Opinion. Observation. Application.
I decided to hike up Masada today. Since I don’t have a “bucket list” like some people, I don’t think doing it was ever on it. I just never had, and wanted to give it a try. Every time we ride the cable car up and down Masada, people see people on the trail and ask about the “snake path.” My down-low on the snake path: If you can do cardiac rehab, you can do the Masada snake path to the top!
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
Forty five people in the bottom of a pit together singing “we are standing on Holy Ground” is a moving moment. The “pit” is the one in the High Priest house where they put the worst of the religious criminals before their death sentences. The one we were in is the one where Jesus spent the last night of His life. The presence there is not describable in words. I can barely write about it, but these are bonus days for me, and it is important for me to face up to those things that can’t be described and at least try. We should always at least try…….
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
Arriving at the Holy City of Jerusalem was a special time for the Tour Group, but for us as well. Even though we spent 4 nights here a week ago, it is still special to stand at the top of the Mount of Olives and look out over Jerusalem and then walk the Palm Sunday Route down to the Garden of Gethsemane. One of the ladies in the group sang an impromptu version of “Give me Jesus” while in the Garden together. It was a powerful moment. We had a bunch of powerful moments today.
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
February 6th is my mom’s birthday. We were on the Sea of Galilee while Mom turned 87 years old in Burlington, Iowa. I often think about how much Mom loved the Bible stories, yet never traveled far from home. I don’t think she would have ever come to the Holy Land, yet she believes. Belief is the most important thing. We walk by “faith” not by “sight.” Happy Birthday, Mom!
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
The wind on top of Mount Carmel was the strongest I have ever experienced. “Wind” in Scripture means “change.” The “winds of change” are ALWAYS good. Change makes us nervous, but we need to always go with it. We should always be open, ready, and accepting of change. Change is not only good, but provides us with progression and development.
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
It was a delight to be able to welcome a Tour Group to the Holy Land for a pilgrimage. We really enjoyed our time checking out new sites for a second-timers Tour, but also enjoyed meeting up with these 45 pilgrims and go to old Joppa to start the Tour. The group got to Tel Aviv later in afternoon, but we were able to spend an hour visiting the port of Joppa and Simon the Tanner’s House (Acts 10). It is always exciting to start a Tour.
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
Shiloh is a significant Old Testament Biblical site. It is where the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was located. It is also where Eli, the High Priest, raised young Samuel as a prophet to the people of God. It was a great experience being able to take a tour of the site. The Guide was a Jewish man who feels a “call by God” to Guide at Shiloh. I was taken in as much by the Guide’s passion to the site and I was to the actual site itself. The Guide’s passion and the site together was an intense experience. It reminds me that Christians should have the same kind of passion about our relationship with Christ.
Every day is a Bonus Day.
Much Love,
Marc
We had a first ever visit to Temple Mount, but since it is under Muslim control, we weren’t allowed in any building. This is the place that Abraham brought his only son Isaac to be sacrificed before God stopped him. The weirdest thing we noticed was how many armed forces were guarding the inside of what we know as the Eastern Gate (the Gate Jesus is coming back through at His Second Coming). The legend is, the Muslims guard the Eastern Gate because they hear a Jewish King is going to try to come through it. The thought of them the Muslims guarding it always makes me chuckle. I’m pretty sure the archangel, Michael, is going to make short work of the Muslim Army on duty on that day!
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
What was supposed to me a rare, once in a lifetime treat, called “the Shabbat of a Lifetime” turned into something richer than that. Called SOAL, this dinner the night Shabbat starts in Jerusalem, Israel, gives a guest an “inside look” at the experience of the Shabbat dinner. What happened to us was we were guests with a Tour Group from Australia. The lady sitting next to me was from Tasmania. TASMANIA….of course I had to ask if she ever saw a “Tasmanian Devil” (of the cartoon fame). Tasmania is an hour air plane ride from Southern Australia, so it is down there quite a ways. Sitting and having dinner with 30 Australians during Shabbat was certainly a once in a lifetime experience!
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
Spending some time in the Golan Heights (not far from the Syrian Border), we were able to get to Beth-saida (hometown of Andrew, Philip, and Simon), AND where Jesus spent some time. Driving through the West Bank toward and entering the Holy City, Jerusalem, is always a thrill. I have learned to never take days of new discoveries for granted.
Every day is a Bonus Day!
Much Love,
Marc
