A Fruit-ful Example

     I continue to enjoy my reading of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I am most captivated by Lincoln's character and even his spirituality, even though it seems he was indeed more of a Deist in his belief system than anything else.
   Most impressive was Lincoln's ability to welcome his rivals into his inner circle. He had an uncanny ability to forgive and even trust people who did hold him in the highest of regard and who oftentimes treated him with contempt. He does not seem to have been swayed by the poisonous motivations of pride, vengeance, or anger, but greeted all people with warmth and humor.
    This is not to say he was a push-over. Lincoln was a fierce debater, and quite eloquent with his ability to reason and communicate strategic, powerful, and truthful arguments, but it did not seem to affect his demeanor toward other people (even his "enemies"). Frederick Douglas once said Lincoln was the only man who truly made him feel as if the color of his skin did not matter.
     Lincoln was quite a paradox.
     One the one hand, he manifested fruit of the Spirit that is supposed to live inside of every believer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (and which so often does not). But on the other hand, he seems to have rejected the central tenet of the faith -- the Resurrection of the Dead and the promise of eternal life.
     How can this be?
     It is, of course, not my place to judge the man, but I cannot help but observe the disconnect. And yet, he exhibited in his life spiritual fruit that is so often hard to find in the world today, even in my own life.

Why Lincoln Was Great

     I haven't read a good book lately, simply for the joy of reading. Suddenly I find myself 120 pages into the epic (and thick!) historical non-fiction book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It is the book that Steven Spielberg's movie Lincoln is based upon.
     Lincoln is so interesting, but not so much for the things he did as president but for the ways he conducted his life and worked through adversity. He had a melancholy personality and battled chronic depression several times in his life. How did he push through? By cultivating a good sense of humor, staying busy, and simply not allowing depression to swallow him whole.
     There were no meds to go upon at this time. In fact, from what I gather, doctors would treat your GI system if you were thought to be "depressed"; it was thought the stomach was the seat of the emotions. No, it wasn't modern medicine that lifted Lincoln out; it was the grace of God and the decision to put one foot in front of the other every day.
     This is inspirational to me, as somebody who has battled depression a few times in his life.
     I am also struck by the realization that Lincoln did not have, it seems, a belief in the afterlife. The Christian promises of the Resurrection and eternal life were not things in which he placed his hopes. This doesn't mean he did not believe in God; he just seems to have been more of a Deist than anything. I am not judging the guy; these are Kearns-Goodwin's observations.
     This goes to prove that faith is more than simply knowing the Bible, because Lincoln had whole portions of the Scriptures memorized. I guess we could blame his lack of hope in eternal life, in part, to a hard life filled with loss. He lost his mother, sister, and his own children to early death. But then again, others of his day, like Salmon Chase, experienced significant loss and still clung to the hope and promise of eternal life.
     I don't know what to make of Lincoln. It is obviously sad that he did not share this hope, but the guy is nothing short of inspiring.

Lessons from Fantine

     A few weeks ago, I led a funeral service for a young man who was shot and killed in an apparent drug deal gone bad. The young man went to a location thinking he was making a deal but was robbed instead.
     At the service, as you might imagine, the young man's friends showed up in all their diversity. There were plenty of tattoos and piercings, and people from all walks of life.
     If I am honest, I struggled with judgment. In my mind, I was tempted to write many of these individuals off before even getting to know them. God showed me on this day that he is about the business of saving and redeeming all kinds of people who have all types of stories.
     In Les Miserables, Fantine is a woman who has a child out of wedlock (in 19th century France). After she is fired from her factory job and thrown into the street, she resorts to a life of prostitution. Her soul is stolen in a moment. All of the dreams she had in life are shattered by this one decision. If you have time, download the song "I Dreamed a Dream" from the soundtrack and listen closely to the words. It is the song of a girl who has lost her soul and wants it back.
     It seems to me that there are a lot of lost souls who want a new life in Christ. There are drug dealers, thieves, porn stars, prostitutes, and all types of people who don't like the life they are living but don't know how to get out. There are others, of course, who are quite content to live in this garbage. My heart is touched for this first group of people who want out but don't know how to get out.
     How can we, as the Church, open ourselves to helping these people? How do we get dirty in this mud and yet not get stained? The first step, the most important step, is to open our hearts and to begin to feel compassion for them.
     If you would like to develop a heart for one group of these people, women who have resorted to a career in the adult film industry, I recommend a Web site to you, http://iamatreasure.com/. It is full of personal testimonies of women like Fantine who have found Christ in the depths of their sin.
    If our hearts will be touched and if we are to begin to have compassion on "those" people, it begins by listening to their stories, because they each have one.

Joy for the Miserable Ones

     I just saw the motion picture, Les Miserables, and I am compelled to write about it. It is so loaded with spiritual themes that I could spend days unpacking.

     The most obvious theme, it seems, is forgiveness and redemption. Jean Valjean served 19 years of hard labor for stealing bread (to save his family) and for repeated escape attempts. Upon his release, he is consigned to probation and must report regularly or face life imprisonment as a repeat offender. Moreover, he must carry around papers documenting that he is a "danger to society." Nobody will hire him. Nobody will help him. Nobody will give him a second chance.

     JeanValjean eventually shreds his papers and goes into hiding, only to re-emerge nine years later as a successful businessman, in fact mayor of a small town! His past, though, personified in officer Javert, never lets him rest. Once Javert becomes aware that Jean Valjean is indeed still alive, he commits his life to bringing Jean Valjean to "justice."

    When I think about this theme, I think about Paul's words in Second Corinthians 5:17: "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. The old has gone; the new has come." I think about how hard it is for us to allow others (and ourselves) to live into this reality.

     Jean Valjean paid his debt to society, and then some, and yet the world would not let his "sin" go. It followed him like a ghost, robbing him of a normal life and, in fact, robbing society of his gifts for leadership! 

     We do the same thing today in the ways we label ex-convicts, for sure. A friend of mine who is involved with prison ministry puts it like this. We have all done something worthy of imprisonment at some time in our life. The only difference with ex-cons is that they were caught!

    This argument breaks down after a point, but I get the idea. We are all sinners! "There is no one righteous. No, not one!" (Romans 3:10) 

     I am not talking about abandoning our justice system, nor am I making a judgment on its merits and deficiencies. What I am talking about is the attitudes we have toward those who have been released from "prison," whether that is the physical place with iron bars and concrete or the invisible prisons in which we have all served time.

    And sometimes, it is we who refuse to forgive ourselves for crimes/sins of the past. At some point, it is time to let it go and embrace the new creation that we are in Jesus Christ.

O Holy Night

     There is nothing like a full sanctuary on Christmas Eve!
     Last night at the 9 PM candlelight service, we had 500 in attendance. The balcony was full, the choir overflowed on the chancel, rows of families filled whole pews. Worship is not like this every Sunday, but it sure is nice to see the way things could be.
     We will always have a spike in attendance on these "High Holy Days," I guess. Out-of-town guests accompany church members and their families. College students are home for winter break. Even those who have fallen out of regular worship habits come to join the family of God at worship on Christmas Eve.
     Say what you will, but I rejoice and give thanks for the turnout last night, even if things won't be like this again until Easter Sunday. I would prefer that we filled the sanctuary every week of the year. I would rather see people make regular worship attendance a priority in their lives, but I'll take what I can get. Better to have them worship once a year and hear the Word proclaimed than not at all.
     Next week, attendance will drop off. Families will catch their airplanes back home. College students will sleep in. Church members who haven't yet cultivated a regular worship habit will resort to old Sunday morning routines. But for today, on this cold, wet Christmas Day, I will give thanks for a wonderful evening of worship.
   

