Northern Israel

In the fall of 2014, I am leading a tour to Israel. Back in 2010, I made my first pilgrimage there, and I have many fond memories of that trip. In the next few weeks, I want to share with you some of my memories of Israel.
Northern Israel

This map shows the area where spent the first three days of our trip. After some weather-related travel delays, we arrived in Tel Aviv, and drove to the northern part of Israel, also known as Galilee. Our one stop that day was boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.  A beautiful, sunny warm day on the sea and you could just imagine Jesus and His Disciples joining along with us.  The boat ride began with, believe it or not, The Star Spangled Banner, being that we were all Americans.  Then we had a devotion and prayer led by a pastor from one of our tour group.  We then got to meet Daniel, who sails the only Christian tour boat on the sea.  He showed us how they would cast nets into the water in Jesus’ day, but his catch was not so good.  The nets they used were so the scales of the fish would get caught in the net and be pulled in – reason being that in Leviticus, we are told that fish without scales are unclean.

  

    

We saw a 1^st Century boat that was excavated about 30 years ago.  It was found in the mud along the shores of the Sea of Galilee during a year of severe drought.  It was pretty cool to see a boat from Jesus’ day. We drove past the town of Mary Magdalene (Magdala), the location where Jesus cast the demons into the swine, the home town of Peter (Capernaum) and other places.  All of these are around the shore of the sea, as is our hotel.
Our first full day began with an Israeli buffet breakfast including salads, rolls, yogurt, strong coffee and fruit.  It was great to wake each day overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and know this is where Jesus called his disciples to come and follow.     We traveled further north around the Sea of Galilee to Taghba, to the Church of the Multiplication – where Jesus fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.  An old Byzantine Church from the 5^th Century was discovered some 80 years ago, with lovely mosaics in the floor depicting the fish and loaves.  A lovely church, organ music playing, and a beautiful site.
We then traveled southeast to Tel Megiddo (“tel” meaning mount or mound) where some 25 civilizations have inhabited over the past 7000 years.  Each layer (20 layers) were built on top of another, and the rich history from the Egyptians to the Israelis to the current day are wrapped up in this wonderful location.  For history buffs, this is a great place to visit.  To envision the people who lived there, the fortresses they built and the inventions that they created are wonderful to see.  One of the most incredible is an aqueduct system built so the water could be attained from inside the fortress by going down a tunnel to a pool built to gather the water from the springs.  We traveled down a couple hundred steps to get to the base, and were amazed at how this system was created some 3000 years ago!

Tel Megiddo is the location mentioned in Revelation 16 where the last great battle on earth will occur – the great battle where all soldiers will be killed and the valley will be filled with their blood – Armageddon comes from the Hebrew word for Tel Megiddo (Har Megiddo).  The valley is HUGE – and to envision this area from the Tel was quite moving.

On the road we passed by Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured on the mountaintop before Peter, James and John, and was joined by Moses and Elijah.  The mountain is quite tall – I imagine the other disciples said, “Too high of a climb for us, we’ll stay down here and wait for you!”  There is a monastery on the top of the mountain that looks out over the valley.

We then headed to Mount Carmel, where the prophet Elijah faced off against the prophets of Baal (450 of them) and won!  Read 1 Kings 19 for that story.  The site from Mount Carmel was incredible – from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee, even to the land of Jordan.  The weather was perfect for that! We then stopped for lunch and had our first Falafel – pita bread with ground chick peas, deep fried, with vegetables and sauce on top – delicious!  What a great lunch.  We sat outside on a patio and enjoyed the warm breezes. 

Our final stop of the day was Nazareth – the little town where Jesus was raised.  A town of some 400 in Jesus’ day, it has now become a bustling city – we spent a good amount of time on the streets of the town during rush hour!  The YMCA in Nazareth has taken over about 6 acres in the middle of town and created a 1^st Century village as it was in Jesus’ day.  They had found some remnants in that area of a wine press and fields that could be from that time.  There were actors and animals, a synagogue they figure to be the size of one in Jesus’ day (remember how the people listened to Jesus in the synagogue and were so moved by his words, they were ready to pitch him off a cliff?), a watchtower, a house, a carpenters shop and other things. 

