Hotel terrace and Sea of Galilee

My camera started “acting up” the night before when I tried to take a photo of the Sea of Galilee, as seen from the pool terrace of our hotel in Tiberias.  The images came out all white, except this one (out of 7) which came out normal.

Next day we started with a visit to Capernaum, where Jesus lived (in Peter’s mother-in-law’s house) during most of his three year ministry.  It was early morning, the sun still low in the sky, but contrary to the other days, which had rich blue skies, today the sky appeared brilliant white.  There was a bright white light everywhere.  We started in the synagogue where Jesus once taught.  The light reflecting off the white marble was so intense, the columns around the perimeter of the building seemed without shadows.  In fact, nothing and no one had shadows, though there was shade under the trees.  My camera would barely capture any image that had sky in it, but those taken indoors, or in the shade came out fine.

The synagogue where Jesus taught; a day without shadows

Then, by the time I’d walked to the edge of the sea and taken a photo over the water, and even facing away from the sun, there was a huge white blaze of light over the water, I started to realise something strange was happening.

Soon we were back on the bus, en route to the Mount of the Beatitudes.  A church surrounded by beautiful gardens now covers the area, and after a brief look around, we

Light on the Mount

had a half hour for private reflection before moving on. I was snapping photo after photo; but again, the bright light made it almost impossible.  I was getting frustrated, trying over and over to get at least some images to turn out well…

I didn’t hear a voice per se, but I was told clearly, “Put away the camera.”  I obeyed, then found a nice spot in the shade, where I sat down to read chapters 5-7 of Matthew.

How many times in my life have I read or heard the Sermon on the Mount?  Dozens?  A hundred?  This day, on The Mount, His Sermon came to life; as I read Jesus’ words, it was as though I heard Him speaking them to me, hearing them for the first time.  It was as if Jesus was standing at my side with His hand on my shoulder, as He said…

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”

“…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Had I never heard these words before??  I began to weep in an unconscious, uncontrollable way.  As the torrent of tears spilled from my eyes, these years of mourning, uncertainty and inquietude were lifted from me.  I felt weightless, at peace, forgiven; truly happy and content with where I am in my life right now.  I couldn’t stop the tears.  They flowed until they were spent.  Words are inadequate to express the comfort I was feeling.  All at once, everything was right.  I received His assurance that my present situation is exactly where He wants me now.  It was pure joy.

It was later that evening, alone in my quiet room, sorting through photos and events of the day, that I realised this was God, revealing His Glory… to me!   This was my Shekinah moment, in His Land!  And I almost missed it.  I saw God’s pure light shining over Galilee.  Indeed, it shines perpetually over all this earth; the secret lies in being ready, and willing, to see it when He chooses to reveal it to us.

While writing this, I have remembered I was reading these exact words in Matthew at the age of 17, when I experienced my first ‘a huge weight was lifted from me’  moment.  How great a distance I have traveled in these 40 years (!!) since then; literally and figuratively, near and far, desert and paradise.  How great and glorious is our Lord.  Hallelujah!

 *In the Targums “shekinah,” “glory of God,” and “word of God” are used synonymously. Shekinah became a comprehensive term for any form of the presence of God; it could be used as a designation for God or as a circumlocution for references to the face or hand of God. Only in the later rabbinic sources does the Shekinah become a separate entity created by God as an intermediary between God and man.

The NT frequently alludes to the concept of the Shekinah, even though the term itself is not used. God’s presence in the NT is frequently associated with light and glory…Paul also identifies Christ as the Shekinah of God. (Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988).Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)

Trip home went like clockwork.  Woke up in Jerusalem at 1 a.m. today, and walked in the door in antigua at 5pm today, but 23 hours later.  Thanks for following my journey.  It was fun to get all of your comments!

See you soon,  traveling pam

Garden of the Empty Tomb

The Garden Tomb was our final tour.  The Place of the Skull is still visible, but the “eyes” are full of weeds, and there is a bus terminal below it.  Most likely, the garden was originally a vineyard, but now it is a lovely tranquil spot, just outside the walls of old Jerusalem, near the Damascus Gate, hence named as there begins the famed Road to Damascus.  A British foundation owns and maintains the property.

The Empty Tomb

After seeing the tomb, we gathered in a shady section of the garden for our final group worship.  We sang a few songs, and Joel said a few words; though it seemed there wasn’t much left to be said.  After a brief sermon on the death and resurrection of Christ, a few steps from where both occurred, we shared a communion service.