So Now What?

     OK. I've had some time to think about things since my last post. I have searched for the sunny side of things and tried to come back with a more upbeat post, especially since it's Christmas Eve!

     The conclusion I keep coming back to: We no longer live in a Christian culture. That chapter of the Church is dead in the United States of America, and it is probably true in Europe and other western nations as well.

     There was a time when Christ and the Church took center stage in the town square. Stores were closed on Sundays. Prayer in school was the accepted norm. There was no such thing as no-fault divorce. There was a certain standard for musical lyrics on the radio. There were no atheistic groups posting anti-Christmas billboards in Times Square that read, "Keep Merry, Kill the Myth." 

      These trends are obviously sad and troubling. More important than a sentimental longing to get back to Mayberry is the realization that a new generation is growing up without knowledge of Christ, without a base knowledge of the Bible, and with little to no use for the Church. Also, legislation in our nation is becoming more at-odds with traditional, biblical values. I have already mentioned no-fault divorce, but the issue of gay marriage will be decided this year by the U.S. Supreme Court. And although we cannot legislate morality, the laws of this nation have a way of shaping and re-inforcing what we value as moral or immoral.

     None of this is new. I am not saying anything in this post that others haven't beaten into the ground. I think I am just finally awaking to this realization.

     The question now is, "So what?" What are the implications of this realization? Do I settle for perpetual frustration with every headline I read? Do we retreat from the world like the Essenes or do we stay in the game?

     The temptation for me -- always -- is to retreat in the wilderness. It would be so much easier for me to detach myself emotionally from grandiose expectations. The words of the The Lord's Prayer, however, challenge us to work for God's will on earth as it is in heaven. We may not win, but we must continue to work and trust God to bring about the results that He wants. 

     There is something very simple and beautiful about Jesus words in Matthew 5:14: "You are a city on a hill. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." All that we can do is to cultivate healthy spiritual practices in our lives, feed our minds, nurture our relationships, and work faithfully at our craft (whatever that craft may be). When we do this, the Light of the world will overcome the darkness that is now at work.

Maybe the Mayans Were Correct

     It appears the Mayans were wrong.
     I guess, in fairness, the world could still end in the next eight hours (it is now 4 PM CST) but it is highly improbable.
     It doesn't matter, though, because in many ways it seems the world has already ended. Perhaps this is what the Mayans were talking about. School shootings and random slayings are in the news every other day. Divorce, heterosexual promiscuity, and homosexual practice are basically accepted social norms. And God only knows what else is going on this very second.
     It is becoming more of a post-Christian world every day.
     God is sovereign. God will work it all out in the end, I know, but I am struggling to see "His kingdom come, His will be done" right here on earth.
     Others have had the same mindset as me in previous generations. I know I am not the first to look around and see morality eroding and wonder if this is the generation that will see it all come to an end.
    All that we can do is conduct our own lives, raise our children in the fear and instruction of the Lord, and be a Light to others.
    But I'm not gonna lie. There are days like this when it seems the end has already come.
    I sound pretty fatalistic, I know.
    Tomorrow, if it comes, will be a new day and perhaps a better outlook.
   

Pastors Git 'R Done

     In seminary, I was taught not to become the church custodian, A/V technician, cook, and secretary. I should focus on teaching, preaching, and providing pastoral care and let the other folks in the church take ownership of these other areas.
     I could not agree more with this approach. It is the same paradigm that Jethro advised Moses to embrace as the challenges of leadership grew more complex (Exodus 18).
    Paradigms, I have since learned, have their limits.
    There are times when a job -- no matter how low-down and dirty the job may be -- simply needs to get done. It is not that other leaders in the church can't get it done, but sometimes you just have to Git 'R Done.
     Lately I have been the lead staff person/pastor for The Gathering, a new contemporary worship service at Grace Presbyterian Church. It is, in essence, like planting a new church. We have tremendously talented musicians and other leaders, but right now our infrastructure is still in its infancy. The choice is either to let things muddle along and hope infrastructure will magically fall in place. But in the early stages of a new church, no job is too small or too big.
     Call it a paradigm shift for me. I would rather sit behind my desk and write sermons and read books. But sometimes it's time to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
     And it's kinda fun!
   

A Time to Play

     We work too many hours in the United States.
     This is the conclusion of Juliet Schor in her book, The Overworked American. It is an older book published back in the 1980s, but her conclusions still ring true. We work more hours than any other nation because we have to keep up with consumer lifestyles that have become as a runaway train!
     It is no mistake that Schor wrote a second book with the title, The Overspent American.
     What we need is time to play, and not play that serves merely as an escape from work and the demands of life. We need play that, as Jurgen Moltmann writes in his Theology of Play, helps us to imagine a new future. In other words, the games that we play should help us to creatively imagine a "counter-culture." The games appear to participants (on the outside) as just another fun game; but the underlying purpose is imagining a future that lifts us out of this spend-more, work-more lifestyle.
     Our joy is at stake. True freedom is at stake.
     What does this look like in real life? I have some ideas for me personally. I would like to plant a raised garden in my backyard and work on a project that the whole family can do together. First and foremost, it would be fun! But there is also the purpose of imagining a new future in which we are not tied to commercially raised produce that is wrapped in Celophane. It is an exercise that affirms Creation and sustainable agricultural practices.
     Another idea. How about a simple game of hide-and-seek around the house? My children and I played this game the other day and it was a lot of fun! I don't know the underlying, counter-cultural purpose of hide-and-seek, but I'm sure there is one.
     Maybe it is imagining a future in which Mom, Dad, and children are free to laugh and enjoy each other's company, without worrying about homework, swimming practice, e-mails, Facebook posts, and uncompleted projects at work.
     Maybe this is reason enough to play!

Farewell to Old Books

     What is it about old books that are so hard to throw away?
     I have zero space in my office for the various papers, file folders, and other miscellaneous items that come across my desk. They either end up in stacks on the floor or they fall off of my desk because there is no more real estate.
     I also have books I have not touched in years, and yet the thought of throwing them away just doesn't sit right with me.
     Medically speaking, we're probably bordering on an OCD diagnosis or a mental condition that could land me on the television series, "Hoarding."
     Honestly, it's not that bad, but it is time to clean house in my office and purge myself of books that are just dead weight. Even though it's hard, it also feels kind of good to scale back. Who knows? Maybe I will now read some of those books that have made the grade.
     The new year is coming. It is time to purge some of the old stuff in our lives that is no longer valuable, or that keeps us from being as productive as we can be. We like to hold on to old things (possessions, memories, attitudes, et. al.) because they have sentimental value, but there comes a time to purge and return to the essentials that we need in life.
     Everything else is just dead weight.

