Run the Race

In the Shadow of Herod

Today we enterd the last week of Jesus' life. Now, I've read the four gospels many times and thought I

knew that story fairly well. What I learned today was mind blowing. And if all I received today were the amazing parallels between Jesus' words and actions with Old Testament texts and the history of that time, that would have been enough. But to stand on the Mount of Olives, in an Olive grove very much like the one (if not the actual) in which Jesus spent the week, having walked the triumphal entry route and surveyed the Temple Mount was unbelievably powerful. We gained insights that are just not possible outside those conditions. What an impact!

Then came the enactment of the Last Supper and the final prayer in the olive garden. Oh, my. I had heard most of this material, including the fascinating and deeply moving meanings behind each of the cups before and during the meal, but the power of Ray's teaching combined with the literal geography and the culmination of the past twelve days made for one of the most moving moments of the trip. And there have been plenty of those!

We had another special privilege today. Somehow Ray arranged for us yo enter the Muslim cemetary

which usually present an impassable barrier to the Eastern Gate of Jeruslem. We stood right in front of it.

I haven't commented much on the politics of this region but any Israel traveler is certainly made aware of them. Today was a prime example. We toured all four corners of Jerusalem noting the startling contrasts between them and marveling that they exist at all. Before making our way to Bethlehem we had to change buses and drivers as our Israeli team was not permitted beyond the wall. This was made more ironic by the fact that Bethlehem is in Israeli occupied Palestine. If that sounds slightly bizzare it doesn't compare with actually being there. This is an impossibly complex land.

We visited Bethlehem for two reasons: to see the area in which Jesus was born and to visit the Herodian. I'll cover this more tomorrow, making this a two part post. Right now I have to get some sleep.

Tomorrow is our final full day here and then we begin the long journey home. I'll need all the rest I can get!

From Mt. Carmel to Jerusalem

Today was a huge day. We covered so much ground (literally) and so many fascinating topics, scripture, geography and biblical insights it would take all night to write about!

The major hike today was up Mt. Carmel where we visited Israel's oldest working Olive Grove and the

story of Elijah. Once again, Ray is not into "square inch" but if this isn't the place where the prophets of Baal story took place it is certainly very similar. And once again, actually being in the land of the story adds immeasurably to understanding and appreciation. Its a difficult ascent and Elijah made it twice in one day! The most special moment, however, was the opportunity Ray had to reach out to an Israeli couple, building a bridge to reconciliation and the gospel. What a God moment that was, and what A model for the rest of us.

We headed next for Jerusalem! Our first stop was to an ancient terraced farm where, once again, we

were challenged in the extreme to act out the gospel in just the way the Text describes. I'll admit there are times when I'm not certain my head and heart can take anymore. Then there's what's next.

The city of Jerusalem was next! If you've ever been here you know how special it is. If not, I'll just say

there is a feeling here like no other city. We'll spend much more time in the next two days but tonight we visited the Western Wall. I was able to pray there amidst a vast host of Orthodox Jewish men and their boys. I can't explain how uniue and special that was. I've written this before, I know, but I will truly never forget it.

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What Type of Soil Are You?

Today was so full. We spent almost all of it in the areas around which Jesus would have grown up. Nazareth was in sight for many of the miles we hiked, and we saw and discussed many things that

helped shape Jesus as "fully man" One highlight was spending time around a 1st century quarry out of which came the stones uses to build Herod Antipas' palace. Since Jesus was a Tekton and knew how to work with stone, it is very likely he spent time in that very place. I know a statement like that blows every image you've ever had of woodworking Jesus. I'm not saying he never worked with wood, but this is a country of rocks and stone. Lots of rocks and stone, and precious little timber. Especially near where Jesus grew up.

The hike to that quarry was especially remarkable. We added another to our list of "Firsts" on this trip when we hikes through a rain storm. And I do mean storm. Today's rain was the first September rain in over 60 years! It was a great blessing.

After lunch we headed into Sepphoris (or Zippori). This was the location of Herod's palace and the main

city of the Herodian Jews. The archaeologists from Duke have uncovered some amazing mosaics and uncovered what is clearly a Greek influenced city. It is at once impressive and disturbing. One can see in the art and construction that the Herodians had bought completely into the Hellenistic world view. The progression is obvious and it is sobering. Sobering because their history is anear mirror of our own.

The day ended with another hike up a mountain. This one is named "The Horns of Hittin". The view of

the Galilee is stunning and it was a marvelous place to try and process the past three days. We said goodbye to the Galilee this evening and will be leaving tomorrow for Jerusalem.