I had to laugh (remember we were at the YMCA) when the guide said, “Let’s go see the Village People.”  I was expecting men in a police outfit, Indian headgear, a construction worker, etc. – wrong village people!  Our guide, Rani, married a girl from Texas – he was a great guide and did a wonderful job!

Speaking of guides, our guide, Micah, is wonderful.  He has been leading tours for 25 years, and is very knowledgeable, but not speaking over our heads.  Just as wonderful is our driver, Elijah (Eli) – who has taken that bus in places I would be scared to take a Smart Car.  On the way back home to our hotel, we passed the city of Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine.  We could visualize where Jesus walked from Nazareth to Cana to the Sea of Galilee.   

Our second full day, we awoke to the sun rising above the Sea of Galilee. We took a VERY short drive to Yardenit, where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee towards the Dead Sea.  This MAY be the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.  A lovely area has been developed for those who wish to be baptized or affirm their baptism in the Jordan River. Each of the participants are given white robes to wear, and pastors from our group assisted in the service. There are flowers and trees, and the river slowly flowing. It was beautiful!

After spending some time in the gift shop, we got back on the bus and headed to the Roman ruins of Bet Sh’an – ‘Bet’ meaning ‘house of’ and Sh’an is someone’s name.  The city was first built in the 2nd Century AD and had been built up through the 6th Century, when an earthquake in 749 destroyed the city.  At that time, it was a city of some 40,000 people.  Amazing technology was used to create an incredible Roman city.  Bath houses, an amphitheater, hippodrome (horse races) and coliseum, as well as market place, sewer system, homes and roads were expertly created.  It wasn’t till the 1930’s that the city’s remains were discovered, and archeological digs continue to this day.  It was a great site to visit, and we were all in awe of its beauty and size.

Next week, I will share with you some of our experiences in the southern part of Israel, including the Dead Sea and Masada.If you are interested in joining me on this tour, let me know and I will get more information to you.

Peace
Pastor Charlie

Israel - the Trip of A Lifetime

Back in March 2010, my wife and I took the trip of a lifetime - Israel! I had always dreamed of going to the Holy Land, but there were always reasons NOT to go. Some of those reasons were the cost, safety concerns, kids at home and schedules that were too full. I also wasn't sure how to go about coordinating a trip like this, so I put it off.

When I was at camp a few summers ago, I talked with a colleague and dear friend who has made the pilgrimage nine times during his ministry. He encouraged me to give it a try, and connected me with the tour group he had used every time. The ball was rolling, and things fell in to place, and we finally made it to Israel.

For me, the greatest part of it all was experiencing the places where Jesus walked, as well as the tribes of Israel, Peter and Paul, and so many more. The rich history is overwhelming, and the sites are spectacular. The scripture came alive for me in seeing the walls of Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Dead Sea and so much more. Every day was a new adventure. So many memories, and so many pictures!

In the coming weeks (my entries here for August), I want to share some of those memories with you. I will add some pictures as well, so you can get a glimpse of what we saw. I will share with you our journeys in the rolling hills and farmland of northern Israel, the deserted wilderness of the area around the Dead Sea, and the splendor of Jerusalem, old and new.

I have an ulterior motive here - I plan to go again, and I encourage you to consider joining me. A journey to the Holy Land is a spiritual Pilgrimage that every Christian should make at least once in a lifetime.  There the Bible comes alive with names and events we have been hearing about all our lives.  It brings a new richness as we walk where Jesus walked. And to share this spiritual experience with others is an even more enriching indeed.  It creates a unique fellowship.  It is a journey that is to be treasured forever.

The trip is scheduled for October 28th through November 6, 2014.

