Israel - Our Journey

Book Review - The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster

2011-01-03T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Sacred Journey is not an easy read. The blunt and mysterious statements made by Foster makes the reader wonder just what the writer is wanting from you. It pulls at the imagination, rips the easy chair apart and demands a response at almost every page. It's a collection of prods and goads that will push you forward, frustrate your complacency and leave you disastisfied with status quo.

Foster insists on pilgrimage for every believer. He claims God is a nomad Himself. I disagreed in irritation with some of his conclusions about the normal Christian walk, at first.

Foster recounts his own journeys to places like India, Israel and Jerusalem turned pilgrimages by events and the people he encountered. I relived my own travels and divine appointments as I read even if it was by tour. I determined new destinations.

Foster describes the sojourner's doubts, struggles and persistence in detail. I considered like wilderness treks.

I followed the ramblings of this discoverer in thought and careful consideration and closed the book with a heightened sense of purpose for my own journey.

I joined in full celebration with his conclusion of the ultimate pilgrim journey in the end.
The writer leaves the final decision to the imbiber. Drink deep, or not.

I recommend The Sacred Journey for any spiritual sojourner who wants more.

I received this book through Booksneeze bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The Tel

2010-11-17T11:48:00.000-08:00

Tel Meggido is a city set on a hill . . . of rubble.

I climbed a winding dirt path, then precarious stone steps to a plateau situated 70 feet above the base of Meggido. The Jezreel Valley including Armageddon stretched below.

Our tour group explored the partially excavated passageways, city walls and the rooftop of a palace where King David may have entertained his most important guests. These discoveries along with pottery shards, pieces of iron and forgotten coins create a mysterious puzzle for history lovers. Some archaeologists believe up to 26 different civilizations occupied this 10 acre city during its long history.

As one established people crumbled under conquest or when an earthquake destroyed the foundations of the city, another people moved in. The new inhabitants leveled the remains and built a new foundation upon the rubble of columns and stone. Ground zero is buried at the bottom of the heap and the historical mound is now a Tel.

This post has taken some time to write as I considered the Tel concept. I've seen it in books but never understood just how big that mound is.

My life is much like Tel Meggido with the rubble of my successes and failures the foundation for a higher place in Christ. All is built upon ground zero where Jesus remains my cornerstone. The history is there, the puzzle complex and He is the master builder for who I am. I praise God for His unending mercy.

We entered the tunnel shaft of the water system used to feed the wells and springs throughout the city. The stairs went down, down, down and I began to wonder if I could climb all those steps back up to the summit of Tel Meggido.

Thankfully we exited near the ground level where our bus first let us out.

Tel Meggido, the battlefield. There's more.

Tel Meggido

2010-11-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

The Valley of Armageddon is seemingly endless viewed from the top of Tel Meggido.

On our second day in Israel and before sailing on Galilee, I traversed broken stone paths of Tel Meggido. I listened for whispering echoes from the lives of people who lived in this oldest city on record. It was most difficult to imagine the existence of children in this land that appeared to be so desolate.

I felt the heat of the afternoon sun and the grace of cool valley breezes when I could find a little shade behind a broken down wall.

The stone outlines of adjoining squares indicated where small single room homes shared walls with their neighbors. Market booths signified by central paths still stand as high as 7 feet tall in some places. Interiors of these stone structures are exposed to the sun with no wooden beamed roofs surviving the endless years.

The remains of a grain bin are unmistakeable. Look close. You can see a spiraled narrow ledge on the interior wall. The precarious steps allowed one to reach the storage level of grains even as it dwindled to its lowest point.

Several stone feeding troughs for horses are exposed throughout the city. I remember thinking that perhaps the manger where Jesus lay may have been stone like these rather than the common wooden slats displayed at Christmas. It doesn't really matter.

I'm sure there are many conjectures a little off in our understanding. But there are facts I'm sure about. He came, He died, He rose again.

I've already been asked several times what it was like to walk where Jesus walked. Just to be there. My answer is "amazing", but the real truth is "confounding".

Jesus is reality to me, all that He did.

Being there, seeing these things deepened my yearning for Him. He's alive.

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12

What surprised me about the Sea of Galilee?

