This morning we began by ascending the Mt. of Olives. This is the place where Yeshua prophesied about the destruction of the temple, explained to His disciples the signs of His coming and of the end of the age, ascended back into heaven, and it is the place where He will stand when He returns to establish His Kingship in Jerusalem. The Mountain overlooks a valley and has a perfect view of the Temple Mount and much of the Old City.
We continued on to the Garden of Gethsamene where Yeshua pleaded with the Father to take the cup from Him if there was any other way. The pressure upon the Son of Man was so intense that as He prayed in this very place he began to sweat blood and needed an angel to strengthen Him that He might pray more earnestly. Despite the intensity of dying for the sins of mankind Yeshua submitted to the will of the Father and now thanks to that decision He made at this place in that moment in time nearly two millennia ago, we can have eternal life.
Next we made our way to the Church of St. Anne's which is dedicated to the preservation of the pool of Bethesda where Yeshua healed the man on the Sabbath, commanding him to take up his mat and walk. We entered in the Church after this and decided to test the acoustics of the high ceilings. This was profound. It felt as if we had entered into heaven and were singing before the Throne of God with the angels. There are also a few women in our group with very anointed voices, one being Sharrae, that made the experience all the more holy.
Following this experience we journeyed to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where many believe Yeshua was raised from the dead. This was a very interesting experience not only because of the significance of the site but to see the competition amongst different sects to own different parts of the Church. The next morning we would return here for Mass which was an incredible experience.
We continued on to another site where other Christians believe it to be the site of the Resurrection. As we browsed through the Garden Tomb the shalom (divine peace) seemed to rest everywhere we went. We had a very knowledgeable and Spirit filled tour guide that reminded us the important issue is not which place Christ was raised from, but that we serve a risen Lord! When we arrived at the tomb where He was believed to have been raised from, we piled into the tomb and some of us began to sing to the Lord. The Presence of God could be readily felt and it was a beautiful moment seeing how the Holy Spirit was ministering to each person individually. Some people were weeping, others had their faces on the ground, others were overcome with reverence, and others just sang to God.
After this we had some time to meander around the Old City and we began to hit the shops and bargaining with the Arabs hardcore. Later that night John Winchester and I returned as I had some unfinished business in finding the right kafiya (Arabic scarves). Once we arrived at the Yafo (Jaffa) Gate I immediately spotted some beautiful unique Saudi kafiyas we hadn't seen anywhere else. John was especially impressed by them being the kafiya expert he is, that he hadn't seen any like this before. After getting our dazzling kafiyas, we had dinner and visited with the owner who was an Israeli Arab Christian and heard some interesting insights and opinions. We then met the rest of our group for a spectacular light show that displayed the history of Jerusalem and its conquerors without any words. There is something very special about this city and the whole world knows it, whether or not they have eyes to see what it is.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Lebanon Border, Jordan River Rafting and Baptisms, and Shabbat in the Old City of Jerusalem
On our third day in the Land of milk and honey we journeyed to the Lebanon border to meet with Israeli soldiers that are defending northern Israel from the terrorist group Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that moved into southern Lebanon following Israel's unilateral withdrawal in 2000. Israel made this move in good faith for peace as they did similarly from the Gaza Strip in 2005 under Ariel Sharon. However, unfortunately in both situations Israel was thanked with rocket fire and kidnappings from these terrorist organizations. Under international law Hezbollah should not be in Southern Lebanon nor should they be rearming. Meeting with the soldiers was a very powerful experience for me. Being Jewish and being their same age, I knew that I could just as easily be here with my brothers fighting for the protection of the Homeland. It put a new resilience in me to stand in solidarity with my brothers and speak up on their behalf whenever I am afforded the opportunity.
Following this excursion we headed to the Jordan River to relax and do some rafting. Stephanie, Patrick, Amy, and I formed our team (team fun) and took to the river. Our team had so much fun that no one even wanted to raft. Rather we spent most of our time spinning and gliding down the river, bumping into other rafts, running into forests, singing songs with young Israelis, and reenacting Disney movies. All in all we had a blast and Team Fun had great success.