As I pack for home, my eyes are moist, my mind is spinning; happy, sad, fulfilled…

Still thirsty.

I am carrying a part of Israel home with me in my heart, but a part of my soul will always remain in Israel.

Psalm 134:  1 Behold, bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord, who serve by night in the house of the Lord!  2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the Lord.  3 May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth. 

Epicenter Conference Discussion Panel
from left: Joel Rosenberg, Hanna Shahin, Dr. Erez Soref, Shmuel Aweida, Joe Focht

Today was a full day at Joel’s annual conference, which focused on using God’s Word to bring about change in our leaders, nations, and the world at large.  In light of the tumultuous situation present throughout the Middle East, it is obvious that prophecies are being fulfilled.  Therefore, it is important to focus on bringing about change and peace by bringing the Word of God to as many people in the region, and the world, as possible.

The guests comprised two Christian Arabs, one Messianic Jew, and one American pastor.  The most interesting aspect of this panel, is that while the three Israelis testified to the advancement of the Word among Jews and Arabs in Israel and North Africa, the American pastor lamented the decline in the moral and spiritual fibre in the USA, and that it was increasingly difficult to reach the younger generation.

The advances in technology and other visual media (smartphones, internet) is being used by Satan in the U.S. to distract young people from the Way; while satellite communications in the Middle East have been a boon to Christian organisations, enabling them to reach millions of believers (and potential believers) who either can’t read, or don’t have access to the Bible, a church or fellowship.

Joel (who came to Christ before his parents did) related a touching personal story of his teen years; how he was doing all the Christian “stuff,” had all the bells, whistles and activities, but still felt so empty and distant from God.  He was disheartened that he wasn’t reaping the glory of the Spirit-filled life–to the point of total frustration asking, “Why? Why?”  Then one day, in his room, God answered him:  “Have you been spending time with Me in prayer?  Have you been spending time in My Word?”

God and His Word are there, for everyone.  But only when we read the Bible and get down on our knees, is the line of communication opened.

2 Kings 22:19 …because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke … I truly have heard you,” declares the LORD.

Today was a more relaxed day, as we look forward to tomorrow’s Epicenter Conference.  We entered the Old City through the Lion’s Gate, and the Church of St. Anne is just inside.

Church of St. Anne

Though not as ornate as some we have seen, it has beautiful vaulted ceilings that provide it with magnificent acoustics.  Our bus group of about 40 was in there alone, and when we sang Amazing Grace in timid voices, it sounded like Heaven’s Choir itself was singing!

Just a few meters from this church are some ruins of old Old Jerusalem, including the Pool of Bethesda mentioned in John Chapter 5.  The morning light and deep shadows make it difficult to see, but if you click for the full sized image you can see more clearly.  The pool was actually very deep, and way down under that arch is the bottom of the pool.

The Pool of Bethesda

Street Sign in the Muslim Quarter

We begin walking the Via Dolorosa:  the route Christ followed as he carried the cross to Golgotha.  There are churches built upon every “station” of the route—largely based on Catholic tradition.  Scripturally speaking, much of what goes on in Jerusalem isn’t exactly “kosher”, shall we say.  Often, what is stated as fact is based on heresay and folklore.  The church of the Holy Sepulchre is a good example of that.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

It is deemed to be the location of the final 5 “stations of the cross” including where Jesus was buried.  While there is also the Garden Tomb, outside the walls of Jerusalem, that is more in line with what the Bible describes as the location of the crucifixion and burial.

A stop at the Israel Museum allowed us to view an amazing model of Old Jerusalem, as

Israel Museum (That’s not an iPod in my ear in all these photos; it’s a radio that keeps us in contact with our guide)

well as fragments of the original Dead Sea Scrolls.  The full set of originals is kept in a vault, but they have reproduced them for viewing in an effective way.

We finished our day with more than two hours at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum.  It is incomprehensible to me that all this took place; and even once all the nations knew about it, they were too busy to stop it.  How many times can humanity say “Never Again?”  It happened ‘again’ in Guatemala just 30 years ago.  It is happening in Syria as we speak.  And the Arab Middle-East wants nothing more than to be rid of Israel entirely.  The last phase of the museum was the Children’s Memorial:  A completely black, dome shaped room of myriad glass panels and nothing but one and a half million points of light peering out of the darkness.

