Our journey began Sunday, June 17 … where else, but in church. This is where the planning began, and where our group is from. We left the church parking lot on the church bus at 3:00 p.m. (I want to thank Don Gullett for driving us) for our trip to the airport, and our 5:50 flight to Philadelphia to meet our tour leader John Delancey and the tour group.
Our flight to Israel left at 9:15 p.m. We were served dinner, then the blinds were closed and we were encouraged to sleep. During that time we did look out the window, and saw New York City, Long Island, Boston, Cape Cod, and Newfoundland. I tried to sleep. It is hard when you are squeezed into a tight space sitting up. I drifted in and out, half an hour here, an hour there (I had a gps tracker in front of me on the plane with the time). I managed to sleep about 5 hours of our 10 hour flight.
I cracked the window after dawn over France. It was green and I enjoyed seeing the farms from 38,000 feet in the air. I looked again, and saw the Mediterranean Sea just south of Rome. It was beautiful. I could not take my eyes off the terrain. The girls looked also, at Naples, the coast, the mountains, and the boot of Italy. We flew over Greece, saw Corinth, then Mount Olympus and the islands of the Aegean Sea.
Then there was Israel. A circle over Lod (Biblical Lydda - Acts 9:38), and the landing at the airport. We walked down the Ramp, and were greeted by a larger than life Mezuzah Passing through immigration, we met our Israeli tour guide Shlomo Ben-Asher.
Then we were off through Tel-Aviv for our first stop in the old city of Joppa. In Joppa we walked the narrow streets of the old city. We saw the supposed home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 9:43). (We were told te buildings dated from the 19th Century). We climbed the steps for a great view of the Mediterranean where we could see Andromeda Rock. We came back out to the plaza where we saw the fountains and the statue of Jonah’s whale.
Returning to our bus, we traveled north to Netanya where we spent the night. Denise & I had a room by the pool on the first floor. Chelsea and Sarah had a room on the 15th floor with a great view. We ate dinner – lots of fresh salads, and then went to the beach for a dip in the sea and an opportunity to collect some interesting rocks.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Israel Day 0 - Is it a Calling
For a many years I did not have the desire to go to Israel. Why was that? Perhaps it was because I did not have the money. Perhaps it was because I did not have the Biblical background to take it in. Perhaps it was just because the calling was not there yet.
Israel has been a part of my life for years. From the beginning of my life I have heard stories about the land. I have studied the Bible. As a boy I planted trees in Israel. I have prayed for the people. I have watched the struggles of the young nation as its boundaries are constantly challenged. I went to school to learn more about the Bible and events in Israel from the beginning of time. I have taught about the people and the land (even making relief maps). But yet, there was not the driving call to go to the land.
About eight years ago watching a video on Israel, the desire did come. I began to see how events and geography are tied together. In a video by Ray Vanderlaan I saw how close Nazareth (Where Jesus grew up), Megiddo (Where the last battle will take place) and Mt. Carmel (Where Elijah challenged the prophets of Jezebel) were actually located. I knew it was time to go and see the land for myself.
I began talking to others from my church who wanted to go. But things were not coming together. Other ministers from the area made several trips to Israel, and I had the opportunity to go. But the time was not yet.
Then a member of the church, Tagg Murn, came and said, I know who should take us to Israel. I followed up by looking at John Delancey and Biblical Israel Tours. I found in John someone who loves the Bible, who loves the land, who has the experience because he has been to the land many times, and a man who loves to teach about what we are seeing and connect the Bible and the land. It was time to go.
John came to Peninsula and told us more about the trip. He gave us two books (a devotional and a book that told us the history, the Bible stories, and the archeological finds from each of the places we would visit), and told us what it would take to go to Israel.
Of course I wanted Denise to go. Chelsea and Sarah wanted to go also. The Lord helped us find the money to go to Israel, and we signed up. We also began asking people to go with us. Tagg and Lisa came. Good friends Michael and Inae Parrish joined us. Kenny and Todd Fields also came on the trip. Nancy Rogers, a friend of Denise’s parents who we have known for years came from Great Bend. John opened the trip to others, and a group of 44 people from all over the United States (and two from England) formed to complete the trip.
As the group formed, I began reading. John gave me a third book: Regions on the Run, an atlas, which helped me really understand the land and why things happened where they did. This took me well beyond the old relief maps that I had made in classes. I took the travel agenda and the study book John had given us, and began to look at where we would go day by day. I wrote notes, and looked for more information where I had questions. Then I began to look at the places we would pass between each of the places we were visiting. I made notes, uploaded it to my Kindle and prepared to go. All this served well on the trip. As we traveled, I could look at my notes. Some things were already in my mind through the preparation. I could spend time seeing, experiencing, and learning more. I was able to take pictures (our group had hearing units that allowed us to hear what was being said, while we wandered a bit). The time had come and we were ready to go.
