For Such A Time As This

MANY MONTHS AND MANY MILES

2008-12-16T09:42:00.002+02:00

Earlier this year, I stood on the streets of Jerusalem in a snow storm, and freezing to death, was having the time of my life. It's a new time for me now, and I'm enjoying being a 3rd grade teacher at Grace Academy, but it is hard not to miss my home away from home and the people that are there. I have been home almost 7 months and haven't posted...busyness of American life, me being lazy, or something like that. I can't believe how much change change over many months and many miles. In some ways, I am happy with how I've changed, and in other ways I'm disappointed. One thing I do know is that the Lord is refining and defining me day by day and I just need to trust Him for the next step. Right now that would be to go to bed and get good sleep so I am not cranky with my students tomorrow. So I will. But I couldn't help remembering that cold, but amazing day in Jerusalem so many months ago. Today we have 4 to 5 inches of frozen (I know that sounds funny) snow, and today the high temperature was 29 degrees. Tonight before I sat down at my computer, the temperature was 16 degrees and dropping. A new storm is supposed to come in tomorrow night. We'll see. One thing to remember...many months and many miles cannot erase the most amazing memories.

MY BUDDIES

2008-05-05T11:19:00.003+03:00

During travel study break a few weeks ago, I went with Steph, Becky, Isaiah, and Eitan to En Hemed, one of the nearby springs. Right behind us in the picture, the water is coming up out of the rock. The ledge was put in years ago to form a pool of water. It's pretty amazing to see the major source of water for the area spring up out of the ground in front of your very eyes. I had a blast with my buddies. Isaiah didn't have school because of Pesach, so it was fun to spend extra time with him. We wandered all around the park, climbed through the Crusader buildings, and then visited an important modern Israel site called Castel after having a pizza lunch. So much history and fun in one day. It was amazing!

8,000 MILES AWAY

2008-05-05T11:12:00.003+03:00

A week ago, I was walking through the markets in Jerusalem and found this apple. Notice anything special about it? It's a little blurry, but look at the sticker. To a Washingtonian, you may see nothing out of the ordinary and you would be right. Except for the fact that a whole bunch of these apples were in Jerusalem, Israel. This wonderful, juicy, Pink Lady apple travelled 8,000 miles so that I could enjoy its sweet and tasty goodness. What a treat!

FAITHFUL FRIENDS

2008-04-22T10:24:00.004+03:00

Rachel and Molly at the Dead Sea

This morning was our last Women's Bible Study for the Spring 2008 IBEX semester. It was definitely bittersweet. I so love studying the Word of God with these fellow believers in the Lord. This semester we studyed the faithfulness of God and used Cynthia Heald's book Becoming a Woman of Faith as a guideline for our studies and discussions. It was a wonderful time of seeing God's faithfulness to us and encouragement for how we too can grow in faith. One of the ways the Lord has helped me to grow in is recognizing my sin and my weaknesses of character. I find myself often wanting to do better, yet hesitant to pray for the Lord to show me my sin, probably because I know it is there and don't want to see the ugliness of it. Yet the Lord is so faithful, knowing the thoughts of our hearts before we even want to utter them. He has blessed me with a true friend and sister in the Lord who has been one of the few people outside my family to call me on my sin in a loving way, pray with me about it, and hold me accountable to change. Thank you, Molly, for being a true friend, for not being afraid to say the things I need to hear. I also have four wonderful godly women/wives in my life right now from whom I've learned so much. They have been faithful to the Lord - faithful to love me, teach me, instruct me...they've showed me the true meaning of Christian hospitality, of giving of one's self, of training up the younger women. Thank you, Phyllis, Stephanie, Johanna, and Becky. I love you all. Thank you for being faithful friends.

THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

2008-04-15T09:22:00.002+03:00

Randy and Phyllis Cook

It's funny how the more time you take to think about your life, the more you see what the Lord has done. Everywhere you look you can see His hand. God has a reason for everything He allows to happen, whether or not we will ever understand it. I'm thankful beyond words for what He has done for me in saving me and calling me to Himself, teaching me what it means to live for Him, showing me the sufficiency of Scripture, giving me godly parents and friends, allowing me to teach and to come to Israel, and so much more. Here are some of the things I am specifically thankful for today, things that the Lord's hand is most definitely in:

1. That my brother-in-law, Mark, is okay. He was going to have surgery but it was cancelled when his heart stopped. Most likely in reaction to the anesthetic, but after appointments with the cardiologist, he should know for sure. Praise the Lord for the chance to have him around longer.

2. That I get to teach again next school year.

3. For my mom and grandma, faithful prayer warriors.

4. For my dad and the consistent, faithful, godly example he sets for me.

5. For Becky, Abner, Johanna, Bill, Stephanie, Rachel, Zach, Isaiah, Eitan, and Nehemiah, a few of the wonderful staff members and kids I have the privilege of serving each day.

6. For Randy and Phyllis, two of the most godly people I have ever known. Their example to thousands of students and people around the world is a testimony to God's faithfulness and His work in human hearts.

7. For the chance to be in Israel and walk the land of the Bible. For the ability in one day to walk in the Israelite tribal territories of Asher, Zebulun, Naphtali, Ephraim, Dan, and Judah - just on a day for fun.

