Here in Your presence

"You are the reason I breathe,
You are the one that I'm living for,
Jesus my Savior and friend,
I'm giving all I am,
to follow you."

The words to the song "You Are" I've sang over and over, but singing it today at Caesarea Philippi it brought a new sense of meaning to me.

In Matthew 16:13 Jesus was at Caesarea Philippi and asked His disciples "who do men say I am?"...I've thought about that a lot today. Not who men say, but who do I say He is. My wife posted a quote by Tozer the other day on her facebook. It said; "what comes to your mind about God (Jesus), is the most important thing about YOU." I lead worship week in and week out, and I sing a lot of songs that proclaim who He is. But most of the time (unless I'm singing a song I wrote) I'm proclaiming who other's say Jesus is and I started thinking about this yesterday. Off the platform and even by myself, who do I say Jesus is by the way I live my life? Do I grumble about the obscene amount of money I owe to the federal gov't, or calmly do I trust that he is Jehovah Jirah, my provider? Do I get frustrated at illness and pain, or hold on to the hope of my healer? Sadly what my life responses say are not who I think Jesus is in my life, but mostly it just shows that I'm human and I need His grace each day.

Today we visited Tel Dan and I was amazed at how much beauty and lush vegetation surrounds this beautiful gushing spring. Even more impressive is the powerful river that flows out of it would rival any river in CO. Tel Dan also is home to many other biblical stories including golden calf worship lead by king of Israel Jeraboam. Also we saw a city gate that dates back 3800 years ago to the time of Abraham. In that gate is an archway over the door. So did the Romans invent the arch?...probably not.

Tel Dan is located in the northern most parts of Israel. We stood in several places today where we could see into the backyards of the unfriendly neighbors Lebanon and Syria. Scars of rusty tanks, mine fields and structures for precaution are constant reminders that there is no peace between the nations anytime soon in the future. It's funny when I've thought about Israel in the past I think of it as a peaceful Holy land filled with people who love and worship our God. This simply isn't the case. Christians aren't even a large percentage of this country. Arab and Jews are the main groups within the country. It amazes me to see people who live where the bible took place not believe in Jesus Christ. The presence of armed soldiers and the UN makes me appreciate the freedom we have so much more.

After the brief tour through that area we ended at my favorite stop so far, Caperum. Not only where Jesus taught, but his main ministry area. Most healing and teachings took place there. As I consider the healing I've prayed for, over and over, for Tracy in the past year I couldn't help but be emotional walking that same ground where the paralyzed walked, and sick were healed. So powerful.

All these places are so amazing, but I'd love to spend more time in these places...30 minutes a stop is to short.

Awed and inspired,

Justin

Sea of faith

So touring Israel with sleep is MUCH better.

After an amazing breakfast at our hotel by the sea we headed of to Nazareth. Jesus' ol' stompin' grounds (how's that for using an apostrophe?). Nazareth is huge and very commercialized today, but there is a certain feeling and distinctive charm there that sets it apart. Not to mention the fact that because this is where Jesus hung out a lot made it sweet also. Sitting on a mountain top; the square, several level homes seem to sit right on top of each other (when I say mountain I say that because they say it here, it's more like a glorified hill). Olive trees are everywhere here also. We went to see a place in Nazareth where they set up a city that looked more like the first century. They showed us how wine, olive oil, and yarn were made.

After Nazareth we visited Mt Arbel where several people hid from King Herod in caves on the cliff side. The Crusaders also would have used them also.

Then we went and had a fish lunch at St. Peter's Restaurant by the Sea of Galilee.

The last two trips at the end of the day were the most meaningful as we went on a boat out on the Sea and worshipped. Just being out there where Jesus calmed the sea and walked out on those same waters was amazing. We also walked the mount where Jesus gave His most famous message.
Sitting there listening to the words of the beatitudes you got a true sense of how crazy, yet hopeful that message must have seemed.

I could have stayed there and on the Sea just sitting there worshipping. So much of how Jesus lived is newly shaping my understanding of His words.

My response is worship, as I'm deeply affected when I consider it all.

Jesus was made more real to me today. More than I thought possible.

Must...have...sleep

Cozy brand new Mercedes tour van sitting in a sea of cars in northern Israel. So cozy, in fact, that it has wifi so that I can post my blog for today.

It's been a rough day, but amazing in what we saw. We got in at 5:30am local time running on the last boost of energy from our 3hr sleep that most of us had been running on for the past 96 hours. Oh, and remember we did a 5 hour tour of L town yesterday too.

British Air continues to have smashing service as my guitar showed up unscathed. All luggage in fact was right on time and all there.

The reality of actually being in the Holy Land has not set in yet. Even as I type this my eyes glaze over wishing traffic wasn't so start and stop so I could sleep. Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel and Haifa seem like a dream.

This morning we had breakfast with what resembled a farming commune. Amazing food, just items you'd expect to see at dinner. Humus, veggies, cheeses...all very Mediterranean.

I lead a song of worship on one of the most awesome stages ever as I lead at the amphitheater at Caesarea. Built in 22BC, it made the London theaters (like the one that we saw yesterday) seem second rate. All the touring groups stopped to listen as I lead "open the eyes of my heart". It was a neat opportunity.