2010-11-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

It's huge. I guess I expected the Sea of Galilee to be less than lake size (probably from verses I've read).

It's waters are clear and beautiful. After all, it's very old.

The waves can be great or the water surface glassy smooth. Because of the way it is nestled between geographical ridges the winds can cause the waves to reach surprising heights and capsize small fishing vessels. The disciples were right to be afraid in the natural.

And I was surprised at its beauty.

The full moon accompanied our journey across the Sea of Galilee.

The evening on the boat surpassed every expectation but here is yet another surprise. I love archaeology and in 1986 a boat was found buried in the mud. The sea's water level is reaching record lows and more of the lake bottom is exposed than before. Archaeologists date the boat to be from around the time of Christ. When discovered, historical restoration began by sealing it with a hardened foam and transferring it to a lab where it was cleaned, preserved and reassembled for display.

This really could be a boat Jesus sat in. Is that amazing? Selah.

(Just think about it.)

And here was a very special surprise. How God took a busload of 45 strangers and began a knitting project. The next ten days we would travel and share our lives with one another in an unforgettable journey.

Now we are home, and thoughts of my new friends come often.

Each one special, each one loved.

". . . ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. "

Ephesians 1:15-16

Sea of Galilee - Respite for the Soul

2010-11-04T05:25:00.000-07:00

Sea of Galilee also called Kinneret because of its lyre
shaped boundaries resembling the ancient musical instrument played by David and the Levites.
Fresh water from the Jordan River flows into this sea.
For centuries fishermen built their lives around its
resources and others came to the area in hopes its
shoreline sulpheric springs would heal their maladies.

"Let us go over to the other side of the lake." Luke 8:22

We sailed the Sea of Galilee for less than two hours and our souls found strength.

The Sea itself is much larger than I ever imagined. So are the events that occurred there.

As we sailed, I allowed the waves to retell a few of the stories of the three short years of Jesus' ministry in this place.

I envisioned a boat filled with disciples (the fishers of men) and one sleeping Jesus in the bow, and how the wind and waves plummeted their lives until His words brought peace.

I scanned the shores where once small villages like Nazareth, Capernaum, Tiberias, and Bethsaida now flourish on the east, many according to prophecy.

I shuddered at the realization of the plight of the Gadarene living near the desolate mountains of Moab on the west and rejoiced in the freedom he experienced.

I cherished the thought of a fishing net so abundant the disciples of Jesus needed one another's assistance to bring the spoil to shore.

And, I imagined stepping out of that boat like Peter and experiencing the thrill...and the sinking fear...and then saving grace in spite of his unstable faith.

I realized these are all recurring stories in my life; His Story repeating itself like the unending waves of the Gaililean Sea.

I can understand how the waves and music of this oasis in the middle of a barren land became a place of rest for Jesus and am grateful that in the midst of the storm He simply says, "Peace, be still."

Setting Sail on the Sea of Galilee

2010-11-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

Today, November 2 and our first day home, Rick and I plan to vote.

This photo is one of my favorites. Memories flood my mind of a special evening from the first part of our journey in Israel.

We boarded a ship designed in Bible-time fashion and sailed the ancient Sea of Galilee. The water rushing beneath the boat lulled me into a secret place where it was easy to imagine the same sea over 2,000 years ago.

The crew broke the silence and honored our tour group's presence with the "Star Spangled Banner". All passengers stood and watched a crew member hoist the American flag into view against the evening sky. The Israeli anthem followed as their national flag joined the red, white and blue.

Favorite Christian songs filled the Galilean breeze. The sun set low. Inspired by the atmosphere one crewman sang Jewish songs. A few passengers danced around the wooden deck of the vessel. Others clapped in celebration.

We sang old favorites. Amazing Grace, How Great is Our God and all the others were never more beautiful. Our ancient-like vessel glided near the dock close to the hotel where we would spend the night. The evening bowed.

Today, I gaze at the image of these two flags raised high together and recall a perfect moment, a perfect place and a perfect time. But above all I am reminded of how important it is for America to continue to stand behind Israel. Our vote matters.

Genesis 12:1-3 "...and I will bless those who bless you..."
Psalm 122:6-9 "...May they prosper who love you..."