Israel has been a part of my life for years. From the beginning of my life I have heard stories about the land. I have studied the Bible. As a boy I planted trees in Israel. I have prayed for the people. I have watched the struggles of the young nation as its boundaries are constantly challenged. I went to school to learn more about the Bible and events in Israel from the beginning of time. I have taught about the people and the land (even making relief maps). But yet, there was not the driving call to go to the land.
About eight years ago watching a video on Israel, the desire did come. I began to see how events and geography are tied together. In a video by Ray Vanderlaan I saw how close Nazareth (Where Jesus grew up), Megiddo (Where the last battle will take place) and Mt. Carmel (Where Elijah challenged the prophets of Jezebel) were actually located. I knew it was time to go and see the land for myself.
I began talking to others from my church who wanted to go. But things were not coming together. Other ministers from the area made several trips to Israel, and I had the opportunity to go. But the time was not yet.
Then a member of the church, Tagg Murn, came and said, I know who should take us to Israel. I followed up by looking at John Delancey and Biblical Israel Tours. I found in John someone who loves the Bible, who loves the land, who has the experience because he has been to the land many times, and a man who loves to teach about what we are seeing and connect the Bible and the land. It was time to go.
John came to Peninsula and told us more about the trip. He gave us two books (a devotional and a book that told us the history, the Bible stories, and the archeological finds from each of the places we would visit), and told us what it would take to go to Israel.
Of course I wanted Denise to go. Chelsea and Sarah wanted to go also. The Lord helped us find the money to go to Israel, and we signed up. We also began asking people to go with us. Tagg and Lisa came. Good friends Michael and Inae Parrish joined us. Kenny and Todd Fields also came on the trip. Nancy Rogers, a friend of Denise’s parents who we have known for years came from Great Bend. John opened the trip to others, and a group of 44 people from all over the United States (and two from England) formed to complete the trip.
As the group formed, I began reading. John gave me a third book: Regions on the Run, an atlas, which helped me really understand the land and why things happened where they did. This took me well beyond the old relief maps that I had made in classes. I took the travel agenda and the study book John had given us, and began to look at where we would go day by day. I wrote notes, and looked for more information where I had questions. Then I began to look at the places we would pass between each of the places we were visiting. I made notes, uploaded it to my Kindle and prepared to go. All this served well on the trip. As we traveled, I could look at my notes. Some things were already in my mind through the preparation. I could spend time seeing, experiencing, and learning more. I was able to take pictures (our group had hearing units that allowed us to hear what was being said, while we wandered a bit). The time had come and we were ready to go.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Counting the Omer
How often have you said "I'm counting the days until ..."? We are in the middle of counting the days ... Today is twenty-eight days, which is four weeks of the Omer.
While most Christians are totally unaware of "Counting the Omer," counting days is Biblical. We read about the requirement to count in Leviticus 23:15-16. There are fifty days from Passover to Shavuot, or fifty days from the spring harvest of barley until the summer harvest of wheat. The Jewish people count the days in anticipation.
Actually, the count is not in anticipation of the wheat harvest. Although we enjoy wheat products, the count really anticipates the giving of the law at Mount Sinai. The Midrash Rabbah Parashas Emor explains that when the Children of Israel left Egypt they were told by Moses that 49 days after the exodus, they would be given the Torah. The Jews count the days in anticipation.
When Moses came to Egypt he came into an unformed, dis-unified group of slaves. He worked to bring them together, leading them out of Egypt to the place where the law would be received. The people of Israel became a distinct people when they received the law at Mount Sinai. Many point to this as the birth of the nation of Israel.
In Acts 1 there is a numbering of days. This is because Jesus told the disciples, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
On the day that Jesus died, the disciples were disorganized. Fifty days later they became a distinct people with a mission through the giving of the Holy Spirit. Many point to this as the birth of the church.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sunday School in High Definition
Last week I attended the conference "Sunday School in High Definition" at First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia. The meeting was a great time of renewal and retraining. We all need that sometimes.
During the conference we looked at the three things that must happen each and every week in each Sunday School class:
Reach People for Christ
Teach the Bible
Minister to People.
