TEN THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM HIKING

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

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"

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

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

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

Turkey to Turkey

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!