd Temple once stood.  Jesus taught in these courtyards, and entered through the Golden Gate.  Peter healed the lame man and preached to many.

And in the place where multitudes have come to pray over thousands of years, we stood, too.

A short distance from the Temple Mount were beautiful gardens, a church with fine acoustics where we sang praises to God, and the remains of the pool where Jesus healed the man sick for thirty-eight years.  We left the old city through the gate Stephen was taken through when he was martyred.m

Later we prayed with others at Western Wall, the last remnants of the Temple Mount support walls from the time of Jesus, and walked on the same market streets and stones that the 1st century shoppers would have walked.

We lunched and shopped in the Jerusalem souks, dodging other shoppers, delivery carts, and overzealous shop owners.

A group of us went down to the old city of David and explored the Siloam pool tunnels.  One, possibly the tunnel Joab used to capture Jerusalem for David, the other built by King Hezekiah to ensure a steady water supply should the city be under siege. The waters of Siloam still flow quick and cool, and it felt  a bit like Indiana Jones wading through the ankle to knee deep water through the ancient tunnels.

But the highlight was ascending the southern steps of the Temple, steps built by King Herod, and almost certainly used by Jesus and Peter for going to the temple or teaching.  Walking up these ancient steps recalls the Psalms of Ascent (120-134), including, "I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”"

It was not hard to visualize Peter preach from these steps.  We worshipped here together today, broke bread and shared the Lord's Supper.  And I was honored to be able to read Peter's Pentecost sermon for our group.  A convicting message that concluded, “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” (Acts 2:36)

Israel - Walking where Jesus walked 6/10/2017

One year ago today was a day focusing on Jesus.  We spent the morning in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus spent his last night in prayer and agony.  We spent time near the same olive trees that may been young saplings when Jesus was there. 

We looked over the Holy City where Jesus may have wept over Jerusalem, and where David may have, too, when he fled from Absalom.

We listened to the Lord's Prayer in Hebrew, then Latin, then all together in English.

We meditated on Psalm 88 in the dungeon where Jesus may have been held the night of his trial, and the nearby courtyard where Peter denied knowing Jesus.  We saw the Roman road that Jesus may have traveled down on the way to Caiphas and to Pilate.

We walked the path Jesus walked from his scourging and mocking to his death.  We saw and knelt and touched the rock that held his cross.  We stooped low to see a portion of the stone that sealed his tomb, and touched the now empty slab that once held his body.  We listened to the chants, songs, and prayers of his followers, and made friends with Italians, Greeks, Mexicans, French, and Peruvians who also came to honor our Lord.

Other places try to claim they have the correct location, but just don't have the history, archaeology, or tradition behind them.

But while all the places are interesting and quite moving, it isn't most important exactly where Jesus suffered, walked, prayed, was jailed, was beaten, died, or was buried.  Most important is that the tomb is empty, and our Lord has conquered death, is risen and lives!

"Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!" (Mark 16:6)

Israel - Thirsty in a dry and weary land 6/9/2017

We began our day visiting the site on the Jordan River very near where John the Baptist did his baptizing, on the Israel/Jordan border, and possibly where Jesus was baptized.  As we posed for a group picture, a white dove flew overhead.  They are quite common in the area, but was still a unique experience.

We drove further south along the Dead Sea through the Judean Wilderness and soaring temperatures to Masada.  It is a mesa rising high above the sea, and was the location of one of Herod the Great's palaces.  The location in the arid wilderness was even possible because of the cisterns built within the palace complex that would capture the area's rare rainfall - 2 inches per year - and store it in caves and basins carved within the plateau.  Herod never lived there, but the cisterns enabled over 900 Jews fleeing the Romans to withstand a siege for nearly a year before they chose death over slavery.

We also visited Qumran, where many of the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  Temperatures here reached nearly 108°!  The Qumran residents of the 1st century also used cisterns to capture rainwater to meet their needs.

Our last stop was the Dead Sea itself where we floated - bobbed like a cork is more like it - in the very heavily salty water. It was hot, crowded, and the salt and mud felt odd to the skin.  It was fun.

All the while we drank several liters of water to stay hydrated.  

But despite the heat and lack of rainfall, it is amazing to see how much still grows there.  Through the millennia, humans have found a way to meet their thirst needs in this dry land.  And one man in particular wrote of what this need was like:

"O God, you are my God;

I earnestly search for you.

My soul thirsts for you;

my whole body longs for you

in this parched and weary land

where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1)

This picture was taken in En-Gedi, the area where David once hid.

Israel - Kings, Mountains, and Mustard Seeds 6/8/2017

Another full day, this time almost entirely in the region around Bethlehem.

We started the day first at the Israel Museum to see the scale model of 1st Century Jerusalem to gain perspective on what we will see later in the week.  The museum is also the keeper of some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and many of these were on display.

