He Was Looking at God

I was not prepared for the emotions that were stirred on our visit to Mt Nebo. This is the place where Moses learned that he would not be allowed to go into the Promised Land Deut 34:1-12. Jim J suggested that it would have been akin to a pastor who led a church for several years then found it was time to move on. We looked out upon a vista that encompassed the distant cities of Hebron, Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, and others all invisible to the naked eye.
It was suddenly heartbreaking to think of the sadness Moses must have felt. Jim Turley said "Look up there-that is the church some pastors never get to have." That statement had the effect of tying the past to the present. It gave me a sense of what some pastors in the itineracy system might experience each year. The combination of comments by the two Rev Jim's said to me sometimes you need to say goodbye to some places, people in your care, and with whom you have a relationship. In other cases you may never get to the place you sensed God called you to go. Bruce Feiler gives a perspective on Moses inability to enter the Promised Land that I found helpful. "The actual physical dimensions to the Promised Land matter less than it's spiritual dimensions." He described the fulfillment Moses did achieve. "Looking out will not show him what he sees. The only way for Moses to see the complete dimensions-the full glory of the Promied Land-is by looking inward to his own internal geography, the true reflection of divine glory. John 17:10 All mine are yours and yours are mine and I have been glorified in them. Moses may not get to the land, but he gets the promise... The land alone is not the destination; the destination is the place where human beings live in consort with the Divine. Ultimately it does not matter that what the Bible describes is impossible to see. It doesn't matter because Moses wasn't seeing as we do. At the end, he wasn't even looking at the land. He was looking where we should look. He was looking at God." It was quite fitting as we were leaving the lookout point on Mt. Nebo a sandstorm obscured our view. Over the last few days several people have quoted Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." This has been a much needed reminder to me that what I cannot see does not really matter. God has a plan and infinitely better plan. Mary B

Living Stones

I am reading Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler. It is a book about his pilgrimmage to the places found in the pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament). It includes interviews with many different people. One woman he interviewed said this..."the tombs, the shrines, they are wonderful and God will speak to you through those, but it's the living stones that matter, the people." We are all living stones. We worship a living God. If you come here and say, "Lord, what do you want me to see?" He will show you.

Indeed, this past week, I have seen many tombs and shrines as well as beautiful churches and breathtaking venues. All of these have already changed how I read Scripture. However, God has also shown me the "living stones" that matter, the people I have met on this holy journey. I have received insight, heart-felt encouragement and the promise of continual prayer from a wonderful couple I have heard about for years and finally had the chance to meet. These "living stones" are like a strong foundation; they are my new friends and mentors in the ministry. My Mercy Street pal and guardian angel has provided daily messages from the Bible and the Big Book. He is not just a "living stone" but a real monument to the command "love God and love others." They are several senior couples among us who loving watch out for each other. Hold hands as they walk along and speak with kind words. These "living stones" are etched with stories of perseverance and steadfast love.

Earlier in the week, I watched two of the younger pilgrims throw stones into the Sea of Galilee. As I watched the ripple spread outward, I thought about the positive impact they are making and will continue to make in the lives of others through their ministry. Jesus was all about developing relationships with others. If I may be so bold, I would agree with the woman in the interview. Living stones matter!!

Shalom,
Mary B.

Fear not!

Over the last few weeks I have had numerous friends and family members ask me if I was afraid to go to Israel. The answer has repeatedly been no. Maybe it's my age or simply naivete that keeps me from having fear about going to the Holy Land. While I'm not afraid of what might happen to me, I am afraid of missing an encounter with God. I fear that my obsessive nature will keep my mind wandering back home to things over which I have no control. Last night at Mercy Street, Gregg spoke on Mark 4:35-41, Jesus calms the storm. It was a perfect send-off message. I thought about the passage and how it might apply to the distractions that fill my head and threaten to rob me of the joy of experiencing God on this trip. Just as the disciples were invited by Jesus to go over to the other side, I was invited to join my brothers and sister on this trip. I claim the power of Jesus to calm the storms in my mind and free me from distractions, "Quiet! Be still". I pray the same for my fellow travelers and also for those at home who are with us in thought and prayer.