I saved the first stop of the morning for the end because it was the most insightful of the day. As we

stood in a two thousand year old field Ray began to give some insight into the Parable the Sower. The first piece was that know Jew would call it that. Instead they would call it The Parable of the Soil. The main question to them and the disciples is, "What kind of soil are you?" Thia teaching of Jesus is simply brilliant. We learned there are several Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) passages refrenced in this teaching and that all of it is amazingly visual. This is especially true when standing in a field which Jesus himself could easily have seen. We closed this Faith Lesson with a

powerful symbolic rock stacking ceremony. Everyone placing a stone on the pile did so with the commitment to be "good soil".

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Go Into All the World

Today is a difficult one to write about, partly because it was so varied and partly because it was so emotional.

We began the day in Capernaum (Kafer Nahum) which was Jesus' chosen ministry home. It was a

relatively small town in His day but you should be thinking Harvard, Princeton and Yale when considering its academic credentials. In other words, Jesus chose to take on the scriptural "heavyweights" of His day. This was also the first and so far only place we experienced the tourism industry. It was strange.

Our next hike led to the banks of the Jordan River where we had an experience unlike any other so far. John the Baptist entered the story again, along with Jesus and the disciples. How can I describe this Faith Lesson?

We've been discussing the story of God bringing Peace (Shalom) to the Chaos and following it from

creation to the Exodous to Jesus and right on through to the present. Today's experience at the Jordan River brought insights into exactly what happened when Jesus stepped off the bank, into that water to join us in the chaos. It would take me 45 minutes to describe what happened next. The challenge to us was you can't stand on the bank and ignore the chaos around you. The challenge was unexpected, as was my own reaction. We all ended up IN the rushing river, knee deep, crying out to God. I have river rock taken from where I stood.

I'm going to mention that lunch followed only because today's holiday made necessary an unusual thing; a restaurant. What I want you to know, besides the fact that the food was wonderful, is that 53 people arrived, ate and departed in one hour and one minute.

The Decapolis followed with a visit to two cities in particular, Bet She'an and Susita. We had quite a

surprise at Bet She'an that I'm still not over. We were set up, Ray admitted, but we were blasted with the reality of the seductive nature of Hellenism. It was sobering to say the least.

A long, steep hike up to Susita led us to more fascinating history and ruins. The best part was the

hillside view of the Sea of Galilee as the sine began to set. The final Faith Lesson dealt with the story of the demon possessed man which Ray makes a strong case for believing occurred within sight of where we gathered. You just can't imagine how powerful it is to read the story where it happened. Add instruction

from a world-class teacher and you have a recipe for astonishing insights. That's what we received. I think we all cried. The sun sank below the Lower Galilee mountains as we made our descent and we reached the bus in darkness.

One man in utter chaos received from Jeaus ultimate peace. He was asked to go home and tell his story which resulted in "a large crowd of believers" who were present the next time Jesus came through. One man, entering chaos with the story of what Jesus had done for him, helped change the world. In what ways are we doing the same?

An All-Consuming Passion - Day 9

We spent a large chunck of the day with the Zealots in Gamla. There was a huge amount of history in the teaching which, among many other things, helped to more accurately frame the cauldron into which Jeaus stepped. Gamla is a moving place for at least two reasons. First, it was a place of tragic sacrifice as over 5000 Zealots chose to end their lives rather than be captured by the Romans. Second, it is especially wondeful archeaologically because it is essentailly stone on stone the way the Romans left it. Ruins, yes. But ruins which have been untouched for thousands of years. This means that anywhere in that synagogue one can safely say is a place Jesus would have seen or even physically been. Again it's not "square inch stuff" but it is very exciting. I write that but there is one exception. If a person walks every square inch of the Bema then it is fairly safe to suppose Jesus' feet touched exactly that same spot. That is exactly what I did!

We were treated next to what has been the third new and second really significant archeaological find. Another career maker seen at this point by only a few hundred people. It is the third of the three temples Herod built to declare Ceasar as God. Just as significantly its discovery pretty much nails the location of the Via Maris eastern turn toward Damacus! Really neat stuff.

The next two lessons at Caesaria Philippi and Mt. Hermon I just don't think I can describe. There are at least five passages and three assumptions that were turned on their ear. Those Faith Leasons were amazing! To think Jesus walked his disciples that far to a place they would never, ever have been anywhere near just to teach them means that lesson must have had major significance. Did it ever! One could say this was a major part of preparing those disciples for what they would decades later face in Asia.