We all understand the task of teaching the Bible to our class. We do this in various ways. Some groups barely scratch the surface. Other groups dive deep, extracting Greek or Hebrew words, doing tense studies and cross references. Other groups teach relationally. Lessons can be taught by lecture, discussion, or with creative methods.
One of our leaders pointed out that Teaching is only part of the class. Sunday School classes are not College Classes, but they are Great Commission communities.
We were encouraged to reach out. There are many in our world who do not know the Gospel. There are many who do not know the name of Christ. We must share the Good News. Long ago Arthur Flake thought a Sunday School was a failure if at least a third of the attendees was not lost. Sunday School is a great place to share the Gospel as we share God's Word. Sunday School is an ideal place for members to invite friends if they fully understand the purpose of Sunday School.
Sunday School is also a community where we serve on another. Care Leaders are enlisted to accomplish this in the class. contacts are made each week to every member of each Sunday School class. If needs are found, the class reaches out and ministers. The Sunday School classes pass ministry needs and prayer requests to the Pastor each week.
Sunday School classes are created with the purpose of Reaching the Lost, Teaching the Bible, and Caring for members. We need to weekly re-commit to these tasks.
During the conference we looked at the three things that must happen each and every week in each Sunday School class:
Reach People for Christ
Teach the Bible
Minister to People.
We all understand the task of teaching the Bible to our class. We do this in various ways. Some groups barely scratch the surface. Other groups dive deep, extracting Greek or Hebrew words, doing tense studies and cross references. Other groups teach relationally. Lessons can be taught by lecture, discussion, or with creative methods.
One of our leaders pointed out that Teaching is only part of the class. Sunday School classes are not College Classes, but they are Great Commission communities.
We were encouraged to reach out. There are many in our world who do not know the Gospel. There are many who do not know the name of Christ. We must share the Good News. Long ago Arthur Flake thought a Sunday School was a failure if at least a third of the attendees was not lost. Sunday School is a great place to share the Gospel as we share God's Word. Sunday School is an ideal place for members to invite friends if they fully understand the purpose of Sunday School.
Sunday School is also a community where we serve on another. Care Leaders are enlisted to accomplish this in the class. contacts are made each week to every member of each Sunday School class. If needs are found, the class reaches out and ministers. The Sunday School classes pass ministry needs and prayer requests to the Pastor each week.
Sunday School classes are created with the purpose of Reaching the Lost, Teaching the Bible, and Caring for members. We need to weekly re-commit to these tasks.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Haman vrs. Mordachi
Recently we celebrated Purim. (You did, didn't you - it's in the Bible - Esther 9:26)
Have you ever thought about the difference between Haman (BOOO!) and Mordecai (YEAH!!) Haman was totally interested in self. Haman loved his seat of honor (3:1-2). He hated it when Mordecai would not bow down to him (3:5). Haman was pleased when he was honored (like the king 5:9-12). He bragged about his wealth (5:11). Haman was a Narcissist.
Mordecai cared for others. He raised his cousin Esther because her parents had died. When he heard a plot to kill the King, he shared it with the King and saved his life. He worshiped only God. He would bow down to no man. Mordecai served God. When his people were in danger, Mordecai was willing to put his own life in danger to save them. Mordecai had his priorities right.
So a thought for Purim ... Who are you more like. Is your main interest self, or do you care for God and others. Do you look out for "Number 1" or are your priorities balanced.
Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' and `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31
Have you ever thought about the difference between Haman (BOOO!) and Mordecai (YEAH!!) Haman was totally interested in self. Haman loved his seat of honor (3:1-2). He hated it when Mordecai would not bow down to him (3:5). Haman was pleased when he was honored (like the king 5:9-12). He bragged about his wealth (5:11). Haman was a Narcissist.
Mordecai cared for others. He raised his cousin Esther because her parents had died. When he heard a plot to kill the King, he shared it with the King and saved his life. He worshiped only God. He would bow down to no man. Mordecai served God. When his people were in danger, Mordecai was willing to put his own life in danger to save them. Mordecai had his priorities right.
So a thought for Purim ... Who are you more like. Is your main interest self, or do you care for God and others. Do you look out for "Number 1" or are your priorities balanced.
Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' and `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31
Monday, March 5, 2012
My Thanks to BACE
Last week I attended the annual meeting of The Baptist Association of Christian Educators (BACE)at Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas. I look forward to going to BACE. Although I do not make it every year (cost, distance, other obligations), this meeting is something I enjoy.
BACE is the professional organization of Religious Educators. Their website says it is a global network that assists practitioners responsible for helping others grow in Christ. (http://www.baptisteducators.org/) BACE is made up of Ministers of Education (like myself); college & seminary professors; and denominational leaders. I always come back from this group with new ideas and encouragement for the work I do.
