What is the meaning of life?
Why is this happening to me?
Why are they like that?
I just don’t understand! … This is the context of the fourth benediction: Binah, the prayer for understanding. “You graciously give knowledge to man and teach mortals understanding: Give to us from Lord Your knowledge, understanding, and intelligence. Blessed be Thou, O Lord, who gives knowledge”
We pray this prayer because we are to seek after understanding “May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word.” (Ps 119:169) We are to seek after understanding as we week after gold and silver (Prov. 2:1-6) for if we have understanding we will gain everything in life.
Wisdom and understanding existed before the beginning. (Pr. 8) They help us understand God and His ways. (Pr 1:6-7; 28:11; Mt 13:14; Mk 4:12; John 5:20) Understanding is what set Israel apart from other peoples. (Dt 4:6). We are to seek to understand God and His ways.
We are to seek God out and His ways. He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” The more we seek for God, the more we grow and understand. We are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding. We should never stop seeking and asking, “Why.”
There is a promise given in James: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (1:5) which encourages us to offer this prayer. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
We need to seek wisdom in our daily lives – even in the mundane decisions we must make every day. We can ask God when we get up in the morning what we should do that day. When we don’t understand why something didn't work out the way we hoped, we should ask God. We need to ask God about the good things and the bad. The Lord in His time and His ways will show us so we will gain understanding.
As I led our prayer meeting the week after praying for understanding, I realized that this portion of prayer leads us into the next, the prayer of repentance. For as we pray for understanding of God and of ourselves, we also pray for God to show us any sinful way within us. To allow God to show us understanding will allow us to be fully cleansed and draw us closer to Him.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” (Col 1:9-10)
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 1:18-20)
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Amidah 3
Prayer is a privilege. Our Loving God offers us audience with Him at any time, at any place, and for any reason. This is an incredible invitation. We can speak to the Creator of the Universe (Ge 14:19), Our Mighty God (Lk 22:69), the King of Kings (1 Tim 6:15).
God is Holy (Ex 3:5; Ps 99:9). This means God is not a person like us (Nu 23:19; Job 9:32). God is Sinless (Ps 7:9; RO 1:17; Rev 15:4). God is not desirous of the things of the world. He is not tempted like us. God is not swayed in order to receive our approval. God is Holy, separate from the sins that taint our lives.
God is One (Deut 6:4), but His name Eloheim teaches us that God is Greater than one. His Might, His strength, His Knowledge and wisdom makes Him worthy of our praise, honor and awe.
God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). The Lord wants us to approach us and speak to Him (Ps 95:6). God is ever present. His name Yahweh means the God who is there (Ex 3:14). God is to be our banner (Ex 17:15), our Shepherd (Ps 23:1), and our Peace (Jud 6:24).
We are to approach God in awe and in recognition of His Holiness as we begin our prayer.
God is Holy (Ex 3:5; Ps 99:9). This means God is not a person like us (Nu 23:19; Job 9:32). God is Sinless (Ps 7:9; RO 1:17; Rev 15:4). God is not desirous of the things of the world. He is not tempted like us. God is not swayed in order to receive our approval. God is Holy, separate from the sins that taint our lives.
God is One (Deut 6:4), but His name Eloheim teaches us that God is Greater than one. His Might, His strength, His Knowledge and wisdom makes Him worthy of our praise, honor and awe.
God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). The Lord wants us to approach us and speak to Him (Ps 95:6). God is ever present. His name Yahweh means the God who is there (Ex 3:14). God is to be our banner (Ex 17:15), our Shepherd (Ps 23:1), and our Peace (Jud 6:24).
We are to approach God in awe and in recognition of His Holiness as we begin our prayer.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Amidah 2
We have seen in the First Benediction that God is our Father, the Creator, Almighty who can create this world by with only a Word. The Second Benediction takes this further. “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” (Ps 71:8)
One rendition of this prayer could be: “You are forever Mighty O Lord. You give immortal life; You revive the dead. You sustain the living with loving-kindness, and in Your great mercy lift the fallen and heal the sick, setting free the imprisoned, and keeping faith with those who sleep in the dust. God of mighty deeds, and who is comparable to You?
This prayer recognizes the mighty power of God. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16). He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. Our Father is the taker and giver of life. “Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. … Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.” (Psalm 21:8-10, 13)
Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.” Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18) He has the power to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” (Mt 10:8)
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalm 103:1-5)
For more on this prayer, read Deuteronomy 10:14-22.