I really wish I had the energy to describe what we next learned standing on Mt Hermon. I can tell you I will never read the Transfiguration story the way I used to. Wow! And it's all in the Bible. Every bit of it.

Ray has every day used some or all of the phrase "I want to be a part of the Story. I want to be IN the story. It is, after all, one continuous story!" Amen.


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Community - Day 8

This was a difficult morning. I really don't know why but after a good night's sleep I awoke tired and a bit sore. We've changed elevation but only 3000 feet. It is certainly more humid but not unlike South Carolina. For whatever reason I just wasn't on my game

So what was the first thing on our journey today?  A hike up Mt. Arbel! If you've ever climbed that

mountain I need write no more. Two of our group turned back after the first stop. Though my legs were screaming I wasn't about to do that. I must bless God at this point for giving me the sheer power of will to just keep climbing. And oh, what a climb. Someone remarked there isn't a state park in America that would allow the public to scale such a hazardous trail. They're right. But the sheer joy and exhileration was fantastic!

As wonderful as the climb (and decent) was it still wasn't the reason for this hike. What we saw from the

summit most certainly was! From the top of Mt. Arbel one can view an inspirational panorama of every city and major part of the Galilee in which Jesus walked and taught. It was breathtaking. Honestly. Galilee is beautiful. And the thought that my eyes were seeing what Jesus essentially saw was just too wonderful for words. We received another fantastic geography lesson as we once again learned how much place matters. Beaides, we could see it all from there!

As Ray began to unpack community and discipleship and the need to love and pray for one another, he made a statemennt that stunned us all. You see, he had already made this climb earlier that morning to pray for each of us by name. You can't imagine the effect this had on us all. We were then given the opportunity to pray for those on whom we had direct spiritual influence. Jane Ann, William, Joseph and Ashleigh, I called out your name before the Lord on that hill and then asked Him to make me a better lamp for your path.

Following lunch (which we ate early at 2) we spent time in Korazin studying the synagogue and learning

about Jewish life and customs particularly those surrounding the Insula. One in our group is an art history student. She shared some insight regarding the architectural style of the synagogue and its significance in the culture thy Ray had never before considered. He was grateful for the insight as were we all.

The best was yet to come. As we discussed the educational customs and the Rabbi-disciple model we learned what true discipleship really is, and what kind of passion and dedication it takes to truly be a "disciple". It was one of the most riveting and convicting things I've ever heard.

A short ride brought us to one of many hillsides in the area where Jesus taught and just like the one (if

not THE one) on which the feeding of the 5000 took place. RVL is not a "square inch" guy but even if he were there just aren't enough textual clues to be certain. It didn't matter. Israel had long ago worked its uncanny magic on us all, so to be close was good enough. There was another 30 minutes of amazing teaching on that hill but what happened on the next one I must briefly share.

We were led past a farm to a steep grassy hill that turned out to contain a large pile of stones. The Rabbi had earlier reached down and taken a stone from the path. We are quick studies, having learned the En Gedi lesson, so everyone else did the same. This stone pile, we learned, began as a memorial to Ray's mother who was tragically killed in an automobile accident. What was being memorialized was not just what agreat lady she was, however, but also her spiritual influence on Ray which led to his being a continuation of The Story. We then learned what the rocks were for. Each of us had the opportunity to thank God for the one who had been responsible for linking us into The Story and place a rock in their honor or memory on that pile. Again, it was a moving experience.

For the second time our day ended in darkness as we carefully picked our way down the steep hills. Everyone made it safely.

Ray said many, many things today always as a direct response to the bible and what it had to say. Every teaching and Faith Lesson is that way. Among many one that is still ringing in my ears is: You can't be a true disciple of Jesus without an intense, all-consuming passion to be like Jesus. Not just to know what Jesus said but to Be who Jesus was. And you must do this in the context of Community. It is impossible to bring Shalom to the Chaos without the love and support of Community.




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A Passion for God

We checked out of Isrotel Dead Sea and once again drove north along the shores of the Dead Sea. Today's

destination was Qumran. Most are familiar with the Dead Sea Scrolls and know they were discovered in the caves just above here. We spent the morning discussing the Essenes. Just prior we received a Semester's worth of history in about 20 minutes. The passion, dedication and devotion these people had is at once inspiring and convicting. And to experience their world was a tremendous blessing.

