Only a couple days into 2011 my work approved my leave of absence to go to Israel in the fall. From there the framework of the year was set as I applied, was accepted, and continued with preparations. As I begin 2012, I’m lost as to what may happen. I had hoped to get some greater sense of direction for my life while I was gone. Instead, I feel reassured to continue with where I left off before I departed. Last night, we finally got some long overdue snow. I woke up this morning to see the world coated with […]
Category Archives: Other
Hanukkah
Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. John 10:22-23 Happy Hanukkah! I mentioned last time how Alexander the Great took over Egypt and the Greeks ruled Egypt for three centuries under the Ptolemaic dynasty until Rome took control. At the same time, Israel fell under Ptolemaic control. To the north of Israel in Syria, the Seleucid dynasty ruled. There was war between the Ptolemies and Seleucids for decades. Eventually Israel fell under control of the Seleucids, who didn’t end up as lenient as their previous […]
Fasting and Forgiveness
The LORD said to Moses, “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:26-28 Today is Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), which began last night at sundown. I’m sitting outside in the garden at JUC. There is barely a car on the road. Last night I wandered around with a few others from […]
Happy New Year!
The LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the LORD by fire.’” Leviticus 23:23-25 Shana Tova! Happy New Year! Today is Rosh Hashanah – the head of the Jewish year, marking the beginning of the year 5772. One of the traditions that became attached to this day was the eating of apples with honey, wishing for a sweet year. Each Wednesday evening we have cookie night, […]
There’s a Map for That
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16 I think all or most people who go through JUC in one way shape form or another do the mapping assignment. What is the mapping assignment? The mapping assignment is pre-homework to complete before you arrive at JUC (whether short or long term). It consists of seven maps of Israel at different scales and of different regions. There are instructions to highlight different cities or routes. After […]
Turkish Delights
How did I get interested in this Israel stuff? Why is this such a big deal to me? This tale goes back about ten years to when I was introduced to the teachings of Ray VanderLaan. I heard him speak at church a few times and then watched his video series. He is a high school Bible teacher, but is better known for the trips he leads to Israel and Turkey. I was fascinated by his teachings of the history and culture of what is happening in the setting of the Bible. Then in the summer of 2003 I was […]