No Life is Beyond Redeeming

     Funeral services are an opportunity to proclaim the good news of the Gospel -- that the faithfully departed will be raised at the last day. In my tradition, the service is called, "A Witness to the Resurrection." This both refers to Christ's Resurrection, and to the promise that those who die in Christ will also be raised.
     The challenge for pastors is that we do not always know the faith of those who die and those whose lives we celebrate through services of Witness to the Resurrection. Some lived and breathed every day in the life of the local church. We know their deeds and have witnessed firsthand the fruits of that faith. For others, we simply do not know. Yes, they may have been baptized as infants, but then we hear reports of them veering so far off course in life.
     Does the Good News of the Resurrection apply to them as well?
     Today we celebrate the life of an 18 year old man who was shot and killed in some type of drug exchange. He lived a hard life. He was baptized in the faith and his parents raised him the best they could. What do we make of the good news for his life?
     The conclusion that I have come to is that we just don't know! The only thing we can do is proclaim the Good News of the mercy of God, trusting that there is no "hard case" that he cannot redeem. We are not privy to the roll-book in the sky, but can only hope that God is merciful to those he has marked with his covenantal promises in the waters of baptism.

Culture of Violence and Death is to Blame

     Mike Lopresti wrote a thoughtful article in USA Today yesterday reflecting on the shootings at the school in Connecticut. One of his observations, and I could not agree more, is that we have created (and perpetuate) a culture of blood and violence in this country. There is no one reason why these shootings continue to happen, but it is more than gun-control laws. It arises when children (who grow into 22-year-old adults) are saturated with violent video games, violent movies, and violent prime-time television.
     It is everywhere.
     Now, we are able to make our own choices. No video game or movie forces us to do anything. And yet, it has a desensitizing effect on us. Maimed bodies become "comical" and elicit a chuckle from youth or a high-five, as they congregate around the Play Station or XBox.
     Don't believe me? Watch kids play these games sometime and you will know what I am talking about.
     We made a decision in our household about 6 months ago to get rid of all violent video games on the kids' XBox. This was painful for the kids, and they still ask me sometimes if we can "go back" to playing these games again.
     The answer needs to be no. And in fact, we as a family need to watch less of television programs where the indiscriminate loss of life is a necessary ingredient for our entertainment.
     And just as gun-control is not the be-all, end-all, neither are my recommendations. It goes beyond gun control and it goes beyond violent video games and movies.
     There is something wrong with the heart of this nation. It is deep-seated and dangerous, and I pray that God can help us to change behaviors, laws, and values that are destroying us.

Christmas Season Brings Joy and Pain

     The Christmas season brings much joy to the world: gift exchanges, office parties, time with family, moving worship services, cookies, wassel, sentimental movies, the list goes on. But there is also a lot of pressure that comes with the Christmas season.
     There is pressure to purchase gifts for all of the special people in our lives. And for those among us with tight financial budgets, this can make for an exceedingly stressful month. Not only do we have to make sure our children or grandchildren have their socks blown off by mounds of Christmas presents, but we also feel the pinch to purchase gifts for neighbors, nieces, cousins, co-workers, and friends.
     There is the pressure to experience warm and special family moments around the family fireplace. For those among us who have experienced divorce or the death of a spouse or child, the Christmas season can be painful. The empty chair at the table is a constant reminder of painful loss, and the hearth of the fireplace seems to yield nothing but cold and ashes.
     There is the pressure to be at every holiday event (family parties, office parties, church worship services) on top of an already-full family calendar.
     I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer or anything. I love Christmas. As a pastor, however, I am aware that the pastoral care needs in my congregation increase around this time of year. More of the pain in people's lives rises to the surface; feelings and emotions that were buried throughout the first 11 months of the year find their way to the surface.
     Whether or not we are a pastor, we can all be on the lookout for friends, co-workers, family members, and neighbors that may be having a difficult time with the holidays. This is not an attempt to add another burden to the pressures we already experience, but to encourage us to keep one eye open for those among us who appear to be imploding.

Why Youth Sports Has Value

     There are times when youth sports gets to be too much ... way too much. Parents go overboard. The youth athletes go overboard. Grandparents go overboard. Everybody goes overboard!
     Today, families don't even blink when a weekend sports tournament or event means that Sunday morning worship service and Sunday School will be missed. We don't think twice about plunking down several thousand dollars on sports equipment and registration fees, or out-of-state tournaments. And we give our hearts and minds away to the dream of becoming a star athlete and perhaps earning a college scholarship. For many of us, it literally is becoming a form of idol worship.
     Having said this, I still think there is value in youth sports. For all of my griping and complaining, the bottom line is that my children are involved in competitive swimming. This means weekend swim meets and before- and after-school practices. It means complete dedication for the whole family! We try our best to keep the sport from becoming an idol, but it takes work, especially in this competitive sports culture in North Texas.
     So why does our family even bother with youth sports in the first place? Yes, I have dreams that perhaps one of my kids (or more) will earn a college scholarship. Yes, I have dreams that they will advance to a high school state swim meet. But more importantly, I like that my kids are learning the value of hard work and mental toughness.
     Swimming is teaching my children to work toward their "personal best" at all times, and that to reach their personal best, it will take commitment and lots of hours in the pool. They may never win first place. They may never come close to a state meet or the opportunity to swim competitively in college. But they will learn the value of hard work, and the gratification that comes from committing yourself to a goal. They will also experience all of the wonderful benefits that come from regular physical exercise.
     And most importantly, they will learn that swimming is only one part of who they are!

Worship is Costly

     As I was reading Matthew 26 this morning, it hit me that worship is costly.

     A woman brings something of great worth to the home of Simon the leper for the sole purpose of anointing The Christ (The Anointed One). She offers the Lord something of costly value as an expression of worship.
     In other words, worship costs us something!
     You and I may not have material riches to lavish upon the Lord. We may not have an alabastar jar of expensive ointment. However, we all have the precious commodity of time!
     Some might say that worship is a real waste of time. Rather than worship on a Sunday morning, we could be doing other things like working, playing, or competing (for families with children in select-team sports). This passage demonstrates that setting aside daily and weekly time for worship -- worship in which we bring ourselves to full attention before the Lord -- is a form of costly worship.
     And when we bring this gift of costly worship before the Lord, he is well-pleased.

The Five Dollar Challenge

     I am a cheapskate. For the longest time, I have not kept cash in my wallet because I know that I will spend it and "fritter it away."
     We run a tight ship in the Keffer household. Every dollar counts. But over time, this stingy habit of mine is catching up with me spiritually. I have let too many opportunities to give pass me by, and this takes a toll on a person after a while.
     Inspired by the book Advent Conspiracy, I have decided to keep five $1 bills in my pocket/wallet for the sole purpose of giving them away. Instead of walking past the Salvation Army bell ringer and trying to sneak past him unnoticed, I am setting aside resources to give away. I am now prepared to meet the bell ringer head on with a financial contribution. Every time I have a chance to give toward some other-centered cause, I want to be prepared to give.
     One dollar is not a whole lot of money, I know, but it is the discipline of giving that I want to start in my life. I have been stingy with God's blessings for too long. I need to be more like a waterfall that allows God's blessings to pass through me, rather than a stagnant pond that has no outlet.
     This is inspired by the book, The Advent Conspiracy (McKinley, Seay, and Holder). It is time to move from being simply a consumer of God's grace to a conspirator of God's grace.
     Join with me in this challenge!
     Here is the challenge that I and others in my congregation are taking this week. We will have a new challenge next Sunday.