The teaching quickly moved to John the Baptist, his connection to the Essene community and his role in preparing the way for Jesus. Of course the beat teachings come after the most difficult hikes. Today was no exception. I so wish you could all be present to experience the power of the bible taught and connected the way Ray does it IN its context. The impact is amazing and amount of information and emotion is nearly overwhelming. It's like trying to drink water from a fire hose. The amount of notes on this teaching alone covered over six pages. And this was all before lunch!

Today ended our time in the desert so immediately after lunch we boarded the bus and headed for Galilee. Since we traveled through occupied Palestinian Territory we alao gaines a passenger. An armed Israeli soldier.

There were several stops along the way, of course, and the teaching that leaves a person feeling like dancing, or shouting, or something. I'm not kidding. And then there are the times when every single image or picture you thought you had gets completely blown away. That summarizes our visit to the "shepherds

on the hillside". Aside from the power and emotion of the teaching we received in that field and in the shepherd's cave which is most likely the kind In which Jesus would actually have been born, I simply had to repent for every Christmas Pageant I've ever produced and directed. We just have it all wrong.

I've probably learned more today than any other and I didn't think that was possible. There is just SO much. Ray left us pondering a thought as we sat in that dirty, stinking, soot-stained shepherd's cave: God was willing to come and join our chaos so that we could partner with Him and help deliver others from their chaos. And so bring Shalom. Do I do that? Do you? Every day and in every way possible?


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Streams In the Desert

Today was the most rigorous (some would say treacherous) and amazing hike of the trip. It was also the second warmest at just a bit over 109.

After our morning routine we had a short ride North along the Dead Sea shore. Destination? En Gedi. After two full days in the desert the sight of this stunning oasis was a delight to spirit, body and soul. It was amazing! I know you may be tiring of that word, but it truly was. Ray's timing is purposeful, of course, and this living water in the midst of such a dry and thirsty land was exhilerating. What's more, this is exactly the water in which David and his men took refuge and sustenance. The image in Psalm 42:1-2 among others is taken from here. To know you are looking and listening to the very same thing as King David is, well, beyond words.

Then Ray did a very surprising thing. As we reached the upper head waters of the falls he jumped in! I couldn't offload my gear fast enough. In I went! Turns out not everyone made the same decision. There was a teaching about that. Nor did everyone see him sneak further up the trail. Those of us who did, and followed, were treated to the most splendid part of the En Gedi experience. You may be thinking "not everyone experienced the best part" and you'd be correct. There was a powerful teaching about that, too. There is so much more but my time is short. I was called upon today to deliver the closing point scripture. What a joy!

I want you to know there were three more hikes before day's end. All long, all steep and all hot. The very special treat today was something Ray says only about 300 people in the world have seen. It's a series of ruins just above one of Herod's secret spice operations called "The Essene Huts" and requires Israeli cabinet level permission to visit. The archaeologist who discovered the ruins is certain they are the dwelling places of the Qumran Essenes. Ray isn't as certain. They're located some 30 miles away from Qumran, for instance. Still, the size, layout and features made for a great Essene teaching experience and it was an honor and priviledge to see it.

The final hike up Wadi Mishmar began the discussion of Jesus and his connection to the entire story we have so far experienced. Oh, my.

Ray left En Gedi with this thought: the amazing falls we experienced does not come from a single source but from thousands of small streams. They represent each one of us who are called to be "En Gedi" to those in our community and beyond. Could you be described as an "En Gedi"? Could I?

From the Patriarchs to Herod

Today was an amazing day. It began as they all do: wake-up call at 6, breakfast at 6:30, at the bus by 6:50. It's a routine to which we've all quickly adjusted. There is, as you may imagine, so much more to do and see than daylight will permit and none of us wants to miss a thing. Before the bus rolls, however, there are always two things on the agenda: devotions and the saying of the Shema in Hebrew and English. That is, the text of Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Both are very special parts of the morning. 

The focus of today was twofold: A journey into the land of the Patriarchs (Abraham and Hezekiah) and the introduction of Herod. We began with a relatively short bus ride to Tel Arad whose ruins date to 3000 B.C. I peered into a well from which Abraham very likely drank. When Joshua sent out the spies they would have walked past here. In all there are six cities represented in this Tel the last of which was constructed by King Hezekiah. Standing there, thinking of all the history that happened here was surreal. What came next was so far the most emotionally charged event of the trip. 

Ray walked us through a series of stories and events from the bible which link Abraham, the Jewish sacrificial system and the crucifixion of Jesus. For most this was brand new. For those of us who had already been exposed to it, there was an entirely new dimension. We were hearing it IN its actual context. We were "in" the story. 