8. For the LORD and His Word and how He allows me to understand and love Him more every day.

GALILEAN FISH

2008-04-10T18:41:00.002+03:00

To those of you that know me well, you remember that I don't like seafood - at all. Until recently. I can eat fish sometimes, like Halibut or Salmon, and even Tuna. But look at that picture. I ate that! St. Peter's fish, caught that very day, from the Sea of Galilee, and brought right to my table. It's delicious. A little disturbing to have to move the eyeball and crunchy tail, but inside the fish is very tasty. As my dad will say after seeing this, "Wow, you're growing up." And I guess I am.

WHAT GOD CAN DO IN A WEEK

2008-03-28T15:50:00.004+03:00

As I consider the events of this last week, I can't help but stand in awe of the power of God! Last week at this time it was Good Friday. Good, I believe, because we are considering the great work God did for us in sacrificing His Son that we may have a way back into a relationship with Him.

Good because we can stop and meditate on what we have been saved from.

Good because it is yet another chance to look back upon the last year and see what the Lord has done in and through us.

Good because nearly 2,000 years ago our lives (of those that believe that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God and confess sin and a need for Him) were eternally saved.

Good because it was a chance to praise the Lord for who He is.

Good because the next day we were reminded of how frail we really are and just how much we need Him.

Good because we could look to Sunday and remember that Jesus the Messiah rose from the dead, conquering sin and death!

Last Saturday, a young man from our church collapsed when his heart quit beating and he stopped breathing. His mom saved his life by administering CPR. Really, we can know that it was the Lord whose plan it was to have him be on this earth a while longer so it was the Lord that spared his life. We are so very thankful for that chance to spend more time with him. Tomorrow, or today Israel time, Grant will be going home from the hospital. Praise the Lord! Look what God can do in a week! He took one who was gone and brought him back. Wow! As Grant's dad says, "How good is God!"

I love that the Lord works in so many ways we could never expect. Never has a "dull and boring" life been in His plan for us. I've just been reminded this week to thank the Lord for every breath, every beat of my heart, and every moment longer He allows me to spend time serving Him on this earth. What a life He gives to those who love Him! Tomorrow I have the awesome privilege of leaving for a week - to go to the Galilee! Jesus spent 18 months of His roughly 3 years of public ministry in the very area where I will be living for a week. How amazing is that! Some of the things we will get to do: hike to Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine; take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee; visit the synagogue in Capernaum where He spent much time teaching; visit Caesarea Philippi near the location of the Transfiguration; visit the sources of the Jordan River and much more. Wow! I can't wait to see what the Lord does this week!

RACHEL IS IN ISRAEL

2008-03-25T11:07:00.006+02:00

These are just a few posts from my weekend. See the post on "How Good is God" to hear more about the events. The first picture I am on Christian Quarter Road in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem. That was Monday. The other pictures are from Sunday morning. The sign when we first came in read, "6:30am, in English." The next picture is self-explanatory. And the other two are of the Garden Tomb. To hear more about how I think/feel about this location, leave me a note. But as our guide said that day, it does not really matter if this was the place Jesus was buried or not. What matters is that He died, and ROSE again! May the power of God be real and evident in your lives this week!

PURIM: THE FEAST OF ESTHER

2008-03-25T10:57:00.003+02:00

This past weekend was Purim, the Feast of Esther. In Israel it is celebrated by dressing up in costumes, having parties, and recounting the story of Esther. As it is read, interactively, the name "Haman" is to be drowned out with boos, the name "Mordechai" is to be cheered...and other fun things like that. Some of the popular desserts are "Haman's Ears." I think it's kind of disgusting to call something that and eat it, but they are delicious. It was a fun, festive weekend. (Weekend in Israel is Friday-Saturday).

THE THINGS YOU SEE SOMETIMES...

2008-03-25T10:54:00.002+02:00

Anybody have an idea of what this might mean? I do. I think. But it made me think of my dad, at least, and going to Ace Hardware with him. I love you, Dad!

HOW GOOD IS GOD!

2008-03-24T08:26:00.002+02:00

Yesterday was Resurrection Sunday, the day we celebrate the awesome power of our LORD and God as He raised His Son, who died for our sins, from the dead! It was an amazing morning. I woke up early to read the accounts of the Resurrection in the Scriptures, went to an amazing non-kosher breakfast provided by our amazing staff at 5am, and then we got on the bus to go into Jerusalem for a sunrise service at the Garden Tomb! (Not the actual location, but a good picture/reminder of the place.) This particular service was in English - it was packed in the garden. But oh, the joy of praising the Lord together with so many other believers in the midst of a lost city. I am sure that much of the East Jerusalem/Damascus Gate area heard us shout: "He is risen, indeed!" We sang, "See What a Morning" together...what a morning it was. Was it a morning like this, when our Savior rose from the dead? It was beautifully sunny and warm, the city was relatively quiet before dawn, and then our shouts of praise. I think of the words to the song "Was it a Morning Like This:" Did the grass sing? Did the earth rejoice to hear Him again? Over and over like a trumpet underground, did the earth seem to pound, He is risen?! Over and over in a never ending round, He is risen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

See, what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!"
See God's salvation plan, Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?"
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb; Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years, Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears, For He lives:
Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow'r and authority!
And we are raised with Him, Death is dead, love has won,
Christ has conquered; And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

All afternoon I was able to quietly enjoy my Lord, thinking about what He has done for His people. When it was finally Sunday morning for the west coast of the U.S., I called home to quickly wish my family a blessed Resurrection morning before they left for church, when they told me about Grant. Grant is a 17-year-old friend from our church who collapsed at home on Saturday. His mom had to administer CPR and for 40 minutes he was without a pulse on his own. My mom asked me to pray and to have my friends here in Israel pray as well. But God is so good! This morning I was reading the updates about Grant, and not only is he breathing on his own, he seems to know and understand what is going on around him. Praise the Lord! Grant still has a long way to go, so please pray for him; but remember to praise the Lord for another way that He has shown His power over death and His control over all things, even the very next breaths we will take.

JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN

2008-02-25T09:35:00.005+02:00

Yesterday at the end of our Shabbat service, the fathers and mothers of these two sweet babies, Nehemiah and Meital, and the rest of our congregation welcomed them officically into the world and celebrated their lives. Nehemiah was born January 15 and Meital was born January 18. Their fathers both prayed that they would be able to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord, that their lives might glorify God and that they would one day serve Him. It was a precious time. I'm thankful for the chance I had to be a part of it. Both of these babies have very interesting heritages. Nehemiah is the first son of Abner and Johanna Chou. Abner is Chinese and Johanna is Hungarian, but both have American citizenship. Both are also very good with languages and each speak a few. Meital is the third child of Tsuriel and Aneh Bar-David. Tsuriel is Israeli and Aneh is Finnish. Their other children, Gideon and Liel, both speak Hebrew and Finnish and they are only 3 and 1 1/2 years old respectively. They are also learning English. The parents of both babies come from believing families and that is such a blessing. What fun it is to be a part of their lives.

DIGGING IN THE DIRT

2008-02-21T09:38:00.002+02:00

Early this week we spent two days excavating in the City of David with Doron Ben-Ami, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority. We had an amazing time, working hard and having fun, if you couldn't tell from the picture. This was the second part of a dig that was started over a year ago. We had the privilege of starting to dig from the very top level of dirt in the archaeological squares...also code for "lots of hard work moving a bunch of dirt without really getting to find anything." The finished part of the dig (we were working on the western slope of the City of David) had unearthed remains and a few major structures from the Muslim Period, Second Temple Period, the time of Helena, and the First Temple Period. Within the next few months, they hope to discover similar things on the side we were working on. One of my favorite parts was getting to know people better while working really hard together. I had a lot of fun with the people in my square: Sara, Deborah, Troy, and Peter. It was also a blast being a part of the bucket brigade. The archaeologist kept commenting on the good attitudes and consistent hard working of our group. What fun to make a positive impact on people! On a side note...digging makes one very sore. It was great to feel those muscles hurt, knowing that they helped in doing something good; but the second day was sure hard. The Lord really gave me the strength and energy to work through the day despite the blisters and aches and for that I am thankful. I love all the reminders He is able to give us about needing to fully depend on Him for even the strength to take the next step.

BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY

2008-02-16T09:37:00.003+02:00

Nehemiah Chou, 4 weeks old.

THE PLACES WE GO

2008-02-16T09:12:00.003+02:00

This past wednesday IBEX visited the Biblical territory of the tribe of Benjamin. One of our first stops, pictured above, was a place called Nebi Samwil, or the place of the prophet Samuel. Funny how I'm standing by a sign that says, "Tomb of the Prophet Samuel." Religious Jews and even Muslims have made this place into a mosque and a synagogue because of that tradition. But don't they read their Bibles? Scripture specifically states that Samuel was buried in Ramah, his hometown (1 Samuel 25:1). Anyway, this spot overlooks the ancient city of Gibeon. It was a the high place of Gibeon where Solomon prayed for wisdom. This is the highest point around and could have very well been the spot where he prayed (1 Kings 3:4-14). Next we drove to Jericho, the lowest and oldest city (remains) on earth. On the way, we stopped in the middle of the wilderness of Judah/Benjamin. To think that John the Baptist and Jesus spent so much time here, alone. It it a perfect picture of how man cannot survive without help from the Lord. What a place to teach one to totally depend on Him for everything. At Jericho we marched around the city and it took us only 12 minutes. It changes your perspective just a bit of the Biblical story (Joshua 6). It was amazing to sit on top of the tel, re-read the story and visibly see how the geography and topography of the land played a major part in the narrative. After that, we visited Bethlehem, the city of our Savior's birth, and saw the fields around which would have been where the birth of Messiah Jesus was announced to the shepherds. How incredible to think that we were able to stand in the very city where the most precious gift to mankind arrived! We also visited two amazing architectural remains built by Herod the Great. It was one of those days where you can't even quite believe all you saw and all the history you "walked" through. Praise the Lord for such wonderful opportunities to see where He did so much of His work. We "walked" with the Israelites, Joshua, Samuel, Saul, David, Herod the Great (or not so great), John the Baptist, and Messiah Jesus...I just pray that I learned to live for the Lord like David did and follow the example my Savior left for me, recorded in His Word.

TEN THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM HIKING

2008-02-09T09:55:00.000+02:00

1. It's not always easy.

2. It takes strength and endurance.

3. It takes planning, and vigilance while you are on the trail.

4. It can take you to places you never dreamed of going.

5. It must be done with a guide and is more fun with companions.

6. It challenges you physically and mentally.

7. It gives you a chance to meditate on the Word of God.

8. It allows you a different perspective on life and of God's creation.

9. It has a beginning and an end.

10. It is fun!

These things that I learned from hiking each have a parallel to life, specifically the life of a believer. Let me know what you think of when you read each one...