Advent Conspiracy

Thank you for taking the $5 Dollar Challenge. This week, please keep five $1 bills in your pocket and give them away, as God leads. Practice the art of giving and move consumer to conspirator of God’s grace.

Prayer: “God, you gave it all for me in your son, Jesus Christ. May each dollar that I give away this week teach me how to be a better giver. May every dollar be a blessing to you and those who receive it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Avoiding the Wastelands

     Every day, it seems, our minds want to lead us into the wilderness, a place in Scripture that is portrayed as a dry and barren wasteland. It is the place that the Scapegoat, Jesus Christ, was led into for 40 days and nights. It is the place of temptation and confusion and desolation.
     If I have learned one thing over the past few years it is this: We must renew our minds (Romans 12) and be transformed spiritually. We cannot settle for the wastelands, but instead must ask God to renew our minds and, in turn, our spirits and our lives.
     I get discouraged sometimes as I think about the moral course of our nation and even the Church (my denomination, anyways). It is disheartening to read how the Supreme Court's is going to decide on federal court rulings in San Francisco concerning gay marriage, because I know how decisions have been trending lately. I grow frustrated when I read about how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s ecclesial courts turn a blind eye to pastors who are blatantly violating our church's constitution.
     Things appear to be careening into the wastelands, at times, particularly in what we teach about the definition of marriage and all things "family." I feel at times like there is no redeeming it, that God has withdrawn his hand. My defeatist attitudes steer me into the same wastelands. And then I remember the unique place I am in to teach and preach the Scriptures and God's Word.
     Each of us is in a position to follow God's plan for our lives. If we are living and breathing, then God can use us. I prefer to stand alongside others, because I know I cannot do it alone, but I am still here. You are still here. We are still able to seek renewal and not cross over into the wastelands.

Off the Google Grid

     I am shocked.
     I just Googled the name of a historical person that a standard Google search knows nothing about. I didn't think this was possible.
     Go ahead. Try it. The guy's name is Rev. John Fleetwood, a Bible scholar from the 17th or 18th centuries who wrote the book, "The Life of Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Google his name and tell me if you can find any historical information about this guy. The only results I get are book distributors trying to sell old copies of this book.
     I want to know about this man. You see, somebody just gave me an 1863 copy of this book as a gift. It will need to be restored professionally, but I would like to know more about what I am having restored.
     Aside from being more than a little curious about this man, I am excited to know there may be uncharted territory out there in cyberspace. It's not exactly Columbus in search of the Indies, but it's got my pioneering blood flowing this morning.

Life in the Slow Lane

     I just had lunch with an older friend of mine. He drove a whopping 30 miles per hour the whole way to the restaurant, and he opted to stay in the "fast" lane of traffic.
    Other drivers weaved their cars around us, so they could arrive at their destinations more quickly. My friend, well, he was oblivious to the aggravation he was causing neighboring drivers. He continued to drive at his own pace, while the world raced on around him.
     And then there was lunch.
     I powered through my hamburger, fries, and salad in short order while he took his time, cutting each piece of medium-rare steak methodically, taking about one bite every five minutes. More important to him, it seems, was our time together and stories well-told. Me, I was completely interested in what he had to say, don't get me wrong, but I was constantly thinking about the ticking seconds and minutes left in my work day.
     Lunch today was a  positive exercise, not only because it was delicious (and free) but because my friend forced me to slow down for things that need to be taken more slowly: eating, friendship, conversation, and yes, driving.

Life as a Spiritual Camel

     I am what you call a spiritual camel. When my tank runs low, I drink wide and deep from spiritual water sources (watching video sermons, reading books, connecting with old mentors, extra prayer time, extra time in Scripture, etc...). My day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month disciplines, however, leave room for improvement. What I need is a sustainable, spiritual life as a follower of Jesus Christ, a life that visits spiritual oases on a daily basis.
     Yes, pastors need to "get a life" (a spiritual one) just as with any other disciples. We like to double-dip from our preparation time for sermons and Bible studies. In other words, we oftentimes count the time we spend preparing a message or lesson for other people as time alone with God. I do not discount that we reap spiritual blessings and insights performing this work for the Church, but I don't think it really counts as personal devotional time with the Lord.
     This past week, I have reconnected with old pals in the faith, guys that will pray for and encourage me in my faith and guys that I can pray for and encourage. I am gorging right now on video sermons, and reading theological articles out the wazzoo. The key to an ongoing life of spiritual health for me, though, is continuing these daily and weekly practices once my tank is again full.
     In the meantime, I will enjoy the water.

Wrestling with Apostolic Succession

     I have struggled with the doctrine of apostolic succession lately. Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians would claim legitimacy as the "One, True Church" simply because the pope can trace his role as the Vicar of Christ all the way back to St. Peter. The "keys of the kingdom," they argue, have been passed down from pope-to-pope -- regardless of how good or corrupt -- throughout the first 2,000 years of the church.
    Apostolic succession, rather, seems more about passing along the doctrines of the early church, and the Gospel message itself, from generation to generation.
    It is amazing how the message of the Gospel has remained intact for two millennia despite our best efforts to dilute and silence it. The Word of God has remained a bedrock while the world has been led back-and-forth by every wind of teaching.
     Like the long line of popes before us, the Church has sometimes proclaimed this message in its fullness; at other times not so much. We sometimes preach the Christian message "in spirit and in truth"; at other times we are absorbed into the culture around us or we swing toward harsh legalism.
    To the degree that we receive and pass along the true teachings of the Church -- proclaiming it in word and deed, in spirit and in truth -- we stand in the line of apostolic succession and stand as the One, True Church.
     It does not depend upon which tradition or denomination we come from. It does not depend upon how historic our church building is, or if we meet in a shopping center or gymnasium. It does not depend upon whether we worship God with praise music instruments or the organ. It does not depend upon whether we use liturgy in our worship or gravitate toward a bulletin-less service.
     Apostolic succession is all about the message that we proclaim (as a community of faith) with our words and our lives.
    O Lord, help us to be more apostolic.

Taking the Day Off

     It's good to know that when I have a Sunday off, the worship of God goes on.
     This is perhaps the most egotistical statement ever written, and yet it is important for a self-centered soul like me to remember. Last night was my wife's office Christmas party and I had a Sunday morning off from the church. No worship leading. No preaching. Just a whole lot of sleeping in on a lazy Sunday morning at The Magnolia, a fancy hotel in downtown Dallas.
    It's kind of nice to have a day off, now and then. But what is truly nice is when I called our worship leader, Brandon, at 2 this afternoon to check in on how the service went. It turns out we had several guests who visited. The Spirit of God was moving, he said, and generally speaking, things went just fine!
     Just fine?! You mean the worship of God does not depend upon my presence? My leadership? God, do you mean to tell me that you don't need me?
     Well, as it turns out, that is a true statement. God does not need me to do his work on Sunday mornings (or on any other day, for that matter), but He chooses to use me. It is a privilege to lead people in the worship of the living God on Sunday mornings and to preach God's Word. But it's so cool that God's work continues on in this little corner of His kingdom even when a pastor gets the day off.
   

