Last Day in Jerusalem

I'm standing in a ritual bath next to the temple steps of Jesus' day. Most think that it was in these baths that the 3000 of Pentecost were baptized. Pretty cool to imagine the scene happening in that actual spot. Also we took a tour that traced the steps of Jesus from the high priest's palace to Pilate's palace to the cross and the tomb. Humbling to trace these steps of Jesus.
We leave tonight at 1 am to catch a flight at 5:30m. This trip has been beyond words in terms of what I've experienced and learned. In Jerusalem I've only begun to get a handle on the land which is so central to the working out of god's saving plan. But I am so much richer for having had this experience. I'm sorry I haven't been able to share more...we've been hindered a bit by the failure of wifi at the hotel in Jerusalem but I hope the few pics I posted helped tell some of the story. I look forward to sharing more of my trip soon with any who may be interested. Thanks for following along!!!!

En Gedi Spring

This spring is one of the areas where David hid from Saul in a cave. It is a lush oasis literally in the middle of desert wilderness -- a perfect place to hide! I also took a float in the Dead Sea today...diving in head first did not happen bc I didn't want a face full of salt!!

Spice Pyramid

Remember why Europe wanted to sail to the far East so badly? Spices!! Check out this spice pyramid we found in the market today. Off to the Dead Sea tomorrow! Still no Internet at the hotel so just posting with my phone. Peace!

Garden of Gethsemane

There's a church here called Church of All Nations. We sat thru a Catholic mass there today. The altar is behind a large rock where tradition holds Jesus wept and prayed before being taken by the Roman guard

Dome of the Rock

This is the view from our hotel room balcony in Jerusalem. Got here Friday nite. Going to walk up the Mt. of Olives today. Having trouble connecting to the Internet on my lap top so posting from my phone...good news is that for now my posts will be much shorter!!!

Church of the Nativity

Tradition holds that this is the cave/spot of Jesus' birth. Went back to this church today.

Mother of All Conferences

Friday, March 9 2012

            Whew!   I made it!  Tonight marked the end of the “Christ at the Check Point Conference.  This was the mother of all conferences.  I’ve been to three day conferences but five days is a new personal record.  One of the speakers said that he counted something like 35 speakers.  I believe it too.  Almost all of the speakers were very, very good including one Korean pastor today who told the story of his own country’s occupation and how his family lost their land and even each other.  It was heartbreaking and at one point this elderly Korean pastor began to cry when he said that hearing the stories of the Palestinian church made him re-live his own experiences.  That was a very moving moment and a reminder that many people around the world have suffered at great deal as a result of war and ethnic/religious struggles. 

            I knew something of what this conference was going to be about before I came but I don’t think I knew the half of it.  Here are a few more things I learned about it in these last days.  The “Christ at the Check Point Conference” had as its speakers leading Christian evangelicals from around the world.  I’m not really in touch with the “big names” but I found out that many if not most of them were at this conference.  The “Christ at the Check Point Conference” had 600 people in attendance from 30 countries around the world.  Finally, this conference has been very controversial especially in the western part of the globe.  Frankly, when we in the West hear the word “Palestinian” the very next word that comes into our minds is “terrorist”.  My guess is that this is true for many; I know it is for me.  But there’s this really cool little secret that has to get out – there is a Palestinian Christian church.  It’s a church that’s mostly been forgotten but these Christians are still in the land and really want to be prophetic about making peace and doing reconciliation.  It’s trite to say but it really is amazing.  I’m blown away by what I’ve seen and heard this week!  I look forward to thinking and writing more about it later!

            So I’m turning the page on the conference and moving on to the last leg of my own personal “amazing race”.  Tomorrow, we will do some sightseeing in the area before moving on to Jerusalem where we will spend a few days taking in the sights and hopefully learning some more!  One of the days we plan to go down to the Dead Sea and float.  I have my swimsuit along and plan to dive right in.  Odds are that I’ll chicken out about the “diving in” part but I’ll let you know.

            I’m thankful and surprised at how well I’ve felt on this trip – no sicknesses, really not very tired except for one night, and just feeling a lot of energy.  I think I’m still as charged today about the trip as the first day I left!  Again, thankful for life and the gift it is and especially thankful for those who have kept us in your prayers.  Blessings and more blessings as you head into the weekend!!!