ICONOCLASTIC LOVE

Israel Pt. 3 - Experiencing Jesus

Experiencing Jesus is a little different than "Experiencing God" - but is really one of the major "Ways" we experience God...  This day in Israel was full of "Jesus experiences" for me.

On Wednesday we left the area of Galilee and began our trek to Jerusalem.  As we left town we stopped by the Jordan River for a while and all of those who wanted to be baptized in the Jordan were baptized.

It wasn't a baptism that was required by the Lord or even necessary for any ritualistic purposes - but I can only say that it was a powerful experience and a great beginning to a great day.

Humans are so experiential today, aren't we.  We want to "capture the moments" of life and experience all we can - don't we.  There's a part of us that wants to connect so deeply to our roots - to the story of God.

We want to walk where Jesus walked - lie where he layed - eat where he ate - travel where he traveled - and the baptism was sorta like that... it's not a necessary ritual identifying with him in his death, burial, and resurrection - but for me - it was a very spiritual experience.

This was the first time 2 of my friends, Mike and Kara Petty, had ever experienced baptism by immersion.  It was such a special day for all of us. 

The Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee and then into the Dead Sea. 

It's just amazing to me to put the pieces of God's story together.  It's amazing to me to soak in the miracle of the way the land of Israel is laid out and how the land tells the story of God's grace.

The Jordan is actually very low right now because Israel hasn't had any rain in 4 years. 

Thankfully, they're able to put a dam at the south end of the Sea of Galilee and create enough of a pool for baptisms.

This was a very special day.

After we left the Jordan River - we traveled down to a site where Christians were tortured and fed to the Lions in ampitheatres.  This is where the historical Gladiators fought and where many of the Roman Chariot races and fighs - like in Ben Hur - took place.

   

I remember soaking in the journey of following Jesus and what it meant to the ancient believers to say "To live is Christ, and to die is gain".

For most of us - dying with Christ only means putting down the fork when we're overeating - or biting out tongue in an argument; however, when I visit sites like this one - I just ask for mercy and an outpouring of grace and power to live a life worthy of the calling I've recieved.  For them, baptism wasn't just water - they experienced a life of dying with the Lord - and a greater hope of glory than I can imagine right now in my life.

I have a hope of heaven - but, unfortunately - I'm so distracted by so many things - this hope is not what I really really want it to be.

I want a hope that compells me.  Father give me this kind of hope today, in Jesus name!

  From there we stopped in the region of the Yahad Community - this is the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the caves. 

This was a very ritualistic and holy community that were actually "baptised" twice a day and had 2 communion/holy meals a day for cleansing and purification purposes. 

About a dozen scrolls as well as Myriad fragments of scrolls of all the books of the Bible (except the book of Esther) were found here.  The most significant was a major portion of the book of Isaiah.  Pretty amazing.  There were also major portions of 900 scrolls written during the 2nd Temple period.

From here - we went on up the mountain to Jerusalem.

This was just a very very special place.  We went to a HUGE ancient city replica and recieved a great deal of teaching from Areyah on the layout of the city.

This was great to do BEFORE we actually toured the city of Jerusalem.

I'm trying to upload a video of Areyah teaching here at this site onto youtube - but it's too big and won't upload fully.  BUMMER - I'll try to find a way to get it on here for you guys to hear... He's awesome!

  After we left this site we went to the place where some believe to be the "Garden Tomb" setting.  We spent only about 30 mintues here because they were closing. 

This shot on the right is what some believe to be Golgatha "The place of the Skull" because of the eye-like caves.  It's only several feet away from this 1st Century tomb site.

Not many believe that this is the actual place of Jesus' burial - most believe that it's at the Holy Sepulchre... I'll post pictures of it later.

  I guess the most powerful part of the day was the most "hurried" part of the day.  We were so pressed for time and my camera was dying - but I was able to take this last shot before we had to go.

This is the inside of the garden tomb - empty.

Most of the people who went in and came out were weeping.

We left the tomb and went to an area a few feet away and took communion together.  It was a very special "Experience" with Jesus.

What a way to book end an awesome day - Baptism in the Jordan River and Communion @ the Garden Tomb.

This was one of my favorite days in Israel - experientially speaking and in regards to teaching.

However - Thursday was the best teaching day.  I'll post it tomorrow.

Israel Pt. 2 Jesus Went to the Other Side...

Here's one of my favorite shots of the Sea of Galilee.  Not the modern - picturesque romantic shot - but one that I think the disciples relived over and over and over and over.

On the first morning in Galilee (Tiberius) I shot this little photo - and it's the one picture in Israel that I value the most.

I can only imagine how many times the disciples stood here remembering the Lord - remembering their calling - remembering their mission, and valuing their priceless anointing and training.