Can't Go Back

     I just finished up a book that is my life in reverse.
   Rome Sweet Rome is the autobiographical account of Scott and Kimberly Hahn and their journey to Roman Catholicism. Scott was a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastor who, after much theological wrestling, found a new home in the Catholic Church. It took his wife years to follow him wholeheartedly along the same path, but she also experienced a seismic, spiritual shift that led her to Rome.
    Part of me is seriously drawn to his story. There are times I long for "Mother Church" (the church of my youth). I admire the way Roman Catholics have "stuck to their guns" as our cultural landscape continues to shift (on everything from Pro Life stances to their positions on divorce and sexuality).
     My denomination -- in an attempt to be culturally relevant at every turn -- continues to fall away from orthodox, scriptural teachings that have guided the Church for millennia.
    You see, I started off as a Roman Catholic, but after accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in college, I landed in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I also spent a few years in the Presbyterian Church in America.
     I don't forsee a time when I will land back in the Roman Catholic Church, but it is fun to read about how God worked in a person's life and led them in a completely different direction.
     But if the Church is bigger than one denomination or tradition, then maybe we are already a part of the one, true catholic church.

Worm experiment ends badly, but lessons still learned

     I am a worm killer.
     I say this half jokingly, but I also feel horrible!
     The 1,500 or so little guys were doing so well in the worm bin in my garage. Temps in my garage remain in the very low 80s, which is an acceptable -- even desirable -- temperature. They were munching so happily on corn shucks, broccoli, strawberries, and all of our organic kitchen scraps. I was even considering harvesting some of the worms and putting them in plastic containers to sell for fishing bait (which, ironically, would have led to their same fate).
    But a week ago, after a stretch of 100 degree days in North Texas, the garage started to smell. I thought it was just the casings that needed cleaned out.
    Uh-uh. It was a worm massacre.
    Did I learn some things about the foods I eat, and our family's waste stream? Absolutely. There is so much we simply do not need to throw out. These little guys can tear apart not only soft food scraps, but paper towels, broccoli stems ... I even threw in part of a cotton sock to see what would happen.
     They are incredibly hard workers. Lord only knows what type of business they take care of underground.
     I did not save the planet through this project ... didn't even come close. But it was fun! I just wish it didn't have to end so horribly on the part of the worms.
     I think vermi-composting is one step above my skill level. My next venture into composting, I think, will be one of those composting tumbler things.
    I am excited to start the final project for my doctor of ministry project in late August. I have about eight families who will be designing their own projects (like vermi-composting) that can help them to think about how to live more faithfully in a consumer culture.

Closing in on the Goal

     I am finally getting closer to my goal weight of 230 pounds.
     I had rocketed to as high as 267 pounds since moving to North Texas two years ago, and at last I am closing in my goal. I weighed in at 241 today ... just 11 more pounds to go!
     There are several things that have contributed to my last two months of successful calorie-counting. We now live in our own house, Kim has finally found the right job, and the Lord has given me a new desire to "go for it."
     It's funny, but I suddenly love the iPhone app, "Lose It!" I hated this app when my desire was not to lose weight, probably because I could not stay under my calorie count. But now for some reason, it has been life-giving to have control over the amount of calories I put into my body, and this app is a great way to log the foods that I eat.
     I also have discovered that physical exercise -- even moderate exercise -- has to go hand-in-hand with calorie counting. It's not about getting in tip-top shape as much as it is kick-starting my metabolism, so that it makes efficient use of the calories I do put into my body.
     I'm no dietician, but this is what I have learned from personal experience.
     Anyhow, I am motivated to stay the course. In about a month I should reach my goal, and then comes the work of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I probably will always have to log calories, even after reaching the goal.

An Afternoon Run With Mr. Negative

I realize somebody may refer me to medication for the following, but here is the kind of crazy conversations I have in my head when it is time for an afternoon run. In keeping with Paul, I am encouraged to "take every thought captive." If I don't replace the negative, unhelpful thoughts with positive, encouraging ones, I go nowhere fast.

This applies to running, parenting, church work, or whatever I do.

Mr. N: "It's too hot for a jog. This is your day off!"

Response: Just because I am "off" doesn't mean I have to sit around in the air-conditioning all day. If I drink enough water, it's a great time for a run. If it is too hot, I'll run in the morning or in the evening.

Mr. N: "There is work to do. You don't have time for a run."

Response: If I do not exercise my body and clear my mind and spirit, I am not nearly as productive or cheery at home or at the church. I can't work without it.

Mr. N: "This incline is too much. Stop and walk the rest of the way."

Response: Make it to the top of the hill and then walk. Push through the hard times and then slow it down. Your heart rate is still going strong, even when you walk.

Mr. N: "Wow. You didn't reach your goal today. Your run was a failure."

Response: Every stride is a glory to God. I do have goals, but every time I make it out of my house and move my body, it is a reason to celebrate.

Mr. N: "There is no way you will ever get back to running 6-8 miles. Your best years are behind you."

Response: I ran 8.5 miles non-stop once in my life. Nobody can take the Dallas Turkey Trot away from me, and it happened only three years ago. With God's blessing, it will happen again.

------------

Prayer: "God, thank you for this day. I will rejoice and be glad in it."

Approaching Creation Care with Caution

     This week I wrap up a three-week Sunday school module on "The Christian Response." We are asking the question, "Jesus is risen, so now what?"
    My response to this question has always been pretty simple. We respond to God's grace in our lives by witnessing to others and sharing our personal testimonies with those whom God places in our lives. In other words, we respond to Easter by living a joyful, Christian life, and trying to convince others to know the new life that we know.
    I'm still down with all these things, by the way.
    However, there are other ways to respond, ways that are not mutually exclusive of each other. One is the Micah 6:8 response, "to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God." By caring for the widow, the orphan, the poor, the immigrant, and other vulnerable groups in society, we testify to the Good News.
    I'm pretty sure I don't do enough of this.
    Another option, one I have never placed too much stock in before, has to do with creation care.
    Books like "For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian vision for Creation Care," by Steven Bouma-Prediger, have helped me to at least consider "stewardship of creation" as a legitimate Christian response.
    Bouma-Prediger offers a God-centered vision, rather than many of the other approaches that fall under the umbrella of "environmentalism." In other words, it's more about God than it is Al Gore.
    If God has created all things, and allowed us to have dominion over all things, then we should "rule" over creation with a loving, wise, God-like rule. If all creation is groaning in labor pains, as Paul says it is in Romans 8, then perhaps God has a redemptive purpose for all creation.
    It is something to think about. It has inspired me to at least consider creation care as a valid response to the Gospel, and not simply a cultural trend.
    There is something to it, for sure. But I continue to approach with caution.