We first did a bit of shopping in a Arab Christian shop in Bethlehem, run by the family of the man who first recognized the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls.  They have many fine, hand carved olive wood pieces, jewelry, and certified antiquities.

We visited a cave in a park on the edge of town that has been preserved as an example of what a cave home looked like in the shepherds' fields.  

And the long-awaited stop was the church of the Nativity, built over the cave long revered as the birthplace of Jesus. One must stoop low to enter the church, then descend into a cave beneath the church to see the rock floor where tradition since the 1st century holds Jesus was born, and the nearby manger hewn from the original rock.  Cindy was quite moved by the experience.  Later we listened to the Armenian Apostolic priests sing their prayers, one responding to the other.

Finally, we ascended Herodium, the man-made mountain for one of the palaces of Herod the Great, and also the location of his tomb.  It is an active archaeological site, and it was fascinating to see the ruins and the views from the top - from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea.

As we headed down, we saw a mustard tree and were reminded of Jesus’ story on faith:

“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20)

So on the side of the man-made mountain built by a human king over looking the birthplace of the King of kings, we saw the symbol of the faith Jesus wants us to have.

Israel - Oh, What a sip of water can do 6/7/2017

We had quite a few "Wow" moments on our trip, but the biggest for me so far was one year ago today.

I stood in the Jordan River and witnessed 14 of my fellow pilgrims reaffirm their commitment to Christ through immersion in the river.  It was a great moment.

Later we drove along the River Road, the same road Jesus and his family and disciples would've traveled between Galilee and Jerusalem.  We entered the Palestinian Territories and drove through the hills and canyons of Samaria, and had a feast of a lunch at a restaurant on the side of the hill where the Northern Kingdom capital of Samaria once stood.  

We descended through the Judean Wilderness back to the Jordan Valley to Jericho.  There we saw the spring tradition says was made pure by Elisha.  We walked up the Tel, the hill created over multiple civilizations, of Jericho where the people of Israel and Joshua achieved their first victory in the Promised Land.  From the Tel we could see the Dead Sea and Mount Nebo in the distance. And we could see the traditional site where Jesus was tempted atop a mountain.

It was moving when we caught our first glimpse of the towers of Jerusalem and our first look at the Holy City.

But for me, the biggest "Wow" so far in this trip was in the city of Nablus, the ancient site of Sychar, between the two peaks of Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim.  There sits a Greek Orthodox Church, St. Photini Church at Bir Ya'qub.  Previous churches have existed at the site since the 4th century, and even long before that the site was known to pilgrims.  Because at that site is a well long attributed to Jacob, grandson of Abraham and the father of the 12 Patriarchs. And if this is indeed the well dug by Jacob, it is the same well Jesus sat at when the Samaritan woman came to draw water.

"Jesus had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food." (John 4:4-8)

We entered the church and descended into a room beneath the church.  A small stone well was there.  The well was deep - when water was poured back in, it was a few seconds before we heard the splash.  A bucket was lowered and a few of us took towards tuning the handle to crank the water back up. We drank from the water in the well, likely the same well Jesus ask for a drink from.  

WOW.  For the first time this trip, I was moved to tears as I helped raise the bucket and tasted the cool sweet water.  A moment I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to experience.

Israel - A touch of faith 6/6/2017

One year ago today was definitely a day of walking where Jesus walked.  And boated.

We began our day cruising in a wooden boat north along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.  The water was almost a flat calm.  We sang, read scriptures, watched nets cast (no fish), danced to Jewish folk songs, and enjoyed the water Jesus and the Twelve spent so much time on.

We drove north into upper Galilee and the upper Jordan valley, a land rich in agriculture.  We could see the hills of Lebanon and we crossed into the Golan Heights.  We were reminded of the more recent unpleasantries as we saw still uncleared mine fields, barbed wire, and the border zone.  

Nearby were the ruins of Caesarea Philippi and the pagan temples of Banias.  Here springs from the base of Mt. Hermon mark the source of the Jordan River.  And in this area, Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.

On our return, we stopped and lunched near Magdala (we ate St. Peter’s fish), and walked the hilltop where Jesus may have preached his sermons and the Beatitudes.  We touched the sea where Peter three times reaffirmed his love to the Messiah, and visited the ancient traditional site of the feeding of the 5000.  Lastly we walked amidst the ruins of Capernaum, where Peter lived and Jesus spent much of his ministry.

As we finished the afternoon in Galilee, the wind had picked up significantly and the once calm lake was dotted in white-capped waves.  