Questions you may ask:
Is it safe?
I was surprised how safe it was.  We never felt we were in an unsafe place. I realized after a short time there that this is not a deserted land, but a place where people live and work and play every day. There is plenty of security everywhere you go, and the tour guides are in constant communications with the Israeli officials, so any areas that are of concern are avoided.

Is there a lot of walking?
I am not going to lie - there is a good bit of walking, but I never felt exhausted or overly strained when we finished each day.

What do I need to travel to Israel?
A passport is needed. No other documents, no additional shots, etc. There are plenty of stores to buy whatever you might forget. A water bottle is a must, so you don't get dehydrated. 

How long of a flight is it?
The flight from New York is about 10 hours.

Will we be with other groups?
Most likely we will. This was a joy on our trip to meet people from other parts of the country who are members of various denominations.

Who will lead the tour?
The tour group I will be using is called Nawas Travel. Many of my colleagues have used this group with great success. We will have a local guide who is licensed by Israel to serve as a guide.

What is the weather like?
A bit warmer than we have here in early November. Depending on where we are traveling, the temperature can vary from low 60's to mid 80's.

What is the food like?
Very good - a lot of fresh produce. There will be many opportunities to try the local fare, as well as our fix of Western food as well.  Breakfast and Dinner is provided each day as part of the tour. 

Do they speak English in Israel?
Yes. Although it is not their first language, we had no trouble with language barriers.

How well do I need to know my Bible?
Not to worry. Whether you are a Bible scholar or don't know where you last put your Bible, you will be just fine. I plan to lead some Bible studies before we go to prepare the group for the trip.

If you are interested in finding out more about the trip, let me know and I will forward information to you.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Anniversaries

On Sunday, August 4th, we will celebrate our daughter and son-in-law's first wedding anniversary. Lisa and I were talking about how busy things were last year at this time as we were getting ready for the big event! There were meals and transportation and hotels to coordinate for family and friends, tuxes and dresses to pick up and try on, details with the wedding ceremony, vendors to contact and a house to clean and so much more. It was a great event, and we cherish the memories of that day. We give thanks for the love Bethany and Brad have found in each other, and how God has blessed them as a couple, now joined as one.







We will be celebrating another anniversary on Sunday - Lisa and I were married 29 years ago on 08/04/84. I figured that would be a date I wouldn't easily forget! While the memories are not as fresh in my mind as Bethany and Brad's wedding, I remember that day fondly. I look back at those pictures and realize more and more how young we were, and quickly the years have passed.



Anniversaries are great opportunities to remember and rejoice. But anniversaries mark just one day on a lifelong journey. The time and energy and cost (ah yes, the cost) that go into such an event are daunting, to say the least. But it is just one day. I believe the joy we find in anniversaries are much greater when the results of the event have brought us happiness and wholeness over the years since the event.

I give thanks for the 29 years my wife and I have had as husband and wife, and hope and pray my children will find happiness and wholeness in their lives too. I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries on the day we share with our kids. And I am confident Bethany and Brad won't forget our anniversary date either!

It is not so much the events in life, but the journey that make life meaningful and complete. That is what I shared with Bethany and Brad on their wedding day. Enjoy the journey, and may God continue to bless us along the way!

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

God's Promise

 It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Ephesians 1:11-12 – the Message)

God made you to be in a relationship with him and he was prepared to do anything to preserve and restore that relationship if need be - even if it meant letting his Son, Jesus, suffer and die for you. He makes us a new creation. He says, ‘Long before you were even a "twinkle in my eye", I made sure through Jesus that you would always be in my eye, in my love, living as my child. Always. I planned that first. And then I made everything else.’

You were not a footnote to whatever year you were born. Your birth into this world was a great day of celebration for God. At that moment the one he had planned since before the creation of the world—you—came into the creation he had prepared for you. When a new baby is born this isn’t an afterthought on God's part. He might have waited thousands of years (and we think nine months is a long time to wait) but that new life is all part of God's eternal plan.