Paul gave a charge to Timothy based on this prayer: “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:18-21)
One rendition of this prayer could be: “You are forever Mighty O Lord. You give immortal life; You revive the dead. You sustain the living with loving-kindness, and in Your great mercy lift the fallen and heal the sick, setting free the imprisoned, and keeping faith with those who sleep in the dust. God of mighty deeds, and who is comparable to You?
This prayer recognizes the mighty power of God. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16). He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. Our Father is the taker and giver of life. “Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. … Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.” (Psalm 21:8-10, 13)
Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.” Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18) He has the power to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” (Mt 10:8)
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalm 103:1-5)
For more on this prayer, read Deuteronomy 10:14-22.
Paul gave a charge to Timothy based on this prayer: “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:18-21)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Amidah 1
One translation of the first benediction says: "Blessed are you Lord our God and God of our fathers. God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob. God, the Great, the Mighty, and Awesome God. Most High who gives kindness plentifully and creates everything. Who recalls kindnesses of the fathers and brings a Redeemer to children's children for the sake of His Name. Oh King, Helper, Savior, and Shield. Blessed are You Lord, Shield of Abraham.
The first benediction of the Amidah give us some roots, an anchor, a place where we see that our faith is not something we dreamed up, but it is given by God and lived out through history by many generations of believers.
This prayer recognizes the Fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These men had a strong faith in God. (Ex. 3:6) It is from these three men that the nation of Israel came forth. "Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: `I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever." Ex 32:13. The names of these three men are mentioned 19 times in the Torah (Ge 50:24; Ex 2:24; 3:6, 15, 16; 4:5; 6:3, 8; 32:13; 33:1; Lev 26:42; Nu 32:11; Dt 1:8; 6:10; 9:5; 9:27; 29:13; 30:20; 34::4) ... coincidence: Once for each of the Benedictions.
Prayer goes beyond just remembering our ancestors. Prayer is always addressed to God. The scripture says, “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Ge 15:6. Abraham believed in God Most High who became his shield (Ge 14:22-15:1) Jesus begins his prayer, “Our Father.” Paul says, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” (Col 1:3). Peter says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Peter 1:3) As these men prayed through the training of the Amidah, they recognized something more. They saw God as the Father who gave an Only begotten Son, and the Son who is the Author and perfecter of our faith. (Heb 12:2)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Eph 1:3-6)
The first benediction of the Amidah give us some roots, an anchor, a place where we see that our faith is not something we dreamed up, but it is given by God and lived out through history by many generations of believers.
This prayer recognizes the Fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These men had a strong faith in God. (Ex. 3:6) It is from these three men that the nation of Israel came forth. "Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: `I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever." Ex 32:13. The names of these three men are mentioned 19 times in the Torah (Ge 50:24; Ex 2:24; 3:6, 15, 16; 4:5; 6:3, 8; 32:13; 33:1; Lev 26:42; Nu 32:11; Dt 1:8; 6:10; 9:5; 9:27; 29:13; 30:20; 34::4) ... coincidence: Once for each of the Benedictions.
Prayer goes beyond just remembering our ancestors. Prayer is always addressed to God. The scripture says, “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Ge 15:6. Abraham believed in God Most High who became his shield (Ge 14:22-15:1) Jesus begins his prayer, “Our Father.” Paul says, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” (Col 1:3). Peter says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Peter 1:3) As these men prayed through the training of the Amidah, they recognized something more. They saw God as the Father who gave an Only begotten Son, and the Son who is the Author and perfecter of our faith. (Heb 12:2)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Eph 1:3-6)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Amidah - Introduction
A little more about the Amidah before we launch into various sections of this prayer.
The Amidah is written in three sections
- Praise = 3 Benedictions
- Petition = 12 (or 13) Benedictions
- Thanksgiving = 3 Benedictions
As I write about the Amidah, we will begin with the first section which includes Benedictions 1-3. This section is about praise of God. It is always good to begin our time of prayer with praise. Praise and Adoration help us to consider the one to whom we address our petitions. We are speaking to the God of the Universe. We are praying to a God who is able to not only answer our prayers, but He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) We are speaking to the Creator, the Eternal God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We speak to the Holy One. As we offer praise, we ready our minds and hearts so we might approach the throne of Grace and pray in the right manner.