Remembering the calm that morning, I was reminded of another day when the weather changed suddenly:  

"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”" (Matthew 8:23-27)

Israel - Meeting Our Needs 6/5/2017

By the end of our first full day of touring, we were tired but very filled.  Where do we begin?  In less than 12 hours we traveled from sea level at Caesarea where Paul preached to governors and kings, to 1500 feet about sea level where Elijah proved to Israel that there is one god, and the Lord is that God.  We walked about the palace gates of Solomon (or could've been Ahab) in Megiddo, saw remnants of the ancient streets and homes where the child Jesus once played, and renewed our vows near the site where Jesus met the needs of a wedding host who had run out of wine. Our day has ended over 500 feet below sea level overlooking the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent so much of his life.

But maybe the moment I treasure most today was resting in our room, looking at the blue of the Sea and the red of the cliffs and remembering a day when Jesus met another need. 

"Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it." (John 21:4-6)

Israel - Land of many faces 6/4/2017

We’d been in the Holy Land three full days.  We’d met several people who lived there, and seen many others.  Our guide on the Judean hills tour is of Eastern Europe descent on his father's father's side.  His mother is Scottish.  His wife is from Morocco and she has family from India.

Our guide who would be with us for the first part of the tour week is an Arab Christian.  He welcomed us home as we are now pilgrims in the birthplace of our faith.

The Holy Land is a place of many faces from many nations.

I know we will see many more faces from diverse backgrounds and heritages, and each will remind me of God's promise to Abraham, "And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:18)

Israel - Paths of Giants 6/3/2017

The past two days have filled us.  We have walked the streets and along the harbor of Jaffa, where Jonah set sail trying to flee God, where the cedars of Lebanon arrived destined for Solomon’s Temple, and where Peter raised Dorcas and saw God's vision to teach the Good News to the Gentiles.  

We drove in the hills and valleys where Samson lived and wandered, the land of first allocated to the tribe of Dan.  Near the growing city of Bet Shemesh (in the left distant background in the picture below), whose predecessor village once housed the Ark of the Covenant.

But one highlight was climbing and standing atop the hill of Azekah, where the Philistines once camped, and overlooking the Elah Valley (behind me to the right) where David defeated Goliath.

“You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (1 Samuel 17:45)

The joy to walk the same paths as prophets, apostles, judges, shepherds, warriors, giants, and kings.

Israel - A land of Milk and Honey...and Wine, Olive Oil, and Grain 6/2/2017

Our friends had not yet arrived in Israel, so we made plans to see the Judean hills.  A guide, Barak, met us at our hotel and drove us south into the ancient land of milk & honey.

We drove south into the Judean hills and the land once allocated to the tribe of Dan. Often we were within sight of or a very short distance from towns once visited by Samson.  We skirted past Eshta’ol on the way to our first stop, an Israeli settlement called T’zora very near to the village where Samson was born.

We soon learned the land is abundant, not only in “milk and honey”’ but also in grain, vineyards, orchards, and other crops.  At each of our stops, we were offered fruits of the land, from the vineyards, the olive orchards, the grain fields.  We learned of the Jewish view of God's blessings on how the land will sustain His people.  They have a proverb:  "A liter of wine, a cup of olive oil, a bit of grain will sustain one each day."

It brought to mind the words of the psalmist, "You cause grass to grow for the livestock and plants for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth - wine to make them glad, olive oil to soothe their skin, and bread to give them strength" (Psalm 104:14-15).

We are looking forward to more of God's blessings.

Israel - The Sea 6/1/2017

This was a new experience for me.  One year ago, we were flying over the Mediterranean Sea on our way to the Holy Land.  But even from the air, the past was clearly visible.  The harbor near the ancient city of Perga, where Paul once sailed to, and where John Mark left for home.  The isle of Cyprus and the coastline of Paphos where Paul preached the Good News of Jesus to the proconsul.  And as we landed in Israel, watching the sun set over this ancient land.  

The next morning, I was sitting on our balcony, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, hearing the waves and the sounds of voices speaking and praying in the languages of the Holy Land.  All while I was reading God's words.  All of the sounds around me, and I hear His voice, too.  

"The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.

The God of glory thunders.

The Lord thunders over the mighty sea." (Psalms 29:3)

Survived, but...

We survived Harvey. 

We were on vacation when word of the Hurricane came, and its threat to the Houston area.  We were too far from home to get home before the weather made it impossible to get home.  

We were far from home, and never had a chance to prepare.  A close friend, who lives in an area with mandatory evacuation, moved his family into our house for a few days while we were unable to get home.  Having someone there helped relieve our stress a bit, and we feel for them as they are under increased stress.  We prayed that the worst indeed is past and not yet to come.  The unknown is stressful.