Our next stop was a baptismal site, Yardenit, on the Keneret (Jordan River). Though I had already been baptized I wasn't about to miss an opportunity to be immersed in the place where John the Baptist was baptizing people. This was a very holy moment. Myself and about 20 other students came out dressed in pure white saintly apparel and John and David (our regional directors) began baptizing us. As we waited in line and took in the grandeur of the scenery we began to sing hymns to the Lord such as In Christ Alone and Amazing Grace. Some students began to weep, others rejoiced, others were lost in adoration and worship for our King.
Our next stop was tremendously powerful as well. We met a Jewish man outside the Old City of Jerusalem who gave us some basic history of the city and then escorted us through the walls to one of the most holy sites to Jews in Yisrael: the Western Wall. This was one of the most powerful moments of the entire trip for me. Ever since the exile began in 70 AD, for nearly 2,000 years Jews would return to the last standing wall of the Second Temple and pray and weep and mourn deep within themselves because there no longer was a temple nor a Jewish state. For these two millennia Jews yearned deeply within themselves to once again be wedded to the beloved city of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). We had arrived on the scene on Erev Shabbat so the place was bustling with people continually flowing to the Wall. As I gazed out across this Jewish sea of people I felt a deep connection with many of them. As I was pondering all the different European countries they had been isolated from I couldn't help but recall stories of anti-Semitism my family had faced in Europe. As I looked out at these Jews who had been homeless for so long and now were rightfully in their city I subconsciously within my spirit said "I belong here."On my own I began to approach the Wall and take in the greatness of the moment. For nearly 2,000 years this place had been a place of mourning and deep sadness, but now there was exuberant joy. People all around me were dancing in circles, singing and praying and Hebrew, and worshipping the God of Israel. God truly does take our weeping and turn it into joy. Once I approached the Wall I inquired of the Lord what I should pray. As I put my right hand on the Wall and gazed toward heaven I heard with crystal clear clarity in my spirit to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. As I addressed the Father of spirits and prayed this prayer, the Holy Spirit immediately fell upon me and covered my body.
After the Wall we made our way to a nice Jewish family's house for dinner. We enjoyed great food, great fellowship, and sang many mystical Jewish songs about Shabbat. Everyone got really into the singing and by the end of the dinner we were clapping, stomping our feet on the ground, and singing at the top of our lungs in an unknown language. Hard to beat a Shabbat like that!
Following this excursion we headed to the Jordan River to relax and do some rafting. Stephanie, Patrick, Amy, and I formed our team (team fun) and took to the river. Our team had so much fun that no one even wanted to raft. Rather we spent most of our time spinning and gliding down the river, bumping into other rafts, running into forests, singing songs with young Israelis, and reenacting Disney movies. All in all we had a blast and Team Fun had great success.
Our next stop was a baptismal site, Yardenit, on the Keneret (Jordan River). Though I had already been baptized I wasn't about to miss an opportunity to be immersed in the place where John the Baptist was baptizing people. This was a very holy moment. Myself and about 20 other students came out dressed in pure white saintly apparel and John and David (our regional directors) began baptizing us. As we waited in line and took in the grandeur of the scenery we began to sing hymns to the Lord such as In Christ Alone and Amazing Grace. Some students began to weep, others rejoiced, others were lost in adoration and worship for our King.
Our next stop was tremendously powerful as well. We met a Jewish man outside the Old City of Jerusalem who gave us some basic history of the city and then escorted us through the walls to one of the most holy sites to Jews in Yisrael: the Western Wall. This was one of the most powerful moments of the entire trip for me. Ever since the exile began in 70 AD, for nearly 2,000 years Jews would return to the last standing wall of the Second Temple and pray and weep and mourn deep within themselves because there no longer was a temple nor a Jewish state. For these two millennia Jews yearned deeply within themselves to once again be wedded to the beloved city of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). We had arrived on the scene on Erev Shabbat so the place was bustling with people continually flowing to the Wall. As I gazed out across this Jewish sea of people I felt a deep connection with many of them. As I was pondering all the different European countries they had been isolated from I couldn't help but recall stories of anti-Semitism my family had faced in Europe. As I looked out at these Jews who had been homeless for so long and now were rightfully in their city I subconsciously within my spirit said "I belong here."On my own I began to approach the Wall and take in the greatness of the moment. For nearly 2,000 years this place had been a place of mourning and deep sadness, but now there was exuberant joy. People all around me were dancing in circles, singing and praying and Hebrew, and worshipping the God of Israel. God truly does take our weeping and turn it into joy. Once I approached the Wall I inquired of the Lord what I should pray. As I put my right hand on the Wall and gazed toward heaven I heard with crystal clear clarity in my spirit to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. As I addressed the Father of spirits and prayed this prayer, the Holy Spirit immediately fell upon me and covered my body.