The Worms Have Arrived

     The shipment of 2,000 red wiggler worms has arrived. The little squirmers are happily (I hope) in their new home, munching on some broccoli and watermelon rinds we had earlier this week. I also threw in some coffee grounds and banana peels. In 2-3 months, I have read, I will be ready to harvest the first batch of compost.
     Why am I messing around with vermi-composting?
     I was first inspired by a guy named Harland, the previous senior pastor I served with in Beaumont. He and his wife have had a worm-composting bin in their living room for several years now, to feed the thousand or so day lilies in their back yard.
     I am personally not an uber-green kind of guy. I am also not a major gardener or anything. I am trying my hand at composting with worms so that I can think more about the foods I eat. In short, I believe I can lead a healthier life if I eat less of the things that the worms can't eat (meats, cheeses, processed foods) and more of the things that they can eat (raw vegetables and fruits).
     If I accomplish only this goal, then it has been worth it.
     I also want to develop some type of deeper connection to creation. I have a dog and cat at home, and also a pet fish. We have a few plants, and hopefully some day will have a garden and some nice landscaping. But other than that, there is a whole lot of concrete ...
    Hopefully this whole composting thing will move me toward this deeper connection to the dirt.
    Lastly, I am working on helping families to cultivate new disciplines that can help them to think differently about living in a consumer culture. It could be composting, it could be recycling, it could be sponsoring a child through groups like World Vision. This is the focus of my final project for my doctor of ministry degree.
    So there you have it. I have 2,000 worms out in the garage hopefully doing there work. Away we go...
 

Easter reflections

     Holy Week and Easter Sunday have come and gone, and I am drained.

     We had an incredible week of worship, with a Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday Tenebrae service, overnight prayer vigil (that started with a prayer service on Saturday night), and of course the full slate of Easter Sunday services (including the sunrise service).

     It is a lot, but as I reflect on it, it was worth it.

     The Tenebrae service is always powerful, as we move from light to darkness and leave the sanctuary singing the refrain, "Jesus, Remember Me, When you come into your Kingdom." The highlight for me this year, though, was the Saturday night prayer vigil.

     About 10 of us gathered in the narthex at 7:30 Saturday night and prayed for each person who had signed up for a 30-minute slot for our overnight prayer vigil. People who signed up could pray in their homes, and we had at least two people committed to pray during every shift.

     I took the 2:30-3 AM shift, and I'll be honest, I wasn't sure if I could get myself up. But sure enough, when the 2:28 alarm went off in my iPhone, I headed out to the living room, sat Indian-style, and the prayers just flowed (with intermittent nods of sleep). 

     I prayed for our worship services the following morning, and the hundreds of people who would come walking through our doors. I prayed for people in our church. I prayed for my family. And yes, I prayed for myself.

     It was by far the most powerful 30 minutes of the Lenten and Easter season.

     It was so quiet in the house. The world seemed to be asleep. Jesus was still "in the tomb."

     I claim no credit for waking up, or for the prayers that rolled off my tongue over the course of 30 minutes. It was a Spirit-thing, through-and-through. In fact, next year, I am going to be quicker about signing up so I can find a time slot that is more agreeable to my sleep schedule!

     But for this year, I rejoice at these 30 minutes spent in prayer in the dead of night. I attribute it to the prayers of the 10 folks (perhaps more) who "prayed for the pray-ers" on Saturday night.

     I hope the other 25 people who joined in vigil had a similar experience.

     It is now Monday morning. I am caught up on my sleep. Christ is risen. A new year begins.

Insights from Week 2 on the Fitness Trail

     OK. Two weeks strong on the fitness trail, and I have a few insights to share.
     The last time around, which was about 1 1/2 years ago, it was all about the numbers on the scale. There was a lot of looking in the mirror to measure results. Nothing too atypical about that approach to fitness, but it ended with a thud, just about the time I moved from Beaumont to North Texas.
     Insight No. 1 -- This time around, there is a spiritual component to my working out. I have two wonderful people who "pray over me" each week at church. Through our prayer time, we have confirmed that my workout time is my time alone with God. When I go to the gym or hit the road for a run, I go to meet God. I go to pray. I go to relieve stress and "hand it over" to God.
     It is a markedly different mindset. Not that I won't peak at the scale now and then or strike a pose in the mirror, but the motivation is quite different.
     By God's grace, the Spirit will sustain what the flesh could not.
     Insight No. 2 -- I do need accountability. No sooner did I post the previous post than someone sent me this important reminder. There is something to be said for getting myself out of bed this morning and kicking myself in the pants. Nobody can do it but me. But I need other pants-kickers in my life. I need encouragement from others.
     Many thanks for this reminder.
     Insight No. 3 -- It's got to be daily. I can no longer get by with a Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday workout routine. I need to work out every single day of the week (excluding a Sabbath rest). I've got to do it.
    I am not there yet, but I thank God for gains made so far. I am not sure how much weight I have lost, and for now, it's truly not the most important thing.
   

No Fitness Promises for This Guy

     I know I should exercise daily, and when I exercise, I actually like it.
     But for the past two years, my level of physical fitness has followed a downward trajectory.
    Now, there have been (recent) times in my life when I have exercised for weeks, even months, and experienced moderate success. I lost 32 pounds a few years ago and could run up to 8.5 miles non-stop. I never reached my goal of running a half-marathon, but I did run the Crazy Cajun 10K in Lake Charles, LA, and a few easy-peasy 5Ks.
     As my level of fitness continues to trend down, down, down, down, I feel a spurt of motivation coming along. It is almost as if I have to hit the bottom before I find the desire to climb back out.
     I do not recommend this approach!
     But now, call it too much falafel or too much schwarma in Israel, I feel a rally coming along. It started with the Ramparts walk in Jerusalem's Old City and with my hike to the top of Masada. It has continued with a few after-dinner walks in the neighborhood and a few trips to the Meullenbeck Fitness Center in Plano.
     Could this be the spurt that will help me shed these 32 pounds (and then some) that I have since re-claimed? Could it be the burn that will lead me back again to a regular running regimine?
     I refuse to say. I refuse even to entertain the "what-if's" down the road. For now, I just need to get my behind into the gym regularly and get a good 4-6 weeks of routine on the books. Only then will I allow myself to start saying "I'll do this" or "I'll do that."
     For now, I make no commitments, no promises, and claim no victory, so please don't hold me to anything!
     My only prayer is that God give me the desire, day-by-day, to get it done.
     With Christ, all things are possible.

Last Night in Jerusalem

     Well, it is time to pack up our belongings and head back home to good ole' Texas.

     The journey has been so full of emotion and meaning, and it is hard to put into words all that I think and feel at this point in time. Anne, Amy, and I will share our reflections next Wednesday, March 14, as part of our Lenten dinner program at GPC, so I guess we have a few days to put this jumble of thoughts and emotions to words.

     Today was more on the emotional side than anything. We visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum here in Jerusalem, so you can imagine how that might impact a person.

     What struck me most is the thought of husbands torn from wives, and children separated from parents. In a literal flash, whole families were ripped apart, never to see each other again. I can only imagine what it is like to lose my wife or children in a flash.

     It happens. Maybe not in something as big as the Holocaust, but we can lose loved ones in a flash. Each moment is precious.

     I also think about if my children (or their whole generation, for that matter) properly understand things like the Holocaust. We can't take it for granted that the next generation "gets it." I think I might need to plan a trip the Holocaust Museum in D.C. the next time we go to visit Grandma, at least for the oldest two.

     We wrapped up the evening listening to a world class harp/guitar/folk musician play all types of ballads and I was tearing up like a baby.

     I'm a mess today. Probably just miss the family.