CONSTANT CHALLENGES AND CONSTANT JOYS

2008-02-09T08:29:00.000+02:00

Life is full of many challenges. Some are physical and circumstantial, but most are spiritual, related to the Christian life. It is hard to live a godly life in a world full of sin, temptation, evil...when I myself am a sinner, but saved by the grace and mercy of our great God. One of the things I so appreciate about being in Israel is the constant reminder that this was the land the Lord chose as a testing ground of faith for His people. In the picture above, I am standing in a valley that once was the dividing line between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah during the time of the divided monarchy. The cliffs in the background are the ones that Jonathan climbed down and then up to fight the Philistines when his father, Saul, was king. Though it was spring, it is the wilderness, and we had a definite reminder of why people living there would need to depend on the Lord for everything. It is a very uncertain place. At the end of our hike, we stood near a spring. It was amazing to see the word pictures in Psalm 1 come to life. The one who meditates on and learns from the Word of God "shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper." Another aspect of life in Israel that I love is constantly meditating and memorizing Scripture in the very places it was written, the places it was talking about, or in the areas the writer gained his word pictures and comparisons from. Last fall we memorized Psalm 48 while in Jerusalem. The psalmist says, "walk about Zion...", so we did. When we were in the wilderness, we memorized portions of Deuteronomy 8. "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart..." When we were in Samaria and Caesarea (where Gentiles lived in NT times) we memorized Ephesians 2:4-13. There is so much wisdom and instruction to be gained from Scripture. It is a constant challenge to read it, study it, meditate on it, memorize it, and live it. But it is oh, so joyful a task to do at the same time.

"Fearfully and wonderfully made"

2008-01-17T16:23:00.000+02:00

This little boy, the son of Abner and Johanna Chou, is a perfect example of how our God has so perfectly and carefully created us. Just look at those little features and be amazed at the power of God. He took an egg, so small that it could not be seen without a microscope, and created this little baby.

"Oh, LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."

The Bible, being the very Word of God, speaks so well of this amazing part of life. I still just can't believe how very awesome our God is! This little boy has been made just as fearfully and wonderfully as the rest of us. But what a reminder of how precious life is!

Tomorrow

2007-12-17T09:48:00.001+02:00

Tomorrow evening, this is what I will get to see. I can't wait to see my family and it will be wonderful to be back in my country! Praise the Lord for amazing opportunities and experiences in life!

Missions

2007-12-06T08:54:00.000+02:00

Last Wednesday was the last field trip for the History of the Modern State of Israel class. We toured Jerusalem, focusing on important places from 1940s to present. It was amazing to see so many more new sites despite all of the field trips we already had in the city. I love studying history and seeing how God has worked through lands, people, and time to perform His will. Knowing so much about Israel has made me want to study my own country more too. (Considering that is what I have to teach about to my students, I guess that is a good thing). Another thing that I really appreciated seeing was the work of evangelical missions in the country. My grandparents were on the mission field for a number of years working with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. It was fun to see their footprints in Jerusalem. (I don't know if you can read it on the photo above, but the sign says, "Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Center" with the C&MA logo). At the end of the day, we spent time in the Mahanae Yehudah outdoor market. I love it there. All the sounds, colors, and smells; the people and the bartering. The festive atmosphere just before Hanukkah - the sufganiyot (doughnuts)...Wow.

After being in another country so many months, seeing the people who live here so lost, falling so short of the mark, I understand the importance of mission work even more. That's not to say that I don't have compassion for the lost in my own hometown too, but I think I have grown hard against it. Sometimes it seems as if nothing will ever change and people only get worse, which is true. But that doesn't mean that I should stop sharing the gospel just because I think that will never change. Praise the Lord for the people in my life who didn't give up on me. May I be faithful and bold to share the love of the Lord with whomever, whenever, wherever I may be. On the other hand, it has been a huge blessing to see the fruit of the work of believers who have been faithful to their calling. Fellowshiping with other believers from many countries, many languages, many cultures, and many different backgrounds has been amazing! What a privilege to "get outside the box" and see the body of Christ meet together all over the world. Continue to pray for the people that are still so far from the Lord all over the globe. Pray that there would be willing souls to go and work with them, encourage them, and teach them what we are so greatly blessed to already know. Pray that the Lord will do a work in the hearts of His own people, that they may come to a saving faith in Him.

Thanksgiving Day

2007-12-01T10:27:00.000+02:00

Turkey to Turkey

2007-12-01T10:09:00.000+02:00

I never thought that one day I would visit Turkey, but I did. Last month (it is already December here in Israel as I write this) I went to Istanbul for a week, partially for interest reasons (like traveling, seeing other parts of the world) and partly because I just needed to renew my visa. All in all, I had a great time with my friend, Marlyse.

Istanbul is a unique city. It is the only city in the world on two different continents, Europe and Asia. We were in the Old City of Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, on the European side. We spent all of our time seeing the major attractions there: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, the Archaeological Museum, Museum of the Ancient Orient, the Grand Bazaar, and many more. It was so much fun to see a different world and culture. One thing I realized though, was how much I love exactly who and how God made me and where He has placed me on this earth. Sometime if you ask me, I will tell you all about my feelings on international travel with my specific name.

Just after we came back, we had the wonderful privilege of celebrating an American holiday...Thanksgiving! We did so with: 50 of our closest friends, real American, non-Kosher cuisine, a Thanksgiving service, and football! What a great time it was! In the afternoon, however, we remembered where we were (in Israel) and hiked to the Adullum caves, where David hid from Saul thousands of years ago. In the evening, we all got together for leftovers and bacon (from the States) - lettuce - tomato - and avacado sandwiches. Who could ask for a better day?