O my Lord, O my soul…

A long hot day in the Negev was steeped in history. We visited Qumran, viewing (from some distance) the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  Further along, a cable car takes us up to the top of Masada. This natural fortress upon which Herod built yet another palace in his paranoic fancy, was later occupied by the last remnant of Jewish rebels who tragically all committed suicide, rather than become slaves to the Romans.

Boarding the cable car for the quick lift to the summit of Masada

Another famous site, Ein Gedi, is the area where David snuck into the cave and cut the

Ein Gedi

corner off of King Saul’s cloak.  Seeing the desolation of this area, and experiencing the heat, gives one an entirely new appreciation for the people of Biblical times.  If they needed to cross this desert, they walked.  The extremely lucky may have had a camel.  When coming upon an oasis after a day’s walk, an animal immediately rushes in to swim and drink.  Whereas, a man first praises God for the water.

Mesmerizing blue of the Dead Sea

Our last stop is a beach on the Dead Sea, for a float at the lowest point on the planet earth: 1,348 feet (411 meters) below sea level.  The mineral rich water was bath-warm as the air temperature must have been 110F degrees (43C) in the shade, and no shade!  Then we smeared ourselves with the gooey black mud, for a full-body purification before showering off and returning to Jerusalem.  Even the group leaders are getting tired, as we were dismissed right after dinner this evening, without the usual talking and sharing.  That was fine with me!

Twists and turns in the Jewish Quarter

What a great day.  I went out on my own to have a more restful day and just BE in Jerusalem.  I wandered the streets, supported the local economy (I went shopping), and just soaked it in.  I spent most of the day in the Jewish Quarter, straying occasionally into the Armenian; and a few feet into the Arab area, but the shop owners there were too aggressive for my taste.

I returned to the St. Peter in Gallicanu church because I had to see it again.  The entire interior is painted like a canvas.  Got this great photo of the ceiling. In the dungeon there is a bronze statue of Jesus on his knees with his hands tied, that brought tears to my eyes.

Inside the dome of the St. Peter in Gallicanu church

There is an area called The Cardo, that was the primary street of Jerusalem in its day, about 20 feet below the current street level–each “rebuilding” of the cities is done atop the  ruin of the previous version; each new city higher than the last.  There is a row of columns remaining, and a mural depicting what life was like in that location in the glory of Jerusalem.  (FYI:  You can click on any of these photos to see a full sized version)

Mural of The Cardo in its glory

There are even a few stones  remaining of the original street.  I walked over all of them, just in case my feet may touch the same spot where Jesus’ sandals touched.

My “Door Number One!”

I ate another schwarma for lunch (with a Diet Coke, of course), and continued to wander the labyrinth of winding walkways.  I turned a corner and saw this door.  No idea where it leads, but it is by far the most beautiful in the Jewish Quarter.

The Dan Jerusalem hotel is the nicest of them all; I’m glad we are here for the rest of the week.  There are many single women about my age on the tour.  The majority of the group is retirement age couples, but a few younger families and a couple of single men in their 20-30s.  I am totally impressed with the management of the tour; the busses always leave on time, with everyone on board.  Everyone seems to have a sense of community and the necessity for being punctual.  Of course, they DID tell us the first evening that on the back of our name tags is the phone number we need to call if we get “left behind.”  Wow, if that wouldn’t motivate a Christian group to conform, what would??

We had teaching here this morning, on the steps outside the Southern Wall.

The southern wall of the Temple Mount

The energy of Christ among the group is palpable at times, and very moving.  It’s like Sunday morning, all week long– all our brothers and sisters from church being a part of our daily family, every day.  I guess that’s what God’s Kingdom will be like.  Imagine!!

For the gals in Fridays Women’s group, here is the photo you’ve been waiting for!! (Wish you were here, too)

Stepping up!

Oh, and my memorization of James is now complete.  Beth would be so proud of me, no?

Inside the Church of “St. Peter in Gallicantu”

One of the most beautiful sights is the church built upon the spot where Peter denied Jesus three times.

I visited the Wailing Wall, and while I was pressing my little prayer paper into one of the cracks, I was anointed by a bird on the ledge up above…gratefully, I was wearing my hat!

This was the first day we had “local food” for lunch.  I had schwarma (sp?); much like gyros or doner kebab:  meat cooked on a big skewer and sliced off onto a fluffy pita, with humus and fried potatoes. Yum.