     On an up note, we descended into Hezekiah's Cave. This is where King Hezekiah had his men dig a tunnel from opposite ends to redirect water to inside the city gates (during Assyrian invasion). 

     We were right there, where pick axes did their work 2,700 years ago.

     Tomorrow we visit the Garden Tomb (a possible location for Jesus' burial), the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, and then head for Tel Aviv.

     See ya'll when we see ya'll.

Made it to the Top of Masada

OK. This is Masada. You can faintly see
the Snake Path winding up the side
of the mountain. It is 700 steps, and about
1,000 feet, to the top. I climbed that bad boy
today.

Floating in the Dead Sea. Good times.

Ramparts walk was a continuous flow
of narrow walls and occasional lookouts
over the Old City wall.

     After the last two days, I am just about out of gas.
     Monday was our free day, and six of us decided to walk the ramparts of the Old City wall. The wall to the Old City is basically from the Crusader era (12th century); only the base of some sections of the wall contain stones (Herodian stones) from the days of Jesus.
     It had a medieval castle vibe to it, complete with narrow slits in the watchtowers for archers. For $5, we walked the entire perimeter of Old City Jerusalem from about 25 feet in the air.
     It gave a different perspective of things, for sure, and it was quite a workout.
     Speaking of workouts, I hiked to the top of Masada today. The rest of the crew took the cable car to the top, but for my second visit to Masada I wanted to conquer the Snake Path to the top. Not sure how many feet it was -- probably a million or something. All I know is that toward the end of the climb I had to stop about every 30-40 yards.
    I'm not gonna lie. It rocked my world.
    The entire climb took me about 45 minutes. Many thanks to the group of Australian students who gave me high-fives just about the time I was going to drop from exhaustion.
     After the Masada climb, we headed back to the Dead Sea for some flotation.
     I'll be honest, the Dead Sea never gets old. I was thinking about skipping the whole changing-into-my-bathing-suit, walking-across-painful-pebbles thing and just watch the group swim.
     I'm glad I didn't. It is a lot of fun. I even went Braveheart with a few of my traveling buds with some of the mineral-rich mud. We slathered it all over our faces and chests like a bunch of crazed Scottish highlanders.
     Right now, I am absolutely whipped. Time for bed.
     Two more days before we head home. Tomorrow we go to the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem and then go to King David's Palace, where get to go underground and explore.
     Not looking forward to the flight home, but it's all part of it, I guess.

The Ramparts crew

I Have Not Been Type-Casted After All

     The highlight of today was visiting Neot Kedumim. It is a biblical landscape preserve that also has a Torah scribe on staff. The founders of this reserve have a passion for the Scriptures and preserving all species of flora and fauna that are named in the Bible.

     Since the weather was still very much wet and cold today, we went inside to learn about the work of a scribe, from how to make ink to how to cover mistakes. It takes about one year for a scribe to copy the entire Five Books of Moses.
     One thing I learned: As a Torah scribe, you DO NOT want to mess up the name of God. In fact, when it comes time for this scribe to write the name of God, he first pauses, puts down his writing implement, and prays.
     He says he makes writing errors every day, but has NEVER messed up the name of God.
     There is a lesson in here somewhere about reverence and intentionality.

     After Neot Kedumim, we journeyed to Valley of Elah, the site where David squared off against Goliath. There are "degrees of probability" that each of the sites we visit are the actual sites identified in Scripture. It is a certainty that the place where the David-Goliath battle occurred is within 500 yards of where we stood today. We marked the occasion with a re-enactment, with members of our tour group playing various roles.

     For ONCE in my life, I was NOT picked as Goliath. I was certain that I had been type-casted into this role for life, but apparently not.

     Tomorrow is a free day. I think I will pay $5 to walk around the ramparts of the Old City Walls. You can apparently walk the entire perimeter and get a bird's eye view of things.

     Sounds pretty cool.

     Missing the family pretty bad. We are past the half-way part of the journey. Tomorrow is definitely a laundry day, if I am gonna make it the next few days.

     Still on our agenda: Masada, the Dead Sea, Qumran, the Jewish Quarter, and a few other places.

     We held a Lord's Day worship service this morning at the hotel. We prayed for each of our congregations. As pastors, we are extremely grateful to serve congregations that continue the work even when its pastors are away.

     At Grace, of course, Pastor Bryan and I work together, and for that, I am grateful.

A Torah scribe demonstrates his craft. Amazing!

Our tour guide, Mike, prepares Russell (a pastor in Harrisburg)
and Amy for their roles in the big David vs. Goliath drama
Sunday afternoon in the Valley of Elah.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Tomb of Jesus).

A Beautiful Stations of the Cross mosaic
inside of the Holy Sepulcher.

First Day in the Old City

     We finally made it to the Old City this morning. We visited the Holy Sepulcher (where Jesus is believed to have been buried) and the Pools of Bethesda (John 5).
     I am not much on marble and brass at these holy sites. People wait in long lines only to come before a painted icon or a shiny grotto that marks a significant site. I do not stand in judgment of these people. For me, however, it is the gift of storytelling (inspired by the Holy Spirit) that transports me to new heights.
     Don't get me wrong. There are some magnificent sanctuaries, mosaics, and structures to behold, but the most impacting moments come when I stand at a holy site and our guide paints a vivid, word picture of its history and significance.
     In the afternoon, because of the cold and rain, we visited the Israel Museum. Of particular interest here were the Dead Sea Scrolls.
     Tomorrow morning we begin the day with our Lord's Day worship service, led by the 5-6 pastors on this trip. We then return to the City of Jerusalem.
     We will be praying for drier weather and warmer temperatures.

Bringing our A-game to Bethlehem

     The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was a bit intense today, and not entirely for spiritual reasons.

    There was a church group from Ecuador waiting in line behind us inside of the Sanctuary. They were a very friendly bunch, and had a much easier time fitting through the church entrance than I did. They were all no bigger than 5-3, and fascinated by my height.

     We were all nice and chatty with our Latin American friends for the first 45 minutes of the wait, but as it drew near to closing time for the grotto, things got a little pushy. These little 5-3 men and women transformed into defensive linemen, pressing down upon us as we descended a steep set of stairs.

     My training as a basketball player came in handy, as I boxed them out and kept them from cutting in line. And before it was all said and done, our team from Pennsylvania and Texas made safe passage to the holy site.

     They meant no harm. They were just a little anxious to see the site, I guess. It was a comical sidebar to a very meaningful afternoon.

     In other news, it did snow in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It hasn't snowed here in three years, according to Schmoolik, our bus driver.
     Incredible to experience snow in Jerusalem. There was much excitement in the hotel this morning.

     Finally, we spent a good hour or two bonding as a group. We each had an opportunity to share our stories, as we continue to develop new friendships with each other. As it turns out, we have five English teachers (current or retired) in our group and about four church musicians. There are four Presbyterian congregations represented on this trip and one congregation from the Brethren in Christ tradition.

     You can tell that the Holy Spirit is at work among us.

     Praise the Lord!

     

Sure enough, it snowed in Jerusalem,
and even into the afternoon in Bethlehem.
Amy and I pause to document the occasion.

