To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket-safe, dark, motionless, airless-it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
Sea of Galilee…like Jesus, I took a nap on the boat, but this time there was no storm.
Hebron
Went to the old city of Hebron (in the biblical land of canaan) today between clinics. The city is currently divided, half Palestinian, half Israeli.
We walked through the city to the mosque which is where some Bible Greats are buried. All of the burial cites have been confirmed so it was quite the out of body experience.
First we saw Isaac and Rebekah. Their tombs lay next to each other inside the mosque. Then there was Jacob’s tomb not too far away.
Then we went through the checkpoint to go to the Israeli side. We then walked up the stairs to the synagogue. Inside was Abraham’s tomb. I couldn’t believe it! So surreal! Right next to him was Sarah.
What an amazing day that truly strengthened my faith!
Day One
Busy day! We had our first day of basketball clinics for the local kids. First one was in the morning at the Catholic Action gym. The kids were really fun to work with!
After we went to lunch at one of the best falafel restaurants in the area. I’ve been surprised with how much I like middle eastern food.
After lunch we headed over to the church of the nativity, the spot where Jesus was born. It was pretty surreal contemplating a virgin birth of the savior of mankind in a spot like that.
Later we had our second clinic at a private school. The kids were more privileged than most in the Palestinian area, so they were a little bit more stubborn than the other kids. I was pretty worn out after that one.
That’s day one of our 2-a-day basketball clinics (for 10 straight days)! Inshallah I will make it through today!
Hopped in a taxi, rode it to the bus stop. Hopped on the bus and rode it to Jerusalem. First stop was the Temple Mount.
Bible scholars have marked the Temple Mount as the cite where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac. At the top of the hill is a temple called the Dome of the Rock. Inside is apparently the rock that Abraham was going to make the sacrifice on. It is also the location of Solomon’s Temple, which was destroyed. The western wall is still there. Muslims believe that this spot is where Muhammad ascended to heaven.
After, we walked over to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus took his disciples to pray. We walked through the garden of gethsemane where Jesus was taken prisoner. Then we sat down and looked across the Kidron Valley towards Jerusalem (the City of David). The eastern gate is visible from the Mount of Olives, which is where Jesus is believed to enter upon his return. It is also the gate that Jesus walked through on palm sunday.
Other areas of note, the church of the holy sepulcre (cite that is thought to be where Jesus was crucified), the pool of bethesda, and the temple which is supposedly the location where Jesus went and prayed before his capture.
It was a pretty breathtaking day being in the Holy City. I don’t know how to describe it other than it being the City of David, who was the man after God’s own heart.
Today in Bethlehem
I woke up this morning around 5:30. Couldn’t sleep because of the time change. So, I turned on the light in my hotel room and grabbed the word. Inspired by my current location, I decided to open it up to Luke. I can’t really describe the feeling of reading about the birth of Jesus…in the very town where Jesus was born!
Growing up, Bethlehem was a town with a big star over it and a dirty manger with sheep and donkeys. It’s pretty surreal to be walking the very streets that Marry and Joseph tread in preparation for Jesus’ birth.
Today we are going to the Temple Mount, which, according to bible scholars is the place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son Isaac as well as King Solomon’s temple. Muslims believe that it is the site where Mohammad ascended to heaven.
Excited to be here and looking forward to what the day brings.
Inshallah (if God wills) I will write again tonight.
Salam
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Barron’s newest song. Really proud of my brother and his music.
I think about a lot of things.
My future…
career
wife
kids
life.
My present…
friends
school
family.
My past…
mistakes
accomplishments
emptiness
fulfillments
longings
desires.
No more…
I LIVE FOR HIM.