My heart is so full of things that I am thankful to the Lord for. Is there ever any way we can truly express how much we are grateful for? I am looking forward to a lifetime of trying. What a wonderful God we serve!

Do You Ever Wonder Why?

2007-11-17T17:11:00.000+02:00

"But always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hop ethat is in you." 1 Peter 3:15

Do you ever wonder why we, as believers, so often fail in this area, even when given the perfect opportunities? I was wondering that of myself this last week when I failed to seize the perfect moment to share my faith with a Jewish man on the plane to Istanbul with me. Why do I so often forget that it is not me who will speak, but the Holy Spirit, if I let Him? Luke 12:12, "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

I know and believe that the gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to those who believe, so why do I act like I am ashamed of it? I am so thankful to the Lord for His mercy and grace that does not just cast me off when I fail Him. What an example of His faithfulness that He so patiently works on our lives, our sinful, prideful, and selfish hearts, to train us into what He wants us to be. I guess I just am sad that an opportunity was lost to share of the greatness of our God with someone who was lost. May the Lord bring someone else into the path of that man and his wife who is more faithful than I. May I learn to listen to the Spirit's prompting and get over the fear of man I seem to have. As a child of God, what can man do to me?

I pray that each one of us will one day be able to hear from our Father in Heaven, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Worship from the Heart

2007-11-03T17:08:00.000+02:00

One of the things I love most about the people I am surrounded with is their passion for Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel and how much they desire to serve and worship Him. It is seen in many aspects of their lives. Right now I am listening to a CD of Messianic Worship songs presented by various congregations of believers in Israel. Just reading the translations of the words is so impacting. These believers love the Lord and are not afraid to spread the hope that they have in them even with the persecutions they face on all sides. Last night I fell asleep to the IBEX students sitting around a campfire singing praises to our God (for hours...right after chapel). This morning I walked by the main hall to hear a congregation of Jewish (not believers) men singing their morning prayers. Today in our Shabbat service, hearing the joy of the believers (Jewish, Russian, Finnish, Sweedish, German, Latino, American) as they sang praise to the Lord. It is so wonderful to be exposed to the worldwide family of believers. There are so many people who love the Lord and worship Him in their own languages, with a little different style sometimes, but worship all the same. It's caused me to really consider what our attitude should be about worship. Not just the songs sung, the instruments used, the tempo, or the number of people singing...it is the state of our hearts that is the most important. Worship to sing words does not honor the Lord, what honors Him is worship that comes from the heart. When I am not able to understand the words being sung, I enjoy the chance to look at the translation and consider the words that others are singing to the Lord in their own language. It can be a precious time of focus on what I'm actually singing. I also love how the teaching we get comes straight from the heart. There is a passion that's inexplicable over here about teaching the Word of God. Would that I have such a passion to learn more and apply the truths that I am taught.

Galilee

2007-10-14T10:02:00.000+02:00

Sometimes I wonder how my mind works the way that it does, in the sense that I don't always completely realize the uniqueness of what I am doing until I am leaving the place I go to. I just returned from eight days in northern Israel, also known as Galilee. What an amazing eight days it was! We went to Nazareth, Cana, Mt. Carmel, Jezreel, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazin, Caesarea Philippi, Dan, and of course, the Sea of Galilee, to name a few places. We went inner-tubing down the Jordan River, we hiked the Nahal Yehudiah, and road on a boat at night on the Sea of Galilee and read about the times when Jesus rode on the same Sea. Each morning some of the girls and I read through the Gospel of Mark while we were sitting on the shore of the Sea in front of our rooms. It wasn't until we were leaving and had our last look back at the Sea that I realized the enormity of what I had been doing for the last week. Praise the Lord for all the things I learned about Him this week. Praise Him for the reminder of the perfection of His plans and the awesome gift of His Son! I'll write more about my experiences soon.

A Day in Samaria

2007-10-05T08:50:00.001+02:00

A day in the land of Israel. A day in Samaria. A day where so much Biblical history took place. Many Biblical "heroes" spent time in Samaria. Abraham. Jacob. Joseph. Joshua. Samuel. The Tabernacle. Jesus. A day in the West Bank. Honestly enough, we didn't even realize it, other than being told we were on bypass roads built by Israel, or the fact that we can't return there on our own. It was a peaceful day. We saw many things and had a great time.

In the picture below I am standing on Mt. Gerizim overlooking ancient Shechem (today Nablus). On the lefthand side of the picture you can see the eastern slope of Mt. Ebal. In the book of Joshua, the people of Israel stood on these two mountains and listened to the Law being read. They then recited the blessings for obeying God's law on Mt. Gerizim and the cursings for disobeying on Mt. Ebal. Shechem also is where Abraham was first promised the land of Israel, and later Jacob bought land and dug a well here (today called Jacob's Well). This is also where Jesus met the woman at the well (John 4).

Even when we are visiting ancient sites and learning so much about history, we like to have fun and make learning more applicable by acting things out. In Caesarea, built by Herod the Great, there is a hippodrome, or the ruins of one. They used to have chariot races here and other sporting events (Ben...was also filmed here). The guys had to imitate a chariot race by carrying a girl on their backs. Actually, Alan is carrying Isaiah Schlegel who is 7, and Seth is carrying Michael who weighs more than him, but the rest of them were following the rules. :)

Also in Caesarea are the reamins of Herod's aquaduct. It's always fun to get pictures there. Here are most of the girls from the group. I look funny because I had just got soaked by a wave while I was walking along the Harbor. It's impressive to see how much of the aquaduct is still standing today.