After the Wall we made our way to a nice Jewish family's house for dinner. We enjoyed great food, great fellowship, and sang many mystical Jewish songs about Shabbat. Everyone got really into the singing and by the end of the dinner we were clapping, stomping our feet on the ground, and singing at the top of our lungs in an unknown language. Hard to beat a Shabbat like that!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Day 2 In The Holy Land: Glorious Moments In Time
The following morning we arose early to visit the site where the most powerful and influential oration of human history was given. We arrived at beautiful Basilica Church perched over the Sea of Galilee which is believed to be the site of the Sermon on the Mount. As we read through sections of the great Constitution of Heaven, Avi began to add special emphasis on the verse "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven," (Matthew 5:14,16). Avi reminded us that as Americans these verses hold special significance to us . Our nation was founded by men who were seeking to establish a more just and moral society then what they had witnessed. They also understood Christianity to be the underpinnings of such a society. These verses were very much a part of the early American ethos.
As I sat in the Church pondering the sublimity and Providentiality of the moment the Holy Spirit began to breathe upon the verse, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God," (Matthew 5:9). I felt gripped with destiny and purpose as I pondered the significance of this moment in time. Here I was sitting at the place where the Son of God called for peacemakers in the land most in need of them. I was sitting as an American, as one who has the ability and influence to bring peace between Israeli's and Arabs, pondering the greatness God has for my generation.
Our next stop was another punch full of Divine glory. We stood in the place where the Father of glory revealed the Messianic and Divine identity of His Son to Peter. We were in the very place that since the time of Alexander the great had been held under the bondage of deep darkness. Idolatry, sexual immorality, sorcery, and drunkenness raged here and the people were held captive in fear and anxiety by the Greek god of fear. However, around 31 AD the Messiah showed up on the scene with an agenda of glory and transformation. Not long after His disciples learned of His true identity He took James, John, and Peter up onto a mountain and revealed a portion of His glory to them. Moses and Elijah showed up signify that in Christ Jesus the Law (Moses) and Prophecy (Elijah) are brought together.
To finish this day off we arrived in Caparnaum, a place where sick people came to be healed from hot springs. Since the Messiah came to heal the sick He naturally gravitated toward this place and performed many signs and wonders. We also got to first hand experience and see the place where one of the first house Church's, the house of Peter, existed. The ruins have been preserved and a Church has been built there dedicated to the preservation of this site.
As I sat in the Church pondering the sublimity and Providentiality of the moment the Holy Spirit began to breathe upon the verse, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God," (Matthew 5:9). I felt gripped with destiny and purpose as I pondered the significance of this moment in time. Here I was sitting at the place where the Son of God called for peacemakers in the land most in need of them. I was sitting as an American, as one who has the ability and influence to bring peace between Israeli's and Arabs, pondering the greatness God has for my generation.
Our next stop was another punch full of Divine glory. We stood in the place where the Father of glory revealed the Messianic and Divine identity of His Son to Peter. We were in the very place that since the time of Alexander the great had been held under the bondage of deep darkness. Idolatry, sexual immorality, sorcery, and drunkenness raged here and the people were held captive in fear and anxiety by the Greek god of fear. However, around 31 AD the Messiah showed up on the scene with an agenda of glory and transformation. Not long after His disciples learned of His true identity He took James, John, and Peter up onto a mountain and revealed a portion of His glory to them. Moses and Elijah showed up signify that in Christ Jesus the Law (Moses) and Prophecy (Elijah) are brought together.
To finish this day off we arrived in Caparnaum, a place where sick people came to be healed from hot springs. Since the Messiah came to heal the sick He naturally gravitated toward this place and performed many signs and wonders. We also got to first hand experience and see the place where one of the first house Church's, the house of Peter, existed. The ruins have been preserved and a Church has been built there dedicated to the preservation of this site.