We were able to get to the Dallas area and stayed with Cindy's brother.  Got there around 4 pm on Sunday.  At the time we didn't know when we would be able to get home.  It was tough.  It would have been nice to be in our own house, even with the storm raging. But being up in the Dallas area meant we were safe, and having someone in our house helped because they could tell if the house was fine.  They and other neighbors checked on creek levels.  But still, very frustrating. 

Cindy contracted Shingles while I was in Abilene in early August for a reunion.  She felt well enough to travel for our vacation to see the August solar eclipse, but she was still in pain as her body healed.  She tired very easily. 

Just after we arrived in the Dallas area, I talked Sunday night to our son-in-law. He went to the ER with chest pain the previous Friday morning. They ran tests and confirmed he had  a heart attack. They performed a catheter and stint to repair the blockage. Two days later he came home good as new. But this was a "bring me to my knees" scary.

We prayed as they begin to make changes and adjustments as a family to continue improving his health. And for our daughter as she processes the events of the weekend.

Prayer was all we had for many moments.  Our friends who have already lost much.  Friends who have had to leave home.  

Then on Tuesday, my Dad & stepmom were evacuated from their house.  They moved in with my sister, who lives nearby.  We now know that they took some water in their house.  Not much, but enough to keep them from moving back in for several days.  I am helping where I can.  

We made it home on Thursday, and on the next day I went to their house, walking about a mile in waders through the flood waters. A little water got in the house. The front two rooms have soggy carpets, and some damage in the walls of one of those rooms and also in another tiled room walls.  Throw rugs in two tiled rooms were drenched. There was also some water in their bedroom, carpets only and not in the walls.  Thankfully, their cars in the garage appeared to be dry.

I was grateful for the 3 young men who helped me carry across the street through high water the heavy and very full garbage bag of necessary items from the house, and the other 3 young men who let me ride in their jeep to the high ground where Dad was waiting.

On Monday, I spent most of the morning at the house with two young couples from their home church. The young people pulled the carpets from three rooms and the closets.  Some furniture was also tossed.  I got to clean out the defrosted freezers and fridge. 😝 

About 6 inches of sheetrock and baseboards were removed from two rooms. More baseboards also taken out of the bedroom closets.  The only damaged furniture (so far) was from the living room. Some clothes from closets may need to tossed if not cleanable.

My stepmom's son came to help with more cleanup and sanitizing the house, spending lots of time trying to make it more livable when they can move back in.

Cindy is still in a lot of discomfort during this long recovery from Shingles.

By the grace of God we survived Harvey, but at times I have felt completely overwhelmed.  Sometimes faith is tested by the big challenges in life.  Other times, it is tested by one body blow after another, a roller coaster of ups and downs in a few short days.  We're still here, still faithful.  We are not the same as two short weeks ago. 

Well-Watered

Little Lilly,

Welcome to our family, precious one.  We knew the day was coming soon, and Mamaw and I were filled with joy when your Daddy sent us the first picture and message that Lillian Elizabeth “Lilly” Riddle has joined our family.

We rushed to see you as quickly as we could.  Your Nana, Grandma, and big sister had already arrived.  As one family we loved on you and stood in awe at the gift God had given to your Mommy and Daddy.

We all especially loved watching the wonder and joy of your big sister, Katie, as she held you and smiled at you.  The most precious moment came when you were getting your first bath.  Katie turned to her Grandma and said, “My eyes keep getting watery.”

It was tears of joy, and tears all of us shared with Katie.

We all were, at that moment, a well-watered family.

Little Lilly, before you were born you were prized and cherished.  Mommy could feel you move while you were still inside her.  She would tell us of the excitement Katie had when she, too, could feel you move.  At Christmas just before you were born, we could see your Mommy’s shirt move around as you wiggled around inside.  

Our God has also known you, even before any of us did.  He loves you and looks forward to you learning about Him.

When you came home for that first time, I prayed, thanking God for your safe delivery;  For your Momma that she rests and stays well, for your Daddy who loves you, your Momma, and your sister;  For your grandmothers, Nana, Grandma, and Mamaw.  And I prayed for your parents that they may remember the experiences they have had with being a Mommy and Daddy to raise you with wisdom.

We do not yet know what opportunities God will give you as your grow.  But we pray you will continue to have a well-watered life.  

On our way home, Mamaw and I stopped at a little cafe for lunch.  There was a message from God on the daily menu, and it said:

"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring." (Isaiah 58:11). 

And for the next several days, God reminded me of this message over and over again.

I am grateful for the garden He has given - a wonderful family; For the springs of love that make it grow;  And for the new, precious Lilly.

Love you, my little one.

Always.

Papaw

What's Important

A reminder of what's important - Cindy & I were playing with our granddaughter at a playground.  A young woman was here with her three children.  

As we played (and helped occasionally with hers), she commented, "Y'all  are so sweet. It really makes me miss my parents right now."