The first three Benedictions are:
- Avot = Ancestors
- Gevurot = Powers
- Kedushat Ha-shem = The Name
Some have connected these three with the Lord's Prayer. Consider the following:
- Avot = Ancestors - Our Father
- Gevurot = Power - Who art in heaven
- Ha-shem = Name - Hallowed be Thy Name
I think these designations will help us understand each of the three praises in the Amidah.
Although today there are words written which people read and follow (some pray this prayer three times per day), in the days of Jesus it was not done this way. The teachers of the Mishna wanted each person to pray with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength.
"Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions] every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen. R. Eliezer says: He that makes his prayer a fixed task, his prayer is no supplication. R. Joshua says: He that journeys in a place of danger should pray a short prayer, saying, ‘Save, 0 Lord, the remnant of Israel; at their every cross-road let their needs come before thee. Blessed art You, 0 Lord, that hear prayer!’" (Mishna, Benedictions 4.3-4)
More will be written as I look at the three Benedictions (and those which come after) in future posts.
The Amidah is written in three sections
- Praise = 3 Benedictions
- Petition = 12 (or 13) Benedictions
- Thanksgiving = 3 Benedictions
As I write about the Amidah, we will begin with the first section which includes Benedictions 1-3. This section is about praise of God. It is always good to begin our time of prayer with praise. Praise and Adoration help us to consider the one to whom we address our petitions. We are speaking to the God of the Universe. We are praying to a God who is able to not only answer our prayers, but He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) We are speaking to the Creator, the Eternal God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We speak to the Holy One. As we offer praise, we ready our minds and hearts so we might approach the throne of Grace and pray in the right manner.
The first three Benedictions are:
- Avot = Ancestors
- Gevurot = Powers
- Kedushat Ha-shem = The Name
Some have connected these three with the Lord's Prayer. Consider the following:
- Avot = Ancestors - Our Father
- Gevurot = Power - Who art in heaven
- Ha-shem = Name - Hallowed be Thy Name
I think these designations will help us understand each of the three praises in the Amidah.
Although today there are words written which people read and follow (some pray this prayer three times per day), in the days of Jesus it was not done this way. The teachers of the Mishna wanted each person to pray with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength.
"Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions] every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen. R. Eliezer says: He that makes his prayer a fixed task, his prayer is no supplication. R. Joshua says: He that journeys in a place of danger should pray a short prayer, saying, ‘Save, 0 Lord, the remnant of Israel; at their every cross-road let their needs come before thee. Blessed art You, 0 Lord, that hear prayer!’" (Mishna, Benedictions 4.3-4)
More will be written as I look at the three Benedictions (and those which come after) in future posts.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Amidah Prayer
I am always looking for ways to encourage people in prayer or to enrich our prayer life as I lead prayer meeting at our church on Wednesday nights. Our current session is looking at the morning and evening prayers of the Jewish people known as the Amidah or the “Standing Prayer.”
The first reference to the Amidah is found in the Mishnah and dates back to near the time of Jesus. “Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions]’ every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen.” The origin of the Amidah could go back to the time of Ezra.
The idea behind this series is that often we are very limited in our prayer life, offering supplication only for immediate needs that come to mind. This prayer, the Eighteen Benedictions (Shmoneh Esreh) will help to expand our prayer life reminding us of other areas to include as we pray.
To me it seems that an early version of the Amidah is found in the book of Ephesians. Following is the order of these Benedictions:
1. Avot ("Ancestors") - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2. Gevurot ("powers") - who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
3. Kedushat ha-Shem ("the sanctification of the Name") - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
4. Binah ("understanding") - In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
5. Teshuvah ("return", "repentance") - In him we have redemption through his blood,
6. Selichah (“forgiveness”) - the forgiveness of sins,
7.Geulah ("redemption") - in accordance with the riches of God's grace
8. Refuah ("healing")
9. Birkat HaShanim ("blessing for years [of good]") - that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
10. Galuyot ("diasporas") Prayer for reunion of Israel - And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
11. Birkat HaDin ("Justice") - to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment
13. Tzadikim ("righteous") Prayer for the righteous and proselytes - --to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
14. Bo'ne Yerushalayim ("Builder of Jerusalem") - In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
15. Birkat David ("Blessing of David") Prayer for the Messianic King - in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
16. Tefillah ("prayer") Prayer for the hearing of prayer. - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
17. Avodah ("service") Prayer for the restoration of Temple service. - Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
18. Hoda'ah ("thanksgiving") Thanksgiving for G-d's unfailing mercies. - For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
19. Sim Shalom ("Grant Peace") Grant Peace - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I will write more on this as I develop our Prayer times on Wednesday Nights.