We were by the beach at sunset and it was a perfect time to take pictures. This is my prayer group. From left to right: Sarah, Christie, Isabel, Rachel, Marlyse.

We ended the day by going to dinner at our bus driver, Na'el's house. Na'el is an Israeli Arab who is a believer in the Messiah. We had a traditional Arabic meal. It was delicious! We were able to help prepare part of the meal. Here is a picture of the guys rolling out the dough for the pizza and pita.

It was then taken to an outdoor oven. It was fun to watch the pizza cook right before our eyes, but even more amazing to see the pocket pita made in the same oven. Wow! I want an oven like that someday.

It was a very neat day. And even though I didn't feel very well, it was still a privilege to see so many Biblical places and learn about what happened there. Often it is hard to comprehend the fact that we are seeing these places until after we leave them. That's kind of how I feel today. I just spent time walking where the Tabernacle stood...I went to the place where Paul was held as a prisoner...I sat in the theater where Herod Agrippa was eaten by worms and died...I stood on the same mountain where Joshua said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"...

Bringing the Psalms to Life

2007-09-30T18:06:00.000+02:00

This afternoon we returned from a camping trip on to the shores of the Dead Sea near En Gedi. The purpose of this trip was to focus on Ancient Israel, specifically a period of time in the life of King David. As Abner, one of the professors put it, David probably didn't float in the Dead Sea, cover himself with black, stinky mud that's really good for your skin, build a campfire and eat smores, sleep out with his friends under the stars, or swim in the pools of the valley stream named after him, because he was trying to preserve his life by hiding from Saul. It was amazing to look at Psalms 57 and 63 that David probably wrote in the very place that we were staying. I woke up in the night many times (partly because I was so hot and right up against the two girls next to me) but immediately forgot my discomfort when I looked up at the heavens that were marvelously declaring the greatness of God. The moon was so bright that I could see all around me clearly. The multitude of stars were beautiful. David must have witnessed nights such like this, even while he was hiding, so that he wrote, "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth" (Psalm 57:5,11).

Today as we were hiking up a route that David probably would have took, I was reminded at how amazing David's walk with the Lord was. We were so hot and so thirsty! When we were hiking, that was almost all we could think about: must have water! David didn't have water bottles, ice, or premade snacks. Yet when he was hiking/hiding what he longed for was the Lord. He was fighting for his life, yet instead of thinking of what he needed to physically live, he praised the Lord for providing for him and giving him what he needed spiritually. "O God, You are my God; early I will seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water...because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus will I bless You while I live" (Psalm 63:1,3-4a). Talk about the Psalms coming to life! How much more we should be praising the Lord? We have so much to be thankful for. Thankful for friends, food, and water bottles. Israel, life, and peace. And the fact that we don't have someone seeking to end our lives. Praise the Lord for His goodness to us!

Fun and Games?

2007-09-29T09:29:00.001+02:00

Right now it is Sukkot. In English this would be called the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast is to remember God's faithfulness to Israel as they wandered in the wilderness and how He provides for them still to this day. Sukkot is also celebration of the harvest. Many types of fruit are harvested at this time of year. So in your sukka, you are to sleep and eat your meals for 8 days. This picture shows the walls of our sukka, the fruit laid out to eat, and the students fellowshipping in it. You can also see the palm branches that make up the roof. At night you can still see the stars through them, reminding you that this is a temporary shelter.

Theo and Matt are very excited to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Here they pose in front of the fruit: Mangos, figs, pommagranites, bananas, apples, plums, guavas, grapes, peaches, and nectarines are some of the fruits we enjoyed. Abner, one of the professors, shared a devotional from the Old Testament relating to Sukkot (Haggai 2:1-3; Zechariah 14:16-19), while Bill, another professor, shared from the New Testament (John 7). The culmination of Sukkot ends with the people praying for rain. At this point every year, Israel has not seen rain for nearly 5 months. They will need rain for the crops to grow...so they pray diligently for rain. Every year, the rains begin again after Sukkot...imagine being in Jerusalem celebrating the feast and have Jesus claims to be the source of living water. Water that brings life to both the fields and people. What a powerful picture that must have been. I can even see now how much this land needs rain.

Sukkot is a very joyous holiday to celebrate. In fact, it is known as the most joyous time of the year to the Jewish people. We have seen that evidenced by those we are around as well as having fun ourselves. Wednesday evening Sukkot began. While we were on our field trip, we started the fun by filling Bill's backpack (that he was wearing) with rocks while he was teaching. The best part was that the students were so careful that he didn't even notice. It wasn't until he was putting his materials away that he found the 10 rocks.

We continued the fun last night after chapel. All of the girls went to the miklat to hang out and get to know one another better. We had walked to the village earlier and bought fresh bread from the bakery and treats from the store. We also had iced coffee! We spent an hour or so playing a question and answer game that helped us learn fun facts about each other. We had a great time. When we went to leave the miklat (it doubles as a bomb shelter), we found that the guys had locked us in. They shut the huge door and tied the handles so we couldn't open it...we eventually got out because their knots weren't very good, but when we got back to the dorms we found the following missing: shower heads, shower curtains, soap dispensers, toilet paper and holders, toilet seats and all of the doors! Try getting boys to put those back at 11:00pm. All in all, I thought it was funny, but not every girl agreed with me. Lucky me, it was my job to make the guys put everything back. It was a little tough to fall asleep after that!