Day One In The Holy Land
Upon arrival in Ha'Aretz Yisrael, it was as if the Land were saying Boker Tov (good morning) to us. We arrived at our first place of adventure and were welcomed by hospitable Israeli's and phenomenal Israeli breakfast. At the table I sat with we immediately got to engage with Israelis while enjoying their food and speak some Hebrew. This was a great first cultural exchange.
We then journeyed into a Biblical historical site near the Green Line where we had to learn how to herd sheep and goats. Our group was somewhat successful until the goats were scorched by the imaginary fire we were suppose to keep them out of. After herding our Jewish tour guide and one of the students from our group planted a plant together in the land. I found this to be profoundly powerful. A Jewish man saying a Hebrew blessing and Christians planting the seed in order to fulfill prophecy by 'making the desert bloom.' It was also an amazing picture of the unity and brotherhood that is forming between Christians and Jews that was largely absent for thousands of years.
We then journeyed to the region of Caesarea, which was the Roman capitol of Israel. It was very powerful standing in the very place where Yeshua (Jesus) was judged by Pontius Pilate looking out of the Mediterranean Sea.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Holy Land is no ordinary place.
We then journeyed into a Biblical historical site near the Green Line where we had to learn how to herd sheep and goats. Our group was somewhat successful until the goats were scorched by the imaginary fire we were suppose to keep them out of. After herding our Jewish tour guide and one of the students from our group planted a plant together in the land. I found this to be profoundly powerful. A Jewish man saying a Hebrew blessing and Christians planting the seed in order to fulfill prophecy by 'making the desert bloom.' It was also an amazing picture of the unity and brotherhood that is forming between Christians and Jews that was largely absent for thousands of years.
We then journeyed to the region of Caesarea, which was the Roman capitol of Israel. It was very powerful standing in the very place where Yeshua (Jesus) was judged by Pontius Pilate looking out of the Mediterranean Sea.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Holy Land is no ordinary place.
Foundations of Christian Zionism, First Night In Newark and Myths Debunked
"For Zion's Sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shine out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch." - Isaiah 62:1
The purpose of this blog is to recount the incredible experiences of Providential proportions I embarked upon bah'Artez Yisrael (In the Land of Israel). I hope and pray that through this blog you would not only be blessed, but you would experience what I did and come to know and taste what are the heights and depths and lengths and width of the God's heart toward Israel.
This first statement may come as a completely shock to some or as a 'no duh' fact to others, yet it must be said anyways: when the Word of God says Israel He means Israel. When the Bible says Jerusalem God means Jerusalem. Now we all know that through the death and resurrection of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Jesus Christ) the Gentiles have the same access to the promises and blessings God gave to the children of Israel. However, God made a special eternal covenant between Himself and the Jewish people to give them the Land of Israel forever (Genesis 17:8). God has called His people to stand with Israel Jews and Gentiles and has promised to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her. After reading the Bible and walking with the Lord a few years and having amazing experiences like this CUFI trip, it has become clear to me that Israel is at the epicenter of the heart of God.
Our first night began with a meet and greet dinner where we hopped straight into advocacy. CUFI's Jewish Executive Director, David Brog, proceeded to clearly and eloquently demolish the lies that our world is bombarded with by the media on a regular basis. Israel's enemies love to blurt simple preposterous lies to catch pro-Israel advocates of guard.
Israel created a Palestinian refugee problem when it drove Palestinians from their homes in 1948.
Fact: 7 Arab nations with advanced Soviet weaponry invaded the new born state of Israel immediately after Israel declared her independence. The highly disadvantaged Jewish state was able to push back its foes and in the process it had to drive some Arabs from their homes in order to establish strategic areas of defense from the continual invasion. However, most Arabs left the land because the 7 invaders had promised to drive Israel into the sea and give them all of the land. To their dismay they were not successful.
If there were no Occupation in the West Bank there would be peace and no terrorist problem.
Fact: Terrorism against Jews existed before the Jewish state had been reborn. Additionally, during the Camp David peace process in 2000 then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered the Palestinians all of the Gaza Strip, 94% of the West Bank (Judea and Samria, the heart of Biblical Jewish civilization), and half of Jerusalem to build their state and Israeli troops completely withdrew from the West Bank and Gaza. Israel may have offered more had it perceived that her security needs would be adequately addressed. However, how was Israel thanked for this most generous offer? With the Second Intifada. Palestinian suicide bombers began to bombard shopping centers, restaurants, night clubs, and many other densely populated areas. It wasn't until 1,000 innocent Israeli civilians had been killed that IDF troops went back into Gaza and the West Bank to protect their population.