There's just so much "story" in this shot.

This is the bank of the Sea of Galilee - right on the shore where Jesus fed the 5000 - in the area where I'm sure he walked 1000 times - looking out at "The Other Side" - where he sent the spirits into 2000 pigs - delivered the man named "Legion".  The names of Jesus were very significant on this tour. 

It was fascinating to me that the demonic on "The other side" knew him as "Son of the Most High" but he had never referred to himself as such nor had anyone else.

"The Other Side" is where he wasn't permitted to go as a Jew - but went anyway because God sent him to touch the people on "The Other Side" - where the demonic reigned and the leper's were..

It was awesome to learn that when he began to travel to "The Other Side" - a furious Squall came upon them in their travels.  Satan hates when the love of God penetrates his strongly held regions and inflicted ones.

Just going back through the pictures brings back a flood of memories.

This is a shot from the top of the mountain where many believed he gave the sermon on the Mount.  On the Right is sea shore in Capernaum where Jesus lived.  I'm standing about 50 yards from what is believed to be Peter's house - the headquarters of Jesus' ministry.

Areyah told some awesome stories from here.  The most powerful was from Mark 4 where Jesus pushed out in a boat because the crowd was so pressing.

He noted that Jesus didn't have to have a boat - he could have just walked out onto the water as if it were a stage - but he didn't.  There was nothing flashy or outlandish about Jesus style.  he never abused his gifts - and abilities.  How awesome!

In my opinion - His humility was absolutely as miraculous as His resurrection.

This is the Roman Centurion's house - the one that said, "Just say the word and my servant will be healed."  The site is believed to be in the village of Capernaum - just blocks from where Jesus lived (on the right).  I really enjoyed videoing this area and soaking in the stories.  Areyah did a wonderful job painting the pictures of how the stories took place.

After we left Capernaum - we went up to Mt. Hermon very close to the Syrian border.  This is the place where the Jordan River begins.

It's also known as "The Gates of Hell".

This is the site where it is believed that Peter confessed Jesus as Lord - when Jesus asked the disciples "Who do men say that I am?

In this region - so far away from Galilee - so far north - it's amazing that he trekked that far in the first place - only to spread the kingdom and find out what the scoop was up there - but the significance of this place seemed to be about how demonic it was and how "Other Side-Like" it was.

I'm standing in front of the mountain where Peter confessed the Christ - where Jesus said, "On this rock I will build my church" - where Jesus climbed and was transfigured, - and where in 220 A.D. - ruins have been found of the Greek god Pan - and where some of the most godless and demonic rituals that have ever taken place in human history happened.

Jesus stood in front of a place known as "The Gates of Hell" and gave a declaration that the power of the Christ-confession would demolish every gate of evil known to mankind. 

We stayed at the Gai Beach Hotel in Tiberias. 

We finished the evening in style with a HUGE BBQ on the sea shore/hotel back yard. 

The Hotel was fantastic. 

Check out their site... 

The food was excellent and it was a fabulous way to end our day in the region of Galilee.

The only bad part about it was that I was without Sarah.  I thought about here the whole evening and actually had someone take a picture of me and my empty chair beside me. 

But if you look Closely - you'll see that she was with me in Spirit!  Ahhah!  The night Was magic!

I have to mention that on the previous night - Geoff Cohen and I were sitting in the lobby visiting at about 9:00.  All of the sudden - the lights went out and tech-no music came on.  We turned around and there were 5 young women dancing in bikini's and 2 guys dancing in strange outfits.  It was HILARIOUS!!!

We told everyone about it the next day and they didn't believe us.

But then - at the BBQ - the dancers showed up again!

I wanted to go up on the stage and dance with them - but we couldn't make that happen - so I had to settle for a photo.

Not the most spiritual moment of the trip - but very funny and fun!

After my night of chillin' with the dancers - I had to get baptized again in the Jordan the next morning.

I'll talk about that tomorrow.

Lots Happening with the Jenkins!

We're enjoying getting plugged in to our new life in Rockwall/Dallas.  I've been working a lot but have a lot of flexibility as well.  Sarah has been steadily getting the house more and more settled and staying home with the kids.

They do all kids of stuff throughout the week - like going to the Library, story time, park, swimming, lunch dates, etc. 

This week consisted of our first full/normal post Israel trip/traveling all over the place week.

One of the things I love about Sarah is she is always taking cute pictures of the kids to share.  This is one of several that she had taken this summer at her Dad's farm in Kentucky. 

The kids are growing a lot aren't they?

Hayden is really changing a lot.  He's getting more and more gutsy and very fun to play with and fun to watch grow up. 

He's in to Spider Man, Incredible Hulk, Power Rangers, David & Goliath, and anything else that gives him permission to be warrior like.  He loves that kind of stuff!