Then we went to Megiddo or Armageddon where the final battle will take place. Amazing city built on the top of a hill. Then it was off to Mt Carmel the place where Elijah called down fire to shut the faces of the prophets of Baal. That was an awesome setting for worship.

Finally we met a group of Ugandan ministers who have a church in Israel. Really great people who have hearts like gold. We were able to leave them with a CWC album.

Now it's off to our hotel on the Sea of Galilee. Sleep is within our grasp!

Shalom everyone!

Justin

Me Likey London

Brick buildings with steep roofs, kids with poofy hats and big guns, intricate sculptures that seem lifelike, delightful people with fancy accents. I felt like I was walking around in a mix between a Charles Dickinson novel and The Born Identity movie. Every corner seemed to just drip with history. Every building is beautiful with its own charming character.

Didn't sleep much last night on the plane, but it wasn't British Airways fault they are amazing! I want to fly with these wonderful people everywhere I go. Best crew, best pilots, best food (for coach) and nicest plane. Seriously, if you gotta go somewhere over here, trust me, fly BA.

The team is fatigued, draped over luggage, sleeping on benches here in Heathrow, till we find out which gate we are at.

Found a place in a quiet area to get some internet, rest and food in the monstrosity that is Terminal 5. I even managed to call my wife and pay only 1 cent/min.! Can't wait to move on, but it's good to have the down time.

Tomorrow we hit the ground running in Tel Aviv with a trip to Caesarea to see the Roman amphitheater and aqueduct. We'll also visit Mount Carmel where I'll attempt to call down fire (not) and we'll end the day with a drive to Haifa.

Looking forward to Israel, but this layover in London was a great treat along the way.

Bloody delightful it was!

Holy Land, here I come...

Waking up to an inch of snow, packing a few more items, went to the bank to get cash, dog food (for the dogs, not me), scooped the walks, kissed my wife good bye, cried a little, rode to DIA, checked in and now I'm waiting to go.

Our group is large, but close like family. Conversations are easy and abundant. There's an anticipation in the group to board, but not to sit for 10 hours on a plane.

My mind still races as I sit here and people watch. "Did I pack everything?", "Does it matter if I didn't?", "what is Israel really like?", "What will London be like?", "Man, I wish Tracy was here."
Leaving Tracy at home was the hardest part of this trip. You don't know how much someone is a part of your heart till you kiss them goodbye for two weeks and you turn to mush.

The flight crew just showed up for our 777 plane (which is a beast by the way) their group was about as big as ours. I've already noticed how much more pleasant and accommodating British Air staff is from our normal American Airlines and Delta crews we usually fly with.

Well, we are boarding soon. Hopefully I can post in London where we have a 13hr layover, but if not it'll be Wednesday...hopefully.

Shalom!

The Countdown...

The house is quiet. A bird outside and the sniffing of AJ (one of our pugs) at my feet under the desk, are the only sounds to be heard. It's an unusual quiet, but a welcomed one in the crazy life that Tracy and I lead. A life, that as of late, has been anything, but quiet. My heart longs for peace, solitude, and a visit from an old friend...I think his name is "inspiration". The well isn't dry, but it's definitely not gushing.

A few months ago I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. As a Christian growing up I've read stories from the bible and tried so hard to picture in my mind what the setting was like. Trying always to picture a different land in my mind's eye, but only knowing what I'd seen and what had been told to me or shown to me in pictures. Well in 10 days the journey begins as 40 people from our church family and I head to Israel.

I sit here and ponder what to pack knowing that all I've really accumulated so far is the converters for the electrical outlets. Important, but I'm pretty sure I should take other stuff too. With all the hustle and bustle in preparation for this trip I find myself thinking about the things this trip might help me unpack.

It has been a trying season in our home. Tracy's still on the mend from her surgery last October. In trying to be the "knight in shining armor" I've realized there's no battle to fight and I'm ill equipped to fix what has been broken inside of her. Only God can, and only God will. I'm to only listen and support, and wait and trust (difficult things for any man). It's left me feeling many things; inadequate, confused, angry, pained, worried, challenged, powerless, and weak. However, one feeling remains that I've felt from the beginning...HOPE.

I don't think Israel will be a trip that will somehow make all that better. In fact, it's definitely going to be hard to be away from my girl for two weeks. It does me good, however, to know that she will be traveling to visit a good friend in New York while I'm gone, and I know that trip will do more healing than almost anything else I could've got her for her birthday. Time away will break the fallow ground for us both.

"sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD"
                                       -Hosea 10:12

As I prepare for this trip, this scripture has been stirring in my heart. That's what my heart has felt like. Fallow. Like a field that hasn't been plowed for planting in a long time. Now, I must admit, I'm never excited about the plowing process, but I know brokenness is required of me from the Lord for Him to do a new work in my life.

I read an article yesterday saying that Israel has been in a record drought since 2003. The Sea of Galilee has dropped in it's level about 5 yards because of the pathetic rainfall (as a Coloradan I can kinda understand what this is like). Well, after 8 years of drought, this year they have seen record rainfall. In fact 29 days of rain last month. They haven't seen this much rain in 65 years. The Sea is even up a half yard.

Things I do know from reading the bible growing up are; deserts are a part of life's seasons, fallow land will reap new growth and trials are temporary because God is faithful.

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

                                      -Isaiah 43:19