Risky Business

There seems to be a sort of disconnect here. We call ourselves pilgrims on a journey to this sacred place, yet here we are--vying for time on the group computer so that we can check our e-mail through the wireless connection in the hotel lobby when there is a magnificent view of the place where Jesus walked on water right in front of our faces! We yearn for our cell phones even while we are on a cruise around the Sea of Galilee seeing such places as the Mount of the Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tiberius and even the River Jordan. ( I'm as guilty as the rest of craving computer time--and am tempted to turn on my cell phone to see if it still works!)!

In Jesus' day, the Jews made an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover. It was a risky trip; the roads were rocky and there was the danger of being encountered by bandits. No, they weren't riding in an airconditioned coach but making the trek on foot. But yet they went to the place where God was calling them--to his holy temple.

And so here I am on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land asking myself the question,"Where is the risk in my pilgrimage?" Should I be content with the fancy hotel, delicious food and warm bed in this place where it is business as ususal? Is it all about visiting the historic sites and hearing fact after fact? I don't know. But maybe, just maybe it will suffice to look for the extraordinary within the ordinary--and to put the camera down long enough to see it!

Rocky Road

I had the opportunity to go for a swim in the Sea of Galilee today. Actually, the call it "the lake." No matter where you are, you can see across to the other side.

It did remind me of "the lake," Lake Blanche, where I spent my summers as a child. The water was clear and the bottom was sandy. It was, however, a balancing act to get to the water over the rocky path. Once I got in the water, I found that I could go out quite deep before it was over my head, a good thing, since my goggle strap snapped before I could even dunk my head! The water temperature was delightful, the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

But when I got out of the water, I had a little problem. The path that I had followed to the lake had all but disappeared. I went this way and that, but couldn't find the way back. The only way out was over some very large rocks, and I didn't know how I was going to climb them alone. But as I headed toward the treacherous path, a voice called out to me, "Nancy! Wait! I'll give you a hand." There it was: the hand of the one who will reach out to us no matter how rocky the road to discipleship is--we only have to take it.

Am I in Iowa? or Israel?

Twenty-eight hours and thirty two minutes from door to door, here I am in Israel. Funny, though, that one of the first things that I noticed were the corn fields along with straw bales and beef cattle grazing in the fields among citrus fields, olive groves and bougainvilla! Flights were on time, meals were served (Lufthansa is a first-class airline) and wine was free, despite the short night. I, among not so many, had my luggage on arrival, although it was interesting to get the person at the Delta gate to check my bag all the way to Tel Aviv!

You might say that I've "gonet'the lake" as our hotel looks out on the Sea of Galilee, which they refer to as "The lake". This morning we visited the church of the Loaves and Fishes (the feeding of the Five Thousand) and the church of the Primacy of Peter, where Jesus appeared to Peter after the resurrection. ("Who do you say I am? Feed my sheep." )

Lunch was in a local place with a delicious falafel sandwich and "Hebrew" coke right out of the glass bottle like in the olden days.

Hope you're enjoying the trip so far--I am (although my blog page first came up in Hebrew!) Feel free to look at our group blog http://lptshlp2009.blogspot.com

Going, Going...

The time has finally come! I'm ready to pack my bag for my trip to the Holy Land which will be taking place in mid-June. I'll be spending two weeks traveling with twenty-one other pastors from across the country and from a variety of denominations. Bethlehem, Galilee and Jerusalem are some of the places that are on our itinerary. We will have a chance to dunk in the Dead Sea and celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on the Mount of the Beatitudes. I've been looking forward to this spiritual renewal pilgrimage for over a year!

I am what you might call a world traveler, having visited Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Morocco. I've filled out customs declarations and had my passport stamped many times. I've stood in line to check my bags. I've stood in line to collect my bags, hoping that I wouldn't be the victim of a wayward suitcase. By the way, are you aware of the fact that there is now a $15 fee for one piece of checked luggage? Fortunately, though, you can check it through to your final destination.

Speaking of luggage, I am a bit preoccupied with what to take with me, wondering what will fit in my brand-new duffel bag. I chose red so that it would be easy to spot coming off the luggage carousel. It needs to be light enough so that I can lift it and not crammed so full that I don't have room for a souvenir or two. As for doing laundry along the way--who knows when, where, or how!

I'm ready to embark on this sacred journey, opening up my red duffel bag so that God can fill it with his grace, enabling me to lighten my load and leave my earthly baggage behind. My holy passport is ready, identifying me as a child of God. I don't really have to worry about the laundry issue, for God will provide me with clean clothes of forgiveness along the way. I'll be wearing worship and unpacking prayer as I travel the road of discipleship with my spiritual companions, with the assurance that my grace-filled suitcase will accompany me. But most of all, I won't have to worry about paying the extra fee to check my bag to my final destination, for Jesus has already paid the price.