He has a new Spider Man outfit and wears it around the house - trying to climb the walls - all of the time.

When I was in Israel - I picked up 5 smooth stones for him because that's all he asked for.  He wanted the rock that killed Goliath!  I found some cool ones from a valley where David hung out and they are a part of our nightly story time.  So far - Kennedy has only hit him in the head with them twice.  Sarah wants me to clarify that she's a very very sweet child and she didn't mean to hurt him.

But Hayden and I know better,  the girls are always out to get us however they can.

Speaking of Kennedy - she is just adorable!  We're having so much fun watching her grow up. 

She makes the cutest noises and when she puckers up her lips for a kiss - she has the cutest little pucker and grunt -  it's just awesome! She's a great adorable baby. 

Sarah has a million outfits from Shelby's hand-me-downs and dresses her up in the cutest clothes every day.  She's a good eater and loves everybody.  She is scared of Hayden when he dresses up like the Hulk and has gotten used to Spider Man.  We eat her up!

Shelby is the busiest one in the family.  She's in the 2nd grade @ Dorris Jones Elementary from 8 - 3 every day and her after school world is filling up with fun stuff too.

Sarah loves getting her involved in things she likes to do - and since my work schedule is so flexible - we're really able to do alot together in the evenings.

On Monday's - Shelby has Rockwall Children's Choir Practice.  She was SOOOOO excited about making the chorus.  She felt like she was on High School Musical during the auditions. 

It was cute to see her getting really nervous about picking the right audition song.  She ended up singing The Blessing Song - one that she's heard every day for her 7 year life.

On Tuesday's - Shelby has soccer practice.  She hasn't made a practice yet - but her first game is this Saturday - assuming the weather permits.

On Wednesdays - We all are having dinner together at the First Baptist Church in Rockwall @ 5:00 and then Sarah and the kids are staying for Children's Choir and Bible Classes til 7:40.

After dinner - I go to G8.  This is Gateway's Men's Ministry Meeting. They meet every Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m. and Every Thursday @ 7:00 a.m.

The series this semester is called Heroes and Outlaws.  Last night Bobby Bogard introduced the series - focusing on several Biblical characters who demonstrated the extremes of Heroism and revealed their really weaker areas as well.  Most were both Heroes and Outlaws ... much like we are.

G8 has so many activities throughout the year.  Many of them are listed on their site - here.  

 I'm really excited about this coming Monday Night.  G8 has reserved the Movie Tavern at Central Park in Bedford for 200 men to watch the Monday Night showdown between Philadelphia and Dallas.  They'll have a buffet, drinks, and door prizes.  I bought my ticket plus 2 extra for two lucky friends.  Can't wait!

Today we officially joined the 24 Hour Fitness Sport Center -  Yeahhh!!!!!

I'll have my first work out there tomorrow morning @ 5:30.  I was very pleased with the facility and all the stuff they had. 

Sarah wanted to join there so that she could work out before the kids woke up or after they went to bed. 

We didn't know they had child care there with an awesome indoor playground and game area with 3-4 workers to watch the kids.  That was cool!

On Thursday's - Shelby has dance at the Girls of Grace Dance studio.  We had her in dance a few years ago - but a few months back - we visited Grace Fellowship church in Winnsboro and during one of the songs - several children went to the front and began to dance. 

Shelby went up there and it was SO special.  It brought us to tears to see the innocence of Children so free in the Lord's presence!  So - we decided then that we wanted to get her back in dance whenever we had a chance...

Sarah found Girls of Grace Dance here in Rockwall - and we gave it a shot tonight.  She LOVED it.

This Saturday - Sarah and I are going to Gateway's "Catch the Vision" course - which is the class you have to take before you join. 

We're excited about plugging in there together and going through all of their intro stuff together.  Exciting.

We're still waiting to connect more deeply with new friends - but we know it's going to happen.

Just enjoying the ride!

Israel Pt. 1 - Low Expectations

Have you ever had an idea of how something would be - and once you were encountering the expected moment - you knew right away that your expectation wasn't even in the ball park of the actual experience?

That's the way going to Israel was for me.

After over 30 years of thinking that it's just a strip of dirt and nothing more than a cool historical place - I've quickly had to re-learn how to approach the "Holy Land".  It's a very spiritual place FULL of stories - where literally every road and stone cries out, "everything that really matters in life started here and God isn't through doing his work on earth through the people who live here."

I can honestly say that when I stepped outside for the first time and looked around for 5 seconds - the Spirit of God brought a flood of feelings and emotions over me that were more than I expected to experience in the whole trip.

I think Heaven will be like that - the first encounter will shatter every one of our faint imaginations and very low expectations.

