TABGHA / HEPTAPEGON
It is a small valley on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The name “Tabgha” is the Arab mispronunciation of the Greek word “Heptapegon,” meaning “seven springs.” It was here that Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish and fed 5000 people (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-43; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-14).
John 6:1-14 (the feeding of the 5000)
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Feburary 4th, Site #5
OTHER IMPORTANT GALILEAN TOWNS
GENNESARET / GINNOSAR
It is a fertile plain stretching three miles along the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus ended up here (Mark 6:53) after walking on water (Mark 6:45-52).
MAGDALA / MIGDAL
It is a fishing village four miles from Tiberias. It was the hometown of Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala), out of whom Jesus cast seven demons (Luke 8:2). She was the first to see the resurrected Christ (John 20:1-18). Magdala was a center of rebel activity during the Jewish revolt against the Romans in the first century.
BETHSAIDA / BET SAIDA
It is an ancient fishing village close to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. This was the native town of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:43). Jesus upbraided Bethsaida for its unbelief (Matthew 11:20-24).
CHORAZIM / KHIRBET KERAZEM
A town situated on a hill north of Capernaum, above the Sea of Galilee. Jesus condemned Chorazim for its unbelief (Matthew 11:20-24).
COUNTRY OF THE GADARENES OR GERGESENES / KURSI
The pagan region where Jesus cured a demon-possessed man by sending a legion of demons into a herd of swine (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). It is located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee near the road that leads to the Golan Heights.
GENNESARET / GINNOSAR
It is a fertile plain stretching three miles along the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus ended up here (Mark 6:53) after walking on water (Mark 6:45-52).
MAGDALA / MIGDAL
It is a fishing village four miles from Tiberias. It was the hometown of Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala), out of whom Jesus cast seven demons (Luke 8:2). She was the first to see the resurrected Christ (John 20:1-18). Magdala was a center of rebel activity during the Jewish revolt against the Romans in the first century.
BETHSAIDA / BET SAIDA
It is an ancient fishing village close to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. This was the native town of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:43). Jesus upbraided Bethsaida for its unbelief (Matthew 11:20-24).
CHORAZIM / KHIRBET KERAZEM
A town situated on a hill north of Capernaum, above the Sea of Galilee. Jesus condemned Chorazim for its unbelief (Matthew 11:20-24).
COUNTRY OF THE GADARENES OR GERGESENES / KURSI
The pagan region where Jesus cured a demon-possessed man by sending a legion of demons into a herd of swine (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). It is located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee near the road that leads to the Golan Heights.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Tuesday February 3rd Site#1
Tuesday, February 3 2009
JOPPA / JAFFA
It is an ancient walled city 35 miles from Jerusalem and just south of Tel-Aviv. It was Israel’s only early sea port. During periods of Israel’s history it was under the control of Phoenicia.
Joshua 19:40-48 (Area assigned to Tribe of Dan)
The seventh lot came out for the tribe of Dan, according to its families. 41The territory of its inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, Me-jarkon, and Rakkon at the border opposite Joppa. When the territory of the Danites was lost to them, the Danites went up and fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and putting it to the sword, they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after their ancestor Dan. This is the inheritance of the tribe of Dan, according to their families—these towns with their villages.
II Chronicles 2:16 (Construction of Solomon’s Temple)
We will cut whatever timber you need from Lebanon, and bring it to you as rafts by sea to Joppa; you will take it up to Jerusalem.”
Ezra 3:7 (Construction of Post-Exilic Temple)
So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from King Cyrus of Persia.
Jonah 1:1-3 (Jonah’s disobedience)
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 9:36-41 (Tabitha restored to life)
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive.
Acts 10:5-16 (Peter’s stay with Simon the Tanner)
Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.
JOPPA / JAFFA
It is an ancient walled city 35 miles from Jerusalem and just south of Tel-Aviv. It was Israel’s only early sea port. During periods of Israel’s history it was under the control of Phoenicia.
Joshua 19:40-48 (Area assigned to Tribe of Dan)
The seventh lot came out for the tribe of Dan, according to its families. 41The territory of its inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, Elon, Timnah, Ekron, Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, Me-jarkon, and Rakkon at the border opposite Joppa. When the territory of the Danites was lost to them, the Danites went up and fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and putting it to the sword, they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after their ancestor Dan. This is the inheritance of the tribe of Dan, according to their families—these towns with their villages.
