FAITHFUL FRIENDS

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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!