Israel Day #7: Remember
Good morning... Yesterday we went to the little town of Bethlehem, a town that is not so little anymore. We visited the multifaceted Church of the Nativity, which was built on top of the cave where Jesus was said to have been born, swaddled in cloth, and placed in a stone manger, a feeding trough for the animals. We took turns kneeling down and touching the black rock floor of the cave, which [...]
Israel Day #6: Holy
Good morning... We spent our final night on the calming shores of the Sea of Galilee before beginning our journey up to Jerusalem. On the way, we stopped in Nazareth and gathered together on the top of Mt. Precipice, a place we could totally envision Jesus standing himself right above his hometown. We read a moving Scripture passage as we looked out for miles in all directions. He went to Nazareth, [...]
Israel Day #5: Hope
Good morning... Yesterday we walked where Jesus walked. We were taught atop a mountain where Jesus taught. We boated on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus boated with his disciples "to the other side," into the unknown. We were given the opportunity to rededicated ourselves to God through a baptism in the Jordan River, where Jesus himself was baptized by John. As soon as Jesus was baptized, [...]
Israel Day #4: Blessed
Good morning... I apologize about the challenges we are experiencing with our blog posts this week. The time change is something I am still trying to negotiate. I think I have figured out a solution, so hopefully we will move more smoothly into our morning messages from here on out. If you missed some of our earlier posts from Israel this week, please touch on the "Previous" button in the top right corner [...]
Israel Day #3: Hear
Good morning... We left the Dead Sea, where the shoreline is shrinking and the water is murky and undrinkable. After a fascinating teaching at the top of Masada, we went to an oasis in the middle of the desert. In contrast to the Dead Sea, we enjoyed living water. From out of the jagged rock faces of the desert, we discovered crystal clear water. We were taught that the water we touched with [...]
Israel Day #2: Community
Good morning... Yesterday's adventure was meaningful and fun. The twenty-four of us enjoyed the beauty of a Negev Desert hike from the base, past an unexpected waterfall and up to the upper rim of a the stunning canyon. We rode camels (hilarious) and ate an amazing abundant lunch prepared by the kindhearted bedouins (a word which means "desert dwellers"). As we drove further down the windy road into the Judean Desert, we descended [...]
Israel Day #1: Desert
Good morning... After being dropped off at the airport around 4:00 pm in Atlanta, we arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel just as the sun was setting. With the seven hour time change, our travel evaporated an entire day. My husband Steve shared with me the sketchy notes from which he will teach each day, and I will put flesh on their bones, adding adjectives, full sentences, and punctuation. I invite you to join [...]
I Hate Leaving Home
Good morning... Does this ever happen to you? At the 11th hour, I always want to stay home. As my fears swirl wildly in the final hours, I crave my familiar comfort zone. I just want to hunker down in my own happy place. I have been waiting to go to on an adult trip to Israel with my husband Steve and a small group of cool people, for years and years and [...]
It Takes Time
Good morning... I read aloud this powerful poem as we entered into the crucible of Lent. I invite you now to savor deep wisdom. Slowing. Silently. Soulfully. Which words sparkle most in the eyes of your maturing heart? ****** It Takes Time by NOEL DAVIS FROM “HEART GONE WALKABOUT” It takes time to bake a loaf of bread, to grind, to knead, to wait…. Time for friends to break and share their lives. [...]
New Ashes This Wednesday
Good morning... Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent, the 46 days before Easter Sunday. Christianity.com explains: "Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for personal forms of fasting, marking an intentional season [...]
Pondering Steve’s Message
Good morning... As a member of the chaplain team at The Lovett School, my husband Steve takes his turn writing a devotional for the community. Up in the middle of the night now, I re-read the thoughts he shared yesterday. Please join me as we ponder this wisdom together. ****** As Moses came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the [...]
Two Crucial Questions
Good morning... Olga from Ukraine continues to interact with our written word community through our friend Pam. After receiving our blog post Day Of Prayer For Ukraine, Olga sent an immediate response: "People all over the world are united. It's really impressive and supports us!" "I'm overwhelmed to know the Ukrainians are hearing the worldwide message of harmony," Pam texted me yesterday. "Yes," I responded. "God's love is shining through in brilliant, unexpected [...]