BACE gives me opportunities to connect with people whom I have known over the years. It allows conversations with friends from all over the United States. Friendship with others in my field is something I need. Many Ministers of Education seem to work as lone rangers. I have found networking with others who share the same passion as I have to be encouraging. When I have problems, I know experts who can help me solve them. When I get discouraged I have friends who are not part of my church, and who truly understand what I am facing. BACE, CENC and a SYBA group have provided great friendships and support.
Recently BACE has gone beyond a network of friends, for my daughter Chelsea felt led to follow me into the field of Christian Education. It is a joy to watch the second generation follow in your footsteps. She has an advantage as a Religious Educator. She has learned from my mistakes. She has helped me throughout her life, actually serving as a Religious Education apprentice.
My younger daughter Sarah has also had the opportunity to participate in BACE (many thanks to leaders in BACE). She has served as videographer for BACE. This is a field where I feel she has a talent (see her website www.sjsimon.com). Her passions have led her to a ministry very close to my own. She is videographer for Centrifuge (Baptist Youth camp) and recently has been writing articles for the Charlotte Examiner.com (See http://www.examiner.com/religion-and-media-in-charlotte/sarah-simon)
Last week in Dallas, TX, the Baptist Association of Christian Educators presented me the Distinguished Leadership Award. I am honored and grateful. I am grateful that God has given me over 30 years of productive ministry. God has given me a wonderful family. I also appreciate friends that I have known through the years. Thank you BACE for allowing me to be part of this organization.
BACE is the professional organization of Religious Educators. Their website says it is a global network that assists practitioners responsible for helping others grow in Christ. (http://www.baptisteducators.org/) BACE is made up of Ministers of Education (like myself); college & seminary professors; and denominational leaders. I always come back from this group with new ideas and encouragement for the work I do.
BACE gives me opportunities to connect with people whom I have known over the years. It allows conversations with friends from all over the United States. Friendship with others in my field is something I need. Many Ministers of Education seem to work as lone rangers. I have found networking with others who share the same passion as I have to be encouraging. When I have problems, I know experts who can help me solve them. When I get discouraged I have friends who are not part of my church, and who truly understand what I am facing. BACE, CENC and a SYBA group have provided great friendships and support.
Recently BACE has gone beyond a network of friends, for my daughter Chelsea felt led to follow me into the field of Christian Education. It is a joy to watch the second generation follow in your footsteps. She has an advantage as a Religious Educator. She has learned from my mistakes. She has helped me throughout her life, actually serving as a Religious Education apprentice.
My younger daughter Sarah has also had the opportunity to participate in BACE (many thanks to leaders in BACE). She has served as videographer for BACE. This is a field where I feel she has a talent (see her website www.sjsimon.com). Her passions have led her to a ministry very close to my own. She is videographer for Centrifuge (Baptist Youth camp) and recently has been writing articles for the Charlotte Examiner.com (See http://www.examiner.com/religion-and-media-in-charlotte/sarah-simon)
Last week in Dallas, TX, the Baptist Association of Christian Educators presented me the Distinguished Leadership Award. I am honored and grateful. I am grateful that God has given me over 30 years of productive ministry. God has given me a wonderful family. I also appreciate friends that I have known through the years. Thank you BACE for allowing me to be part of this organization.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Spring: Connecting with God
As I stepped out of the door of my home today I saw my daffodils are in bloom. I pulled them all up last fall - they were clumped together in big clumps - and I replanted as single bulbs. About a third of them are in bloom.
I addition there are some trees in bloom at the entrance of our neighborhood. They are pink. God is at work to bring enjoyment to our eyes.
Each season has it's beauty (there was snow on the ground two days ago). As we see the complexities, the varieties, the intricacies of the world around us, we know God is in control. He loves us.
Do we love Him? God desires us to connect with Him more than daily. God desires for us to thank Him, praise Him, and just to talk to Him about His love for us and our love for Him. He is the Creator of the universe, and He does listen - to you and to me.
I addition there are some trees in bloom at the entrance of our neighborhood. They are pink. God is at work to bring enjoyment to our eyes.
Each season has it's beauty (there was snow on the ground two days ago). As we see the complexities, the varieties, the intricacies of the world around us, we know God is in control. He loves us.
Do we love Him? God desires us to connect with Him more than daily. God desires for us to thank Him, praise Him, and just to talk to Him about His love for us and our love for Him. He is the Creator of the universe, and He does listen - to you and to me.
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