II Chronicles 2:16 (Construction of Solomon’s Temple)
We will cut whatever timber you need from Lebanon, and bring it to you as rafts by sea to Joppa; you will take it up to Jerusalem.”
Ezra 3:7 (Construction of Post-Exilic Temple)
So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from King Cyrus of Persia.
Jonah 1:1-3 (Jonah’s disobedience)
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 9:36-41 (Tabitha restored to life)
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive.
Acts 10:5-16 (Peter’s stay with Simon the Tanner)
Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.
February 3, Site #2
CAESAREA MARITIMA
It was originally a Phoenician port city. In 22 BC Herod the Great undertook the construction of a new city and harbor. He named it after his patron, Caesar Augustus (emperor from 31 BC–14 AD). It was called Caesarea Maritima (by the sea) to distinguish it from the other Caesarea cities in the Near East. It was also called Caesarea Palestinae. In the Jewish rebellion that began in 66 AD, 20,000 Jews were killed in one day here.
Acts 10:1-46 (Peter preaching there)
In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o”clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa. About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven. Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o”clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.” Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
Acts 8:40; 21:8-9 (Philip living there)
But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
Acts 23:23-35 (Paul imprisoned there before being sent to Rome for trail before the emperor
Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o”clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix the governor.” He wrote a letter to this effect: “Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him. Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council. I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.” So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.
It was originally a Phoenician port city. In 22 BC Herod the Great undertook the construction of a new city and harbor. He named it after his patron, Caesar Augustus (emperor from 31 BC–14 AD). It was called Caesarea Maritima (by the sea) to distinguish it from the other Caesarea cities in the Near East. It was also called Caesarea Palestinae. In the Jewish rebellion that began in 66 AD, 20,000 Jews were killed in one day here.
Acts 10:1-46 (Peter preaching there)
In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o”clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa. About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven. Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o”clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.” Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
Acts 8:40; 21:8-9 (Philip living there)
But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
Acts 23:23-35 (Paul imprisoned there before being sent to Rome for trail before the emperor
Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o”clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix the governor.” He wrote a letter to this effect: “Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him. Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council. I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.” So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.
February 3rd, Site #3
TIBERIAS
It is a city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, founded in AD 18 by Herod Antipas (the Herod of Jesus’ time). He named it for his patron, Caesar Tiberias (emperor from 14-37 AD). It is mentioned only once in the Gospels (John 6:23).
Tiberias was a pagan city during the days of Jesus, but there were seven synagogues there about 150. The Palestinian Talmud, which includes the Mishnah (the oral tradition and commentary on the Old Testament) and the Germara ( a commentary on the commentary) emanated from Tiberias at the end of the fourth century.
It is a city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, founded in AD 18 by Herod Antipas (the Herod of Jesus’ time). He named it for his patron, Caesar Tiberias (emperor from 14-37 AD). It is mentioned only once in the Gospels (John 6:23).
Tiberias was a pagan city during the days of Jesus, but there were seven synagogues there about 150. The Palestinian Talmud, which includes the Mishnah (the oral tradition and commentary on the Old Testament) and the Germara ( a commentary on the commentary) emanated from Tiberias at the end of the fourth century.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Monday, February 2nd--And we're off!
Monday, February 2, 2009
A PRAYER BEFORE DEPARTURE
“Lord, guard and guide the people who fly
Through the great spaces of the sky;
Be with them traversing the air
In darkening storms or sunshine fair.
Thou who dost keep with tender might
The balanced birds in all their flight,
Thou of the tempered winds, be near,
That, having thee, they know no fear.
Aloft in solitudes of space,
Uphold them with thy saving grace.
O God, protect the people who fly
Through lonely ways beneath the sky. Amen”Mary C.E. Hamilton
A PRAYER BEFORE DEPARTURE
“Lord, guard and guide the people who fly
Through the great spaces of the sky;
Be with them traversing the air
In darkening storms or sunshine fair.
Thou who dost keep with tender might
The balanced birds in all their flight,
Thou of the tempered winds, be near,
That, having thee, they know no fear.
Aloft in solitudes of space,
Uphold them with thy saving grace.
O God, protect the people who fly
Through lonely ways beneath the sky. Amen”Mary C.E. Hamilton
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)