This whole concept is mind bending in the least. It is an attempt at seeing God’s plans for us and all creation from a distance. I know we can’t do this to any great extent – certainly not see the big picture as God does. But it does help to know that in spite of all the disasters that might hit us and the world around us, these things are not outside his control. In view of the big picture of things he can use all this to bring blessing and a stronger relationship with him.

You and I are always first in God's eyes. Paul makes it quite plain to his Ephesian friends that even before the world was created God placed us in a relationship with him because of his love for us. Because of ‘his glorious grace’ he was ready to do whatever was needed to rebuild his relationship with each one of us. As far as God is concerned, you are number one.

A reminder of this fact is our baptism. This past Sunday, we gathered around the baptismal font and celebrated the baptism of Grayson, just six months old. There is nothing I enjoy more than a baptism, for in that moment, we get a glimpse of the gift of pure grace, and the promise of God's unconditional love. 
God marks us with Jesus’ cross in our baptism. God gives us his name in our baptism and publicly declares, "Long before you entered this world, I planned you as mine, and then I made the world, and the family, and the community to place you in.
But you have failed? Your sin has mucked up my plans.
I forgive you. I forgive you.
I love you now in the same way I loved you before the world was created and always will love you.
When you live in a way that reflects my love and my goodness, that is me, my Spirit, working in you. Your goodness doesn't earn you any special place in my plans. It is my Spirit strengthening and guiding you to be the person whom I always planned you to be!"


It’s all a matter of perspective. Three people were visiting and viewing the Grand Canyon - an artist, a pastor, and a cowboy. As they stood on the edge of that massive geological marvel, each one responded with a cry of exclamation.

The artist said, "Ah, what a beautiful scene to paint!"
The minister cried, "What a beautiful example of the handiwork of God!"
The cowboy mused, "What a terrible place to lose a cow!"


The cowboy could only see the problems the Grand Canyon placed in front of him. Sometimes we are the same. It’s easy to be a pessimist.


Look at the bigger picture and see the beauty of his love, his never-ending faithfulness, his forgiveness, and total commitment to each of us. 

Every now and then we have to step back and look at the bigger picture. In the whirl of daily living and the many problems and issues that confront us and challenge our self-worth we need to step back and look at where we fit into God’s plan.


Step back for a moment and remind yourself that you were planned by God before the creation of the world. His love for you has never wavered. And as we look at the cross we see that same commitment to each of us today as back then.

Some people talk about ‘destiny’ or ‘fate’ or ‘good luck’ or ‘bad luck’ as if things happen in our lives randomly without any order. It’s as if things just happen. It’s as if there was no controlling power. It’s like reading ‘Your week by the stars’ in the paper and saying that things happen because your star sign says they will. That is so far from what God says to us through the Scriptures. Paul does talk about ‘destiny’. Our destiny as God’s own dear children is to walk with Jesus, to enjoy his grace and forgiveness, and finally enter our eternal home in heaven. There is nothing left to good luck or chance here. God has made sure of this through the death and resurrection Jesus. We have the power and love of God at our disposal.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

(excerpts for this week's blog from a sermon by Pastor Vince Gerhardy)

Rejoicing Together

God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.  (I Corinthians 12:24-26, New Revised Standard Version)

We as a church do a very good job of praying for each other in times of need. Our prayer chain is full of names and concerns of people who have are hurting, suffering, and mourning. We place our cares and concerns at the foot of the cross, asking for God to provide comforting, healing and wholeness, and seek God’s direction for how we can be of help to those in need. I believe it is good for us to do so. Even if it may seem at times our prayers go unanswered, or the answers we get are not what we want to hear, we place what is on our hearts before God, for there is comfort in knowing God is with us, and those for whom we pray. And I believe God does hear our prayers, and answers our prayers. I also know that there is great comfort and power in knowing that others are praying for you. And I do believe God still works miracles (ever see the birth of a child?). If it is on your heart, lift it up to God. As St. Paul writes to the church in Corinth, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it.”