This afternoon we are going camping in the wilderness. First we get to go to the Dead Sea to float (I would say swim, but you don't really. You float.). We will then camp near there. Tomorrow we are hiking up the Ascent of Ziz and back down Nahal David and the springs of En Gedi. It will be a neat time to reflect on the life of David as we hike and stay in the same place that he hid from Saul.

Crawling through History

2007-09-28T14:01:00.000+02:00

Today was a day in which Sunday School stories came to life. We visited the valley where Samson lived and judged Israel and caused a ruckus with the Philistines (Judges 13-16); of course we had to act out some of the stories as well. We visited the valley where David fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and almost got to go see the caves in Adullum (the road was blocked off) where David hid from Saul (1 Samuel 22). This is a picture of our fearless leader, Bill, demonstrating how to use a sling shot while he stands in the very brook where David gathered his stones to fight Goliath. We also visited Lachish and Azekah, two major cities destroyed by Sennacherib, king of Assyria during the reign of Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 18; 2 Chronicles 32); then rebuilt and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar during the reign of Zedekiah and the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 34:6-7).

One of the places we stopped today was Maresheth Gath, the hometown of the prophet Micah. Just down the hillside from his OT home are caves and tunnels dug by the Jewish people during the Second Jewish Revolt in 135 AD. My friend, Tracy, and I are standing at one of the outside entrances to the tunnels. The tunnels were so much fun to climb through. There were many spots where I was completely flat on my stomach with stone below me and stone rubbing up against my back as I scooted through the passageway. They wound down and up and around through the hillside. There were so many tunnels to explore!

One of the best parts of the day was racing up the hill that Gath sits on just as the sun was setting. While we were there, we also talked about how David acted like a madman before Abimelech, king of Gath and then fled to Adullum. It was just then that David wrote Psalm 34 (see the note at the beginning of the Psalm). We recited the Psalm together and then sang the song, "You are my hiding place." As the sun finished setting and the new moon its rising, signifying the beginning of Sukkot, we sat and meditated on the faithfulness of God and how He protects, strengthens and guides His people. What a way to end the day! To see a fun video clip of our trip, visit this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA1BwaIyCNU

Yom Kippur

2007-09-21T14:01:00.001+02:00

In about one hour, the country of Israel will "close" for Yom Kippur. Rabbinically, this is the holiest day of the Jewish year. The airport closed a few hours ago. The freeways will close, restaurants will close, and people will stay near their homes and synagogues for a day of prayer tomorrow. There is a nation-wide fast as people attempt to humble themselves before God in prayer. Here at IBEX, we will also have a day of prayer tomorrow. We will have specific times where we will praise God for His greatness ("Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the earth?" Psalm 113:5-6), pray for Israel and the church ("My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved" Romans 10:1), worshipping God for His atoning work ("who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed" 1 Peter 2:24), and praying for missions and the lost. It makes me think of Psalm 130:7-8 "O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities." And He has. If only they could see that.

In the above picture, you can see the view the prophet Amos had of the wilderness from his home in Tekoa. In the next picture, we are sitting in the remains of a gate built by Solomon at the important city of Gezer.

We have so many amazing opportunities here. I'm so thankful to have the chance to walk in the land of the Bible and experience it first hand.

Remembering the Past

2007-09-11T14:50:00.000+03:00

This morning, I woke up remembering a morning not long ago that began so much differently. On a Tuesday, like today; on September 11, the calendar date today; on a morning 6 years ago, the lives of thousands in America and around the world were changed. Today I pray for comfort for the families of the 3,000 that were killed in the terror attacks, and for safety for all the troops still fighting the war on terror around the world, specifically in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's interesting to contemplate how life is remembered based on significant events. The United Kingdom (of Israel). The Divided Kingdom. The Babylonian Exile. The Second Temple Period. The reign of the Herods. Before and After the birth of Jesus (BC/AD). The Byzantines. The Crusades. The Middle Ages. The Industrial Revolution. The World Wars. Vietnam. Desert Storm. September 11. The Indonesian Tsunami. Katrina. There are many more major historical events I could name, but so much of history is defined by war or catastrophe, pain and terror. Praise be to the Lord that we can look at history and see in light of the life of Christ and what He did for us. As believers, some of the most important events to us are the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Savior. We have hope because of events that occurred 2,000 years ago. We have Scripture that illustrates and tells of God's plan for man's redemption throughout history and the many promises still to be fulfilled in the future - Christ returning for believers. Going to heaven to be with the LORD for eternity. Praise God that we don't have to measure time from tragedy to tragedy. John 16:33 says

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

May we share the message of hope and salvation with those hurting from the result of evil and sin, and with those that are still being affected by terrorism around the world.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?...And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me...Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries...I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!" Psalm 27:1, 6, 12-14

Walking through History

2007-09-03T16:26:00.000+03:00

Just now, as I was sitting down to write this, I looked at a picture of my family then at the picture of the Temple Mount as seen from the City of David and I was struck once again by the fact that I can feel so close to home yet be walking all over Biblical history. I cannot even describe how it feels to literally walk on something that has been around for over 2,000 years or to walk in the tunnel that Hezekiah built 700 years before Jesus walked on earth. You start to ask yourself how something could be so well built that thousands of people still see it today. Every step I took yesterday I was reminded of the greatness of our God and how faithful He has been to His people despite the choices they have made. It reminds me how thankful I am that the God who was (and is) so faithful and loving and patient with Israel is just the same with me.