A few steps up the hill, we were treated to another surprise: the only Jewish Temple dating from the Iron Age found anywhere. Its discovery made Tel Arad one of the top ten archaeological digs in Israel. It was designed as a replica to the Jerusalem Temple at about 1/20 scale. The attention to detail and the things historians were then able to learn about Jewish worship from that period are stunning. The truly stunning thing is it shouldn't exist. King Hezekiah, in obedience to Torah, ordered all "High Places" outside Jerusalem destroyed. For reasons unknown, this one was respectfully preserved, covered in dirt and left for others to discover thousands of years later. What a feeling it was to realize we were standing in the midst of a Temple belonging to a people who worship the same God we do. 

What took place next as we sat around the Sacrificial Altar, built exactly to the biblical specifications, is not possible for me to adequately describe. Ray walked us through an overview of the sacrificial system. As he did so, echoes of the Abraham narrative we had earlier heard came rushing back. As Ray detailed the sacrifice itself he drew from his pack a Shofar. None of the 53 of us had seen it. As he blew, the sound reverberated around those stones and tore at our hearts. The emotion was palpable. Then came the final piece, Jesus himself, God's sacrificial lamb who was crucified at 9 and died at 3, exactly as God had foreshadowed hundreds of thousands of times through thousands of years of priestly practice. As Ray, quoting Jesus on the cross screamed, "It is Finished!" all of the pieces fell suddenly in to place. There was no other thing to do but weep. It's what we all did. Someone started singing, "Jesus paid it all". Most of us couldn't get through it. I don't know how long we sat there in the wake of that moment. It was a while. No one wanted to move. Eventually, of course, we had to. Other groups were waiting to enter the area. As we rose, loaded up our gear and began to walk down off the hill, the only sound was what our feet made in the rocks. You must know that for this group that is highly unusual. 

There were two other major parts to this day, but I will have to catch up tomorrow (as well as write about Sunday). I want you to know at least this: I experienced today the most amazing display of hospitality ever in my life. And this from a Bedoin Muslim woman who has no idea what I am called or where South Carolina is. Think on that a while. I also want you to know I saw Masada, Herod's desert fortress overlooking the Dead Sea. I've seen pictures and helicopter fly-overs but those did not do justice to this nature defying place. 

I hate to admit this but I am tired and sore. I don't know how many miles we have hiked since Thursday or how many thousands of feet in elevation change we have traversed. The number is high in both cases. I must have twisted my ankle somewhere in Wadi Zoar and it hurts. In spite of that, my mind and heart are about to burst. You can't imagine the blessing of what God has allowed me to experience. I am not worthy, but I am so thankful. As I head toward sleep, which will be very easy, I will be thinking about Ray's last words before we left the Temple ruin at Tel Arad. "Jesus died so that we might become partners with Him in this Story. I want to be in this story. How about you?"

The Shade at My Right Hand

I can hardly imagine a more powerful combination of experience, illustration and story than what we had today.

We had a difficult journey up a Wadi canyon in the Negev desert. The hike was long, and hot, and  challenging. Indeed, there were times when "hiking" meant using feet AND hands.

If you've ever tried to picture the biblical wilderness or had an image of the desert through which the  Israelites wandered, it's a safe bet for me to conclude you likely have it wrong. I know I did. Don't think sand. Think rocks. Lots of rugged, shifting rocks. And "green pastures"?  Again, think rocks, with tiny tufts  of dry, rugged grass growing at the base. It looks from a distance like the sheep and goats are eating rocks! Oh, and we were so blessed to see a Bedoin shepherd tending her flock. What an amazing, moving image of God as our Shepherd. She led with her voice and the flock obediently followed. It was beautiful. And yes, you are reading correctly the feminine gender. Almost all Bedoin shepherds are girls. Ready to take me up on that bet?

There was SO much to learn today and so many powerful lessons that picking one is painful. If forced I would have to choose the biblical image of God being the shade at our right hand. Ray's summary for that Faith Lesson was "God is just enough". I can not do it justice here and now but consider this: Is it not true that the times in your life when God has been closest have been the most difficult ones? God has not promised a floodgate of relief, but rather to be "just enough" and to never be further than our outstretched right hand. My opportunity to be God's voice dealt with this very subject. Quoting the text in its actual context was once again an overwhelming powerful experience.

God has promised to be just enough shade for one more day. People all around you are going through their own desert experiences. For whom are you being "shade"?