Our crew creeps slowly down the steps and into the cave
to see the purported site where Jesus was born. A crowd presses
in behind us.

Entrance to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem,
about 4 feet high by 2 1/2 feet wide.

A panoramic view of Bethlehem.

Let it Snow? Last Day in Galilee, Arrival in Jerusalem

     We concluded our time in the Galilee today with more cold, wet temperatures. In fact, 10 inches of snow fell last night in the Golan Heights, just a few hours after we had left the region and returned to our kibbutz.
     It is actually supposed to snow tonight in Jerusalem and drop to 32 degrees.
     This is not the Israel we are familiar with, and even natives do not see snow in Jerusalem but every few years. I will let you know if we awaken to snowball fights and snow shoes :)
     Another thing that seems unusual to me: Israel is quite hilly and mountainous. Now, I remember Jerusalem (of course) as being quite high in elevation, and places like the Golan Heights and Nazareth. But as we took the two-hour journey south from Galilee to the Holy City this afternoon, it was nothing but hills/mountains.
     Jesus and his disciples must have had the legs of soccer players, as they walked around Galilee and made the trek north-south from Galilee-Jerusalem. They obviously followed well-traveled routes that cut between the mountains, but these are no easy trips to take in a bus, let alone on foot.
     The highlight today, no doubt, was our visit to the Jordan River. Two in our group were baptized. The rest of us renewed our baptismal vows with water from the Jordan. It was my honor to renew the baptismal vows of my pastor, Bill Harter.
     This was a strange but powerful experience. Bill is "just another guy" -- just another follower of Jesus in need of renewal. And yet, he is also the man who baptized two of my children, and he has been a strong spiritual leader in my life for years. And so, it is strange to have the roles reversed and have me pronounce a blessing on him!
     I'll remember it fondly for years.
     I am excited to hear that we have so many from Grace Presbyterian Church-Plano, attending North Texas Pilgrimage this weekend. Amy, Anne, and I will keep the pilgrims and staff in our prayers, as dozens renew their faith in Christ.
     I'm sure I speak for Anne and Amy, our friends Julie and Dave (from Baton Rouge), and the 35 others in our tour group when I say we miss friends and family. My prayers are with Max and Ben as they get braces today, and of course, Kim.

A special moment at the Jordan River.

These yellow signs on the Golan
Heights indicate leftover mine fields
from the 1967 war with Syria.

Pastor Lloyd receiving a blessing
at the Jordan River this morning.

A spring at Caesarea Philippi is one of
the three sources of the Jordan River.

Caesarea Philippi, the Syrian Border, and Tel Dan

     The rain is coming down and it is cold (40's), and yet the day has not been a throwaway.

     The highlight was driving to the Syrian border on the Golan heights, and realizing we were only 25 MILES!!! from Damascus. While the news we see regarding Syria has not currently advanced to Syria, it still gives me pause to think of how close we are to the heart of that troubled country. We could also see a Lebanese village or two on some Golan Heights hillsides.

     I was disappointed that rain prevented us from exploring Tel Dan. This is the second time I had to settle for a view of Dan from the tour bus. 

     At Dan, there is a gateway that dates back to 1900 BC. It is entirely probable that Abraham (when he pursued the kidnappers of Lot) came through this very gate. Dan is also mentioned in Judges 18, when the descendants of Dan finally take the inheritance promised to them in the conquest of Canaan (spoken of in Joshua).

     Caesarea Philippi was very cool, even though I had visited this site before. It is home to natural springs that serve as one of the three sources of the Jordan River. It is also a place that Jesus and his disciples visited ("You are Peter, and on this rock ...").

     I am ready for Jerusalem. The last time I visited Israel, I only had a day or two to spend in the City. Looking forward to exploring Jerusalem and taking it all in.

     Missing the family, of course. I have had more than enough time to reflect upon life and calling. The conclusion: I am happy and blessed. I do not feel worthy of the blessings that God has given me (a wonderful family, a great congregation, great opportunities, the list goes on...)

     Thank you God, for choosing to bless me. Give me a grateful heart that continually returns thanks to you, my Lord and my Savior.

Mount of Beatitudes, Sea of Galilee, and pictures!

     We walked in the footsteps of Jesus today, no doubt.

     According to our tour guide, when Jesus entered the Village of Bethsaida, he would have crossed the same stones that we stepped on. The path, which is only 5 feet wide, was the main entrance to the fishing village of Bethsaida, where Simon, Andrew, and Philip lived. 

     Kind of cool that Jesus' footsteps can be narrowed to a matter of a few feet.

     We also visited the Mount of Beatitudes, sailed across the Sea of Galilee in a "Galilee Boat," ate Saint Peter fish, and explored Capernaum. One of the pastors on our trip had committed the entire Sermon on the Mount to memory and delivered a portion of it in an outside sanctuary atop the Mount of Beatitudes. Very different hearing it from someone who is not reading it out of the Bible and adds a touch of drama.
     We also witnessed the Sea of Galilee go from a tranquil surface to white-cap waves in the matter of three hours. As the storm front moved in, winds picked up something fierce.
     Tomorrow it is off to Tel Dan and the Golan Heights, before we venture south and make the climb to Jerusalem.

     Temperatures have been rather cool, probably in the 50s. There is still the threat of rain over the next two days.

     I finally found the USB device that allows me to upload photos off my digital camera's memory stick. Enjoy!

   We appreciate everyone's prayers.

The steps that Jesus walked, in Village
of Bethsaida.

Me on the Galilee Boat

Our crew from LA and TX in the theater at Caesarea.

Without a doubt, the hippodrome in Caesarea was my

favorite site so far. Think chariot races in the movie

Ben Hur.

Caesarea Coast

Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, and a Minor Setback

     I will start first with the minor setback. As I was unpacking last night and preparing my day pack, I discovered there was no memory stick in my digital camera.
     Oops.
     Fortunately, I was able to borrow one, and so I a haven't missed a snap with my camera. On the other hand, I can't download any pics yet for this blog until I can purchase a little gizmo to transfer pics from the memory stick to my laptop. This is a boring way to start the blog, but I thought I'd explain why I haven't uploaded any photos yet.
     Caesarea was incredible. We were a stone's throw from where Paul came before Governor Felix (Acts 23-24) before he was sent to Rome for trial (and ultimately martyrdom). It is also the place where the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Gentiles for likely the very first time (Acts 10). Peter, following his vision on the rooftop, was invited by the Roman centurion Cornelius to come and preach the Gospel in Caesarea. As Peter was still preaching the Gospel message to Gentiles here, "The Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message."
    Mount Carmel was equally incredible, more for the view of the Valley of Jezreel than anything else. Mt. Carmel is the place where Elijah faced off against the 450 priests of Ba'al, as recorded in the closing chapters of I Kings. From atop the Carmelite monastery on Mount Carmel, you could see in every direction over the valley of Armegeddon.
     We concluded the day by walking through some 3rd century Jewish catacombs at Bet She'arim, and are now kicking back at a kibbutz in the Upper Galilee.
     We are somewhat out of luck at this kibbutz, because they will not take U.S. Dollars, but we will press on.
     That's it for the first day of touring. Tomorrow we start at the Mount of Beatitudes. There is apparently a 40 percent chance of rain, but I have my poncho, so bring it on...