Terrorists hate the U.S. because we support Israel
Fact: In 1996 and 1998 Osama Bin Laden issues two separate fatwas toward America. In the first he calls the greatest 'agression' toward Islam since the time of the prophet being U.S. and Ally forces stationed in Saudi Arabia near the two holiest sites of Islam (Osama ignores the fact U.S. troops were invited by the royal family to defend them from Sadam during the Gulf War). In his latter fatwa he declares that the U.S. is plundering the riches of Saudi Arabia, humiliating its people, dictating to its leaders, (and the list goes on) and that the infidel Americans must be destroyed. Clearly, the roots of 9/11 cannot be traced to U.S. support for the Jewish State of Israel.
Christian Zionism, meeting awesome like-minded people of God, and effective advocacy sums up day 1.
The purpose of this blog is to recount the incredible experiences of Providential proportions I embarked upon bah'Artez Yisrael (In the Land of Israel). I hope and pray that through this blog you would not only be blessed, but you would experience what I did and come to know and taste what are the heights and depths and lengths and width of the God's heart toward Israel.
This first statement may come as a completely shock to some or as a 'no duh' fact to others, yet it must be said anyways: when the Word of God says Israel He means Israel. When the Bible says Jerusalem God means Jerusalem. Now we all know that through the death and resurrection of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Jesus Christ) the Gentiles have the same access to the promises and blessings God gave to the children of Israel. However, God made a special eternal covenant between Himself and the Jewish people to give them the Land of Israel forever (Genesis 17:8). God has called His people to stand with Israel Jews and Gentiles and has promised to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her. After reading the Bible and walking with the Lord a few years and having amazing experiences like this CUFI trip, it has become clear to me that Israel is at the epicenter of the heart of God.
Our first night began with a meet and greet dinner where we hopped straight into advocacy. CUFI's Jewish Executive Director, David Brog, proceeded to clearly and eloquently demolish the lies that our world is bombarded with by the media on a regular basis. Israel's enemies love to blurt simple preposterous lies to catch pro-Israel advocates of guard.
Israel created a Palestinian refugee problem when it drove Palestinians from their homes in 1948.
Fact: 7 Arab nations with advanced Soviet weaponry invaded the new born state of Israel immediately after Israel declared her independence. The highly disadvantaged Jewish state was able to push back its foes and in the process it had to drive some Arabs from their homes in order to establish strategic areas of defense from the continual invasion. However, most Arabs left the land because the 7 invaders had promised to drive Israel into the sea and give them all of the land. To their dismay they were not successful.
If there were no Occupation in the West Bank there would be peace and no terrorist problem.
Fact: Terrorism against Jews existed before the Jewish state had been reborn. Additionally, during the Camp David peace process in 2000 then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered the Palestinians all of the Gaza Strip, 94% of the West Bank (Judea and Samria, the heart of Biblical Jewish civilization), and half of Jerusalem to build their state and Israeli troops completely withdrew from the West Bank and Gaza. Israel may have offered more had it perceived that her security needs would be adequately addressed. However, how was Israel thanked for this most generous offer? With the Second Intifada. Palestinian suicide bombers began to bombard shopping centers, restaurants, night clubs, and many other densely populated areas. It wasn't until 1,000 innocent Israeli civilians had been killed that IDF troops went back into Gaza and the West Bank to protect their population.
Terrorists hate the U.S. because we support Israel
Fact: In 1996 and 1998 Osama Bin Laden issues two separate fatwas toward America. In the first he calls the greatest 'agression' toward Islam since the time of the prophet being U.S. and Ally forces stationed in Saudi Arabia near the two holiest sites of Islam (Osama ignores the fact U.S. troops were invited by the royal family to defend them from Sadam during the Gulf War). In his latter fatwa he declares that the U.S. is plundering the riches of Saudi Arabia, humiliating its people, dictating to its leaders, (and the list goes on) and that the infidel Americans must be destroyed. Clearly, the roots of 9/11 cannot be traced to U.S. support for the Jewish State of Israel.
Christian Zionism, meeting awesome like-minded people of God, and effective advocacy sums up day 1.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)