  The first night we had huge dinner with over 20 different pastors and spouses at Hotel Dan in Caesarea.  

We sat at our tables and then pastors from the area came and joined us at our tables for dinner.

I was at a table for 8-10 and there were 3 others seated with me.  When I got back to my table, I was very surprised to see who was sitting there with us.

It was Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram founders of Maoz Israel.  They're two of the major pioneers in leading Jewish people to faith in Jesus as Messiah.

Our table was very blessed to just listen in on the conversations between them and the other 2 pastors and feel a part of something huge that the Lord is doing in the land of Israel today.  It was awesome - and I believe it was just a glimpse of how the Lord was going to "surpass" my small expectations over the course of the week.

The first actual day in Israel - we started on the coast of the Mediterranean at Herod the Great's palace where the apostle Paul was imprisoned for two years in Acts 22-26.

This is a picture of Areyah - our phenomenal tour guide - teaching Acts 22-26 in the theater where Paul was tried - on the shore of the Mediterranean.

He was so anointed to make the stories come alive and bring so much flesh to the texts.  You could smell the salt of the sea - you could hear the crowds roaring in the background.  You could feel the spirit of the Lord say, "As I was with Paul - I am also with you as you walk in the power of the Lord."

This is the prison cell where Paul stayed.  He was so close to the Greek theater and the Olympic track.  He could have seen it all from his "Royal" prison cell.

The Spirit of God was so powerful to call me into a more courageous and radical followship of Jesus as Messiah.

This was the place the Lord asked me, "Jeff, will you really follow me?  Will you really?"

I was in for such a treat - to hear from the Lord and to get a sense that I had only scratched the surface of what it means to "follow Jesus".

I left this area with such an appreciation of the power and calling of the Lord.  His early disciples were filled with the Spirit in a way that I long to be filled.

Right now - I'm sitting in Starbucks in Rockwall, Tx.  I'm thinking - "how, Lord?  How do I follow you here?  What does it look like?  The consequences aren't the same - but the results in the kingdom are, right?  The results are about people coming to know you, right?  It's about inviting people into the way of your love, right?  ---  It's not about being arrested like Paul - it's about being willing to be used fully wherever I am, right?"

         

After Caesarea - we went to Mt. Carmel where Elijah called down fire from heaven with the prophets of Baal.  We experienced what a sacrifice it was for the soldiers to pour out their only water on the altar and eliminate the possibility for any illusive trickery to make a fire. 

Areyah likened it to the sacrifice of David's mighty men who traveled all the way to Bethlehem to get water for him - only to have him pour it out as an offering.

We overlooked the Kidron Valley and I got a glimpse of how possible all of the prophesies of the "end times" stuff are.

The valley's are HUGE and very capable of hosting anything the Lord want's to do in them in the future... as if he needed a "capable" piece of land in order to do whatever he plans to do.

After Mt. Carmel - we went to one of Solomon's Palaces and learned the importance of a City Gate in strategic warfare. 

I was impressed with how advanced the ancient cultures were and how much they could do with the ancient technology and man force.

This was one of Solomon's 4-5 palace sites in the region.

We also traveled through a HUGE water shoot much like the one David traveled through when he conquered the Jebusites (the future Jerusalem).  We covered so much information.  I think Areyah could have taught us as long as could have listened.  It was so much more than I can write about here.

Finally - we finished the first day on a mountain outside of Nazareth.  This was the mountain that Jesus was most likely driven to after teaching Isaiah 61 in Luke 4.  This is where the hometown people rejected him and drove him to.  This place was just so surreal.

I remember the Lord bringing a powerful wind as we were standing there and I could barely stand at one point.  I thought about my own home town and my own immediate family and the Lord began to do a work in my heart in regards to how I am to approach familiarity and people who are "familiar" with me.

He wants to call me beyond ... other people's memories of who I was or what I've done in the past.

He told me that his mercies are new every morning and that he has more in store for my life than my "past" can imagine.

The first day was a day of calling and a day of surpassing expectations.

The next day began with a run around the Sea of Galilee - I'll talk about it tomorrow.

Peace!

Is Sarah Palin Ready?

Like Mike Cope - I found these two articles to be worth noting.

Take a moment and read through the following articles.

Of course you could write similar articles about anyone - judging whether or not they're "ready" - but we can't do that.

I'm not convinced that "are they ready" is a good argument for either party - but there are some very valid points in both of these articles below:

Kathleen Parker - Postwritersgroup.com

Sally Quin - Washington Post

I'm always in favor of knowing why we believe and vote the way we do before we "jump" on board with something that is popular.

Regardless of how you vote this fall - be sure you know why you're voting the way you are and what you're voting for and against.

Should be a very entertaining 2.5 months.