Understanding the Word

2007-08-29T16:29:00.000+03:00

The Temple Mount, as seen from the top of the Citadel. The Dome of the Rock stands on the former site of the Temple. In the background you can see the Mount of Olives.

I am constantly amazed at how you can learn more from Scripture every time you read it. In the past two days, I have listened to Psalm 48 being explained by two very godly men, and then I have walked in the very city talked about in the psalm. Along with that, the students are memorizing the psalm for class and I want to memorize it as well, so wherever I go, I hear it being recited. I can't imagine a better way to "study" God's Word.

"Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge. For behold, the kings assembled, they passsed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, they hastened away. Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, as when You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindnesses, in the midst of Your temple. According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments. Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers; mark well her bulwarks; consider her palaces; that you may tell it to the generation following. For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death." Psalm 48 NKJV

This is my buddy, Eitan, and I at the airport picking up the students.

My friends, Yuma and Yerimiah.

Galatians 6:10

2007-08-25T09:54:00.000+03:00

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

I have never seen this verse more clearing and consistantly followed than here in Israel with those I live around. It is constantly amazing to me the different lives that are lived here, yet with people still being people. The three families I am working for are always thinking of others. Schedules are put aside, for people. Dishes are left undone in order to meet the needs of people. Food and toys are freely shared so that people feel loved and cared for, even when the time to share them is not always convenient. Now this may not sound like much, and you may think, "I do that too, sometimes." But I am serious when I say that these amazing friends live this way all the time. They have learned more than I have about the joy found in living for the Lord first, then others, then themselves. As my Mama likes to say, "True joy is spelled J-O-Y. Jesus - Others - You. Always put the Lord and others before yourself and you will find true joy, living like Jesus." Last night I was once again included in a family dinner. Afterwards, when I went back to my room and checked my phone messages, one of the other families had invited me over for dinner as well. I want to learn to care for others like these families do.

Jesus said, in John 13:15, "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." Jesus has just washed the disciples' feet and was illustrating what true servanthood really looks like, but this verse, I think, applies to all that Jesus said and did. He is our perfect example. What a lot of learning and change I have left to do!

Our God is Great

2007-08-22T20:19:00.000+03:00

"The LORD is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name -- He is holy." Psalm 99

Our God is great and mighty. He has done great things for His people in the past and His people, us, today. Today as we were driving to have some fun in Israel, this question kept coming up every few minutes. Bill would ask, "What in the Bible happened here?" What an awesome experience to recall God's people and His faithfulness to them as you drive to swim and play?

At lunch we had a very "Israeli" discussion about Creation and Genesis 1 and 2. What an encouragement to always be talking, thinking about or looking at parts of Scripture. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities I am being given.

A Small World

2007-08-15T13:59:00.000+03:00

Life in Israel is wonderful simply because it is where the Lord has me right now. I'm so thankful for the chance to be here and I'm enjoying all of the different things I've been able to do so far. I've painted and weeded and trimmed bushes in the hot weather. I've had meals where I can hear a minimum of 4 different languages being spoken, I've helped prepare an Arabic dish for dinner, I've done dishes Israeli style (hard to picture until you've seen it). I've walked through the new shopping center just outside the Old City gates, tasted Aroma coffee (Israel's Starbucks...very good!), and walked through the streets of the Old City. I've wandered around an Israeli mall with a 10 year old to translate for me, watched a 6 or 7 year old Sudanese girl (who doesn't speak a lick of Hebrew or English) make herself at home in the Schlegels house, and helped change a tire on the side of a busy Jerusalem road. And how can I forget the morning hug from 3 year old Eitan, or drink the fresh squeezed grape juice 7 year old Isaiah made for me (he went to the vineyards, pulled off some grapes, washed his hands and the grapes and then squeezed them into a glass...delicious!)? Life is good. Our Lord is better. May I never forget to give Him the glory for each and every day.

A Beautiful Day

2007-06-27T00:16:00.000+03:00

There are many beautiful days in Western Washington, but today is one of those days that makes me stop and marvel at the awesome creation of our Lord. When I was driving home from Everett, across Ebey Valley, I wanted to pull over and just stare. The sky was amazingly blue and relatively cloudless. The mountains stood out majestically on three sides of me. Mount Rainier in the south and Mount Baker in the north were both clear as day and covered in white snow. The green trees and grass recently watered by our stormy weekend weather complemented the white snow, purple-blue mountains, brightly shining sun, and blue sky perfectly. What an amazingly beautiful day! Thank you, Lord!

Another thing that makes this day so great is just seeing how the Lord works. Today I got a summer job...due to the work of the Lord. Who wants to hire someone for 6 weeks? Anyway, I will once again be working for the sheriff this summer. I'm in my classroom finishing up the last of the cleaning while I watch a National Geographic video on Jerusalem. Outside I can smell the new woodchips bought for the playground, and I know that soon I can go home to be with my family and work in the yard. It is a great day indeed.

Hodu l'Adonai ki tov!

It's About Time

2007-06-20T00:51:00.000+03:00

Thanks to the encouragement of many friends, and my family, I have finally started a blog. I'm sitting in my classroom right now, watching the video I made for my 4th grade students and shedding a few tears because I already miss them. It was fun to have a few of them in my room today helping me pack up and clean the room for the next teacher. The Lord sure blessed me this year with an amazing group of kids.

Time does change things, and while I will miss them, I have the amazing opportunity of going to Israel as the IBEX volunteer for the next school year. I can't wait! I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to teach me during this next phase of my life.