We do good job of praying for those in need. But how often are our prayers filled with prayers of thanksgiving and rejoicing. In the passage above, St. Paul says if one member of the church (the body of Christ) is honored, all rejoice together with it. I remember a time a few years ago when we had several prayer requests before the congregation I served of people who were hurting. It seemed as if every day there was another concern to share. As we were sending out another round of prayer requests, I received word that two members of the congregation, John and Betty, were engaged. The two had both lost their spouses years before to illness, and had been living alone for quite some time. They were both active in the church, and everyone knew them well. I asked that we put this good news on the prayer chain immediately. How important it is to share in the suffering, but also to share in the rejoicing.

Soon after we started the prayer chain for John and Betty, I received a call from a member of the church. She thought it was a joke, and refused to pass the message along until she was sure it was true. You see, John always served as an usher at church, and during the service, he would wander the building to make sure no one came in to steal a purse or a coat. Betty, on the other hand, sat in the third pew every Sunday and took copious notes of the sermon. The two were never seen together, and no one in the church even knew they were dating! Talk about your miracles! Well, I assured the member that the rumor was true, and that in the midst of all the suffering, this was good news to share.

John and Betty were married and had many blessed years together. And with John and Betty, we rejoiced!

If it is on your heart, lift it to God, and may we live our lives in community, bearing one another’s sorrows, and celebrating in each other’s joys!

A different translation (paraphrase) of the passage:

The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.  (I Corinthians 12:25-26, The Message)

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Variations on a Theme

Music is a wonderful gift that can be shared in many different ways. In the summer musical at Epiphany, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" this is played out. In telling the story of Joseph and his 11 brothers, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice use a variety of musical styles -there is rock, calypso, western and even some "Charleston" thrown in for good measure! I have been listening to the music of the show a lot the past few weeks as my wife, Lisa is one of the band members, so she has been practicing for weeks at home, and I have stopped in at a few rehearsals to see things progress. The music is great, the message is solid and the show is a lot of fun. You don't want to miss it!

(I wanted to make sure I got in one more shameless promotion for the show!)

The same message can be shared differently through some variations on the theme. I thought I would make this a musical montage this week with an example of this using the song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." For many of us, the first time we heard this was in the 1939 movie "Wizard of Oz" (the same year "Gone with the Wind" was released). Here is Judy Garland and Toto too! We grew up with this song, sang it in school music classes, and it was one of those songs everyone knew.

In the 1990s, a Hawaiian singer by the name of Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole' redorded a version of the song. I remember first hearing it on a TV commercial. In doing some research, I have found that this version of the song has been used in dozens of commercials. Because of this song, I purchased other songs by this artist. Here is his version. I am sure it will sound familiar.

A couple years ago, in preparing a slideshow for a friend's funeral, a family member gave me a recording of the song done by Eva Cassidy. I had never heard of this artist before, but when I heard this voice, I knew I wanted to hear more. 

Judy Garland, Eva Cassidy and Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole have all passed away, but their music lives on.

One final entry into this montage is by a favorite group of mine, The Piano Guys. As a former cello player, I love to listen and to watch these guys play their instruments, and where they find places to play them.  

Thank God for the gift of music. There are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit!

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Freedom

Happy 4th!

This week we will celebrate our nation's 237th birthday with parades, food and fireworks and more, celebrating that we live in the land of the free. We give thanks for all who have made this freedom possible. I will join many in giving thanks this holiday for those who have given so that we might have this freedom. I will especially remember my Dad who served in the Navy in World War II. In honor of him, the Naval Hymn.

As baptized children of God, we are given the gift of freedom through God's great love for us. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (John 3:16).

I encourage you this Independence Day to celebrate the freedom God has given us through Jesus Christ.  For Freedom, Christ has set us Free! (Galatians 5:1).

Peace,

Pastor Charlie