The first reference to the Amidah is found in the Mishnah and dates back to near the time of Jesus. “Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions]’ every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen.” The origin of the Amidah could go back to the time of Ezra.
The idea behind this series is that often we are very limited in our prayer life, offering supplication only for immediate needs that come to mind. This prayer, the Eighteen Benedictions (Shmoneh Esreh) will help to expand our prayer life reminding us of other areas to include as we pray.
To me it seems that an early version of the Amidah is found in the book of Ephesians. Following is the order of these Benedictions:
1. Avot ("Ancestors") - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2. Gevurot ("powers") - who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
3. Kedushat ha-Shem ("the sanctification of the Name") - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
4. Binah ("understanding") - In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
5. Teshuvah ("return", "repentance") - In him we have redemption through his blood,
6. Selichah (“forgiveness”) - the forgiveness of sins,
7.Geulah ("redemption") - in accordance with the riches of God's grace
8. Refuah ("healing")
9. Birkat HaShanim ("blessing for years [of good]") - that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
10. Galuyot ("diasporas") Prayer for reunion of Israel - And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
11. Birkat HaDin ("Justice") - to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment
13. Tzadikim ("righteous") Prayer for the righteous and proselytes - --to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
14. Bo'ne Yerushalayim ("Builder of Jerusalem") - In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
15. Birkat David ("Blessing of David") Prayer for the Messianic King - in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
16. Tefillah ("prayer") Prayer for the hearing of prayer. - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
17. Avodah ("service") Prayer for the restoration of Temple service. - Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
18. Hoda'ah ("thanksgiving") Thanksgiving for G-d's unfailing mercies. - For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
19. Sim Shalom ("Grant Peace") Grant Peace - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I will write more on this as I develop our Prayer times on Wednesday Nights.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Israel – The “Best” Thing
Some people have asked me to share the “Best” thing about the trip. I can say the high point of my trip was when I looked out the window and saw the blue waters of the Mediterranean. We were 38,000 feet at the time, so that is definitely the high point of the trip. (I also enjoyed Italy, Greece and the Aegean Islands from the air).But to share the “best” part of the trip is something I really can not do. The “Best” thing does not exist, because there were so many things I really enjoyed.
I traveled to Israel with friends (Mike & Inae Parrish, Tag & Lisa Murn, Kenny & Todd Fields; Nancy Rogers) and Family (Denise, Chelsea & Sarah), and have shared experiences with them that will never be forgotten.
John Delancey, our Biblical guide was fantastic. He shared great Biblical insight and brought the Bible and the places visited to life. His experience made the trip. There were no dry spots or unplanned time. There were no “glitches.” The trip was well planned, and John was always there. I would recommend him (website: http://www.biblicalisraeltours.com/). You can see archives of our trip under June 2012.
Shlomo Ben-Asher was also a great part of the trip. His family moved to Israel in 1938, 10 years before there nation was born. They were part of the Zionist movement that lived on the Kibbutz. Shlomo has a passion for what he has done for 29 years, he travels in order to gain a greater knowledge base and and keep himself on the cutting edge as a guide. He brought us into the culture sharing for his Jewish background and shared with us the Christian sites through years of experience. Some of his songs are still with me.
The food was outstanding. Fresh fruit and vegetables were served at every meal. We ate cheeses and eggs at breakfast. The fresh dates were fantastic.
It was a gift to be able to walk in the very places experienced by those of the Bible. We walked in Jabin’s Palace, we saw where Herod and Pontus Pilate lived, and we walked around the shrine of Jeroboam in Dan. We walked the Herodian streets, climbed through the tunnels of Hezekiah, saw the caves of Qumran, visited the heights of Masada, and sailed the Sea of Galilee.
We swam in the Mediterranean, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan, the springs at Sachni where we heard and saw the “Sanhedrin,” the pools of Ein Gedi, and in the Dead Sea.
We saw antelope, coneys, peacocks, muskrats and catfish up close. (See Sarah’s video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0RBpjlJ1EU&feature=share). We saw the headwaters (roaring) of the Jordan River, climbed Mt. Arbel. Looked out from the Mt Precipice at Nazareth, saw Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, and experienced many of the landscapes of Israel.
