Israel 2013 - Day 10

Travelling to and from Israel is an interesting experience... even for those used to international travel.

Extra security steps, heightened questioning and a relaxed but focused intensity dominates the mindset of the security people you interact with while travelling to Israel. Don't be surprised if you're other travels to nations in the region or the fact you have friends or family in the region mean you get to enjoy what i call the "special treatment". That's when you are asked to report to the gate early at your departure point, be segregated from the other passengers and then be given an even more thorough questioning and screening. Don't freak out or be concerned. They're just doing their job. You'll get on the plane and have a great time.

Travellers from the Holy Land are advised to pack light in terms of souvenirs, be respectful and remember they aren't looking for you... in large measure. Be truthful, respectful and short in your answers. No worries. You'll be soon be through security and able to enjoy the best airport shopping in the world at David Ben Gurion airport.

Israel 2013 - Day 9

We spent all day driving down out of the Galilee to Tel Aviv to catch our flight early Sunday morning at 00:50am.

We visited Cana, Nazareth overlook, Nazareth Village, Caesarea Maritima and the ancient sea port and city Jaffa.

Israel 2013 - Day 8

The 1st of our final 2 days in Israel were spent touring Galilee. We saw Tel Dan, Casearea Philipi and the Mount of Beattitudes. We even ate St. Peter's fish (tilapia) on the shores of the lake.

It is hard to over-state the importance of "The Galilee" to understanding Christianity... 2nd temple Judaism and the modern history of this land, its people and their relations with the world.

Israel 2013 - Day 7

This was the 2nd of our 2 days of retreat with Dr. Charles and Mrs. Hillary Price on the Sea of Galilee.

Here is a picture on my Instagram feed of just how amazing this body of water is... particularly in this part of the world. This is the Sea of Tiberius taken from the shores of the village of Kefar Nahum... the Village of Nahum... where Simon, Andrew, James and John were all from and where the Bible says Jesus returned "home" to in order to minister, heal and preach in the region of the Galilee. 

http://instagram.com/p/hBKFUUPV1p/

Israel 2013 - Day 6

Israel 2013 - Day 6

So today was the 1st of 2 days of Retreat with Dr. Charles and Hillary Price at Ma'agdan Kibbutz. This kibbutz is on the south shore of the Sea of Galilee. For pictures of both Charles and Hillary speaking see my Instagram page ... jacobtwotwocan

http://instagram.com/p/g-lh1ivV-C/

Hillary spoke about going from bitterness (Luke 24:18) to burning for the Lord (Luke 24:32). She shared a wonderful quote from Hessian "Christianity is not about getting people into Heaven but about getting God into people." 

Israel 2013 - Day 4

Israel 2013 - Day 4

With a bit later start (830am) we were off in the bus to tour the Dead Sea region of Israel. We went from nearly 2500 feet above sea level to 1200 feet below sea level in less than 12 miles. We travelled past the West Bank city of Jericho which contains archaeological remains of continuous human habitation going back at least 11,000 years... making it one of the candidates for the "oldest continuously inhabited places" on Earth. It was along a route similar to the one we took, that Jesus' character from the Parable of the Good Samaritan fell among thieves. (Luke 10:30)

http://instagram.com/p/g3AEMDPV8-/

Israel 2013 - Day 5

Israel 2013 - Day 5

A travel day. We took 8 hours to make the 2 hour bus trip from Jerusalem to Tiberius in The Galilee stopping at Caesarea Maritima (Acts 24:24), Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), The Precipice Lookout (Luke 4) and Nazereth Village (Matthew 13:55) for some amazing vistas, experiences and opportunities.

Some "quick hits" about Caesarea Maritima:

• Herod the Great built this port city as his capital in hope that it would become a world trade centre... which it did. 
• Paul was taken there under guard after being arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 23:23) 
• Paul was imprisoned there by Felix for 2 years and used his imprisonment to preach Christ (Phillipians 1:11-14)
• Caesarea was conquered and ruled successively by the Byzantines, the Muslims, the Crusaders and then the Muslims finally in 1265 AD before being abandoned till the 20th century in large measure. 
• Madonna and Rihanna (i am told) have both performed at the rebuilt and reconditioned ancient Theatre which fronts the Mediterrean coast in Caesarea. 

Perhaps most importantly at Casesarea was found the only known archaeological evidence of Pontius Pilate. A dedication stone containing his name and title - as listed in the gospels - was found at Caesarea definitively supporting the Bible's claims about his existence and place in history. Jesus truly did - as the Creed says - "suffer under Pontius Pilate".

Israel 2013 - Day 3

Israel - Day 3

Today started with a trip to Yad Vashem... The Hand (meaning Memorial) of Names. Yad Vashem is the Israeli Holocaust Museum. Having visited the US Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. and Yad Vashem twice I still never cease to be horrified at the darkness and inspired by the light human beings are capable of. There is really nothing to say about these places: their images, words and artifacts. They simply must be experienced and reflected upon personally.

When we were at Yad Vashem today, the President of France was about to visit as well. As a result there were plenty of soldiers, police and new recruits there getting the place ready for his arrival. I took a picture of several Amharic (Ethiopian) IDF members with our bus captain who is also Amharic and posted it on my Instagram: jacobtwotwocan Go there to see it.

We then made our way in quick succession to Mount Zion... the 3rd of 3 mountains that makes up the city of Jerusalem: Mount of Olives and Mount Moriah are the other 2. On Mount Zion are many important sites including The Upper Room (Luke 22:12), the House of Caiaphas (John 18:28) and the tomb of David (1 Kings 2:10). After seeing them we got back on the bus for the 1st of 2 highlights of the day... our visit to the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:3). So much of Jesus ministry and teaching occurred on or around the Mount of Olives. He entered the city triumphantly from there. He was betrayed there. He was tested there. The views of the Old City and surrounding Judean countryside are worth the price of coming to Israel alone.

After lunch a lot of walking around the Old City we visited the Southern steps late in the afternoon where Jesus would have taught the people as they went in and out of the temple (Luke 20:1). There is a great picture and more commentary on the steps on my Instagram page.

After dinner and darkness had fallen we returned to the Old City by bus and visited The Kotel and the Western Wall Tunnels. The Kotel is sometimes called The Wailing Wall or more correctly The Western Wall. It is the holiest site that Jews can currently pray at in the world. The Isareli Antiquities Authority have excavated the entire 1860 foot length of the western retaining wall that bounded the temple complex constructed by King Herod. The tunnel(s) - yes there are multiple ones now - run under the existing Muslim Quarter of the Old City and are not only archaeologically fascinating but politically very sensitive. For more information about The Western Wall Tunnels read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Wall_Tunnel

Israel 2013 - Day 2

Israel 2013 - Day 2


Today - as has been noted in the comments - began at the "end" of my usual Holy Land trips with a service and communion with Dr. Charles and Hilary Price in The Garden Tomb (John 19:41). Wonderful, wonderful time of teaching and fellowship.

We then travelled by bus around to The Lion Gate on the east side of Jerusalem and walked all 14 Stations of the Cross ending at the Church of Holy Sepulchre. My favourite station is Station V - Simon of Cyrene carries the cross (Matthew 27:32). I love it because it shows the true humanity of our Lord... so overcome with spiritual and physical suffering he needed help to make outside the city to Golgotha (Philipians 2:8) but also because it shows us - as his disciples - that when we go through trials, there is no trial that we can encounter which our Lord cannot relate to (Hebrews 4:15). Along the very crowded streets of The Muslim Quarter we passed shop after shop and were jostled a lot by the thronging crowds.

Israel 2013 - Day 1

Israel 2013 - Day 1

Today we landed in Tel Aviv around noon after our 11 hour flight from Toronto.

Tel Aviv is beside the ancient port city of Joppa where Jonah caught and ship to Tarshih as he was running from God (Jonah 1:3).

We then visited Emmaus on the way "up" Highway 1 to Jerusalem (Luke 24:13).

"Waithood" - A key to understanding the real motivations of Terrorism

Fascinating talk about the connection between "waithood" (unemployment) and terrorism.

Stephen Colbert channels his inner Lincoln

Despite the satire, humour and many, MANY camera throws, Stephen Colbert's comedy can't hide the power of the words and message of Lincoln's finest address.


My favourite from that site is Jimmy Carter's.

Best "Trekkie" Car Commercial Yet

Fair, balanced, informative and wide-ranging CNN treatment of the #RobFord fiasco

Off to The Land with Living Truth

Thursdsay November 14th till Sunday November 24th I am in Israel with Dr. Charles Price and Living Truth Ministries. The trip is being planned and organized by Christian Journeys Inc. and my friend Brian Watt. I am going as a volunteer staff member for Christian Journeys Inc. My job is to help facilitate the trip experience for Living Truth's people by providing biblical teaching, spiritual encouragement, physical help and just general logistical support. Very excited. I'll be using this space to photo blog and journal about my trip.

Pizza Oven has new door! Plus Glengate Community Garden wins an award!

The community wood-fired pizza oven has a new lockable door! 

Fantastic!

Together with Project Share, Our Lady of Scapular Catholic Church and Glengate win environmental awards for our work on community gardens! 

Pizza Oven Training Day! 

The fire is lit! 

We have to use well dryed hard wood. This is apple donated by a local farmer that supports Project Share. 

Felix giving us instructions on how to get the oven going correctly. 

Pizza's ready!

Mushroom and Onion as well as Pepperoni pizzas cooking. 

Felix, Marino, Phillippe and Adreana posing with me for the team. 

Rick and Hope Reichert's visit to @glengatecma

Ray Peters introducing his classmates and C&MA International Workers Rick and Hope Reichert

Rick talking

Hope Talking

Bishop Atsango's Visit to Niagara Falls and Glengate Alliance Church

Bishop Julius Atsango from Eldoret Kenya visited Niagara Falls and Glengate Alliance Church from October 27th to November 11th 2013. Here is the facebook page of his ministry:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cornerstone-Assembly-Eldoret/275423635846470

Here are some pictures and descriptions of just some of his activities while amongst us...

With Elder David and elder Ray, Bishop Julius tours Galcom International in Hamilton. 

Bishop Juluis being interviewed at Galcom for their program Impact Radio.