I went to the Western Wall where I spent time in prayer, and where I prayed with others. We also visited the pool of Siloam and of Bethesda.
I bargained with the Bedouin, Palestinian, and Jewish merchants. We were served coffee in the back room of one of the shops under the arches of the Joppa Gate. We saw celebrations like Bar Mitzvahs at our motel, the Dung Gate and at the Western Wall. We saw dancers at the Bar Mitzvahs and as we walked Ben Yahouda Street.
We enjoyed an unplanned (by our guides) but panned (by God) detour through Modi’in where the Chanukah story was told, Chelsea and Sarah led singing on the bus, and where Sarah and a few others had “A great thing happened there” experience.
And the trip continues. As Daniel Dye read the scripture on the Transfiguration Sunday morning, I saw it, because we visited the land and experienced the Lord.
What is the “best” part of the trip … I think it is all BEST!
Take time to view a few of our pictures. There are two collections –
Jerusalem – https://plus.google.com/photos/115544123164287975321/albums/5761726037763508785?authkey=CKjs4fbz6MOBsQE
The rest of Israel - https://plus.google.com/u/1/photos/115544123164287975321/albums/5761026986035271169?authkey=COqExoL17_GkVw
I traveled to Israel with friends (Mike & Inae Parrish, Tag & Lisa Murn, Kenny & Todd Fields; Nancy Rogers) and Family (Denise, Chelsea & Sarah), and have shared experiences with them that will never be forgotten.
John Delancey, our Biblical guide was fantastic. He shared great Biblical insight and brought the Bible and the places visited to life. His experience made the trip. There were no dry spots or unplanned time. There were no “glitches.” The trip was well planned, and John was always there. I would recommend him (website: http://www.biblicalisraeltours.com/). You can see archives of our trip under June 2012.
Shlomo Ben-Asher was also a great part of the trip. His family moved to Israel in 1938, 10 years before there nation was born. They were part of the Zionist movement that lived on the Kibbutz. Shlomo has a passion for what he has done for 29 years, he travels in order to gain a greater knowledge base and and keep himself on the cutting edge as a guide. He brought us into the culture sharing for his Jewish background and shared with us the Christian sites through years of experience. Some of his songs are still with me.
The food was outstanding. Fresh fruit and vegetables were served at every meal. We ate cheeses and eggs at breakfast. The fresh dates were fantastic.
It was a gift to be able to walk in the very places experienced by those of the Bible. We walked in Jabin’s Palace, we saw where Herod and Pontus Pilate lived, and we walked around the shrine of Jeroboam in Dan. We walked the Herodian streets, climbed through the tunnels of Hezekiah, saw the caves of Qumran, visited the heights of Masada, and sailed the Sea of Galilee.
We swam in the Mediterranean, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan, the springs at Sachni where we heard and saw the “Sanhedrin,” the pools of Ein Gedi, and in the Dead Sea.
We saw antelope, coneys, peacocks, muskrats and catfish up close. (See Sarah’s video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0RBpjlJ1EU&feature=share). We saw the headwaters (roaring) of the Jordan River, climbed Mt. Arbel. Looked out from the Mt Precipice at Nazareth, saw Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, and experienced many of the landscapes of Israel.
I went to the Western Wall where I spent time in prayer, and where I prayed with others. We also visited the pool of Siloam and of Bethesda.
I bargained with the Bedouin, Palestinian, and Jewish merchants. We were served coffee in the back room of one of the shops under the arches of the Joppa Gate. We saw celebrations like Bar Mitzvahs at our motel, the Dung Gate and at the Western Wall. We saw dancers at the Bar Mitzvahs and as we walked Ben Yahouda Street.
We enjoyed an unplanned (by our guides) but panned (by God) detour through Modi’in where the Chanukah story was told, Chelsea and Sarah led singing on the bus, and where Sarah and a few others had “A great thing happened there” experience.
And the trip continues. As Daniel Dye read the scripture on the Transfiguration Sunday morning, I saw it, because we visited the land and experienced the Lord.
What is the “best” part of the trip … I think it is all BEST!
Take time to view a few of our pictures. There are two collections –
Jerusalem – https://plus.google.com/photos/115544123164287975321/albums/5761726037763508785?authkey=CKjs4fbz6MOBsQE
The rest of Israel - https://plus.google.com/u/1/photos/115544123164287975321/albums/5761026986035271169?authkey=COqExoL17_GkVw
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