Tuesday Tidbits

“You are the light of the world.” A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

World events occur in life, and the exact place and time are seared into our memories. Such times for me would include the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle, the wedding and death of Princess Diana, the attack on 9/11, and now the death of Queen Elizabeth. I have never considered myself a “Royals Watcher.” Still, I did sport the Diana haircut at one time and bought, on a payment plan, the very miniature version of her diamond and sapphire engagement ring. Watching the numerous TV broadcasts of the Queen’s life on the day of her death was intriguing and inspiring. Even though I knew she was the head of the Church of England, I was ignorant of her deep, genuine personal faith. It is always a comfort when a death occurs to know that the person was a Believer, but I admit, I was saddened to realize that I was unaware of her abiding reliance on His guidance. Maybe I would have paid more attention to her speeches or actions and perhaps been more of a “Royals Watcher.”     

As a Christian, I believe those whose lives we touch should be able to see and feel our faith. The 1960’s spiritual song, “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love,” was one of the first non-traditional songs I learned as a youth in the church, and I have never forgotten it or its message. The song lyrics teach that we are one in the Spirit, we will walk, work and praise together, and most importantly, our love for each other and humanity will be visible to the world.  Inspired by the thirteenth chapter of John, Jesus is in the upper room sharing a meal with His disciples, and the preparations for foot washing have been made. He proceeds to wash the feet of the disciples, leaving us with a ponderable example of genuine humility and love. It is here that Jesus says, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:34-35). Talk about a moment and place marked in time! Jesus was bold and clear and His message was simple. The world will identify us by our love for each other. With all the cultural identity issues of today, this is one identity we should not be ashamed of or hide (2 Tim 1:8, Rom 1:16, Mark 4:21).

In the Queen’s 1975 Christmas broadcast, she reminded listeners that “Jesus’s simple message of love has been turning the world upside down ever since (His birth).” It was a reminder that our actions change lives. I’ll leave you with her example, “If you throw a stone into a pool, the ripples go on spreading outwards. A big stone can cause waves, but even the smallest pebble changes the whole pattern of the water. Our daily actions are like those ripples, each one makes a difference, even the smallest.” And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture is of the site of the upper room in Mt Zion in Jerusalem 

“God said to the people of Israel: “I am the Lord your God …Do not worship any god except me. Do not make idols…….Don’t bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love” Exodus 20: 1-5

There are certainly seasons of life when you just don’t know for sure what God wants you to do in the big picture of life but one thing is for sure when we worship God we are always in His will. Jesus told the woman at the well, “But the time is coming-indeed it’s here now-when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way” (John 4:23). The intriguing message of this verse is that the God in heaven is looking throughout the earth for people to worship Him. Worship is the passion of God and He is actively searching for worshippers.

Worship causes the presence of God to be experienced and felt by His people. Whether by singing, praying, praising, or meditating on His word, His Spirit envelopes you and draws you closer to Him. C.S. Lewis wrote, “it is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men…even in Judaism the essence of the sacrifice was not really that men gave bulls and goats to God, but that by their doing so God gave Himself to men.” King David said, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4). King David’s greatest yearning was to worship the Lord because he knew in this one thing all other things are found. David Jeremiah teaches that “worship needs to be in the center of all that we do. It cannot be peripheral. It cannot be an addendum. It has to be the center of all that we do. Yes, we need to witness and we need to work, but until worship is central, all those other things will be a struggle and will not flow as they ought from our worship of the Lord.”

I have had the opportunity to experience some incredible times of corporate worship. The scriptures teach us to sing to the Lord with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:18-19, Col 3:16). There is great controversy in the church today over what style of music we use in worship but these verses clearly show that even in the early church there was no one particular style. I have worshipped on the Southern steps of the temple in Jerusalem with familiar hymns and soothing praise songs and felt the presence of God. And just this weekend, I raised my hands in worship to the songs of the contemporary Christian pop/rock duo, For King and Country, as their electrifying, music in an outdoor arena reverberated off the mountains of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Two very different styles of music with one very common thread, God was there, in the midst of the worship. He found His worshippers. Will He find you worshipping today? And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

Pictures are of worship on the Southern steps of temple in Jerusalem and For King and Country concert in Woodstock, VA      

“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” John 11:27

About twenty-five miles Northeast of the Sea of Galilee is the Golan Heights and, in that region, at the foothills of Mount Hermon, Caesarea Philippi can be found. It is a stunning region of Israel located on a terrace with caves and cliffs overlooking a lush fertile valley. It is home to one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan River and the abundant water supply has not only contributed to prolific agriculture but was very attractive for religious worship. Numerous temples were built in the city in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Pagan worshipers would make sacrifices to the Roman god, Pan, at the mouth of the cave. To the pagan mind, the cave at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld (Hades) and people performed detestable acts of worship to their false gods. King Herod built a magnificent temple of white marble for the godhead Caesar also in the area.

In the New Testament, this region is noted as the northernmost limit of Jesus’s ministry. Matthew 16:13 finds Jesus and His disciples coming to the area to escape the crowds that had gathered around the Sea of Galilee and to be alone. It is significant to grasp that Jesus brought His disciples to a place filled with temples of Baal worship. At least fourteen temples to date have been uncovered. It was a place shrouded by ancient gods. And yet this is the place, He chose to reveal Himself to his disciples and announce his coming death (Matt 16:13-21). Think about the scene, Jesus and the disciples were in a place overflowing with pagan temples, a towering white marble temple to Caesar commanded attention, and the headwaters of the Jordan River sprang from the cave, and He decides to ask, “Who do people say the Son of Man is and who do you say I am?” at that moment in time and in that geographic location.

Many scholars and our tour guide, Ronnie believe Jesus intentionally set himself against the backdrop of all the world’s religions to ask who He is.  And Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). As Peter answers can you hear the rushing of the Jordan as it spills from the cave? “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38). And the irony cannot be overlooked that Christ’s reply to Peter “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt 16:18) was at the site of the Pan cave, the worshipped gate to Hades.

In our culture today, we are surrounded by false religions and idol worship just as Jesus and his disciples were in beautiful Caesarea Philippi. But not even the revered gods of today such as prosperity, success, image, and self can compare to Christ. His power and authority are unstoppable. He is still Lord of heaven and earth and will reign forever more! Hallelujah! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.   

“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires” Psalm 37: 3-4

This week’s verse is probably very familiar to you. Besides being trendy as the focus of Christian artwork and décor, there are innumerable sermons to be found on the verse and it’s often one of the verses we commit to memory. But what does the verse really mean? And have you ever had an experience where you have felt God has blessed you with the desires of your heart? As I have matured as a Christian, I’ve become cautious of ever considering a single verse in isolation and always endeavor to discern the context of the passage to reveal the meaning of the verse. Unfortunately, Psalm 37:4 is one that has been interpreted in a vacuum far too often and led to discouragement for many.

In the entirety of the Psalm (which I would encourage you to read), King David is imploring the Israelites to keep trusting God. Even though they are witnessing evil men doing evil things, living the high life, and thriving while the faithful Israelites are struggling, David, reminds them that “the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones” (vs 28). It’s a passage about when life is not going our way, God is still in control. It’s truly a life lesson, not always an easy one and one most of us learn over and over again.

The Psalm instructs us to delight in the Lord. To delight in someone or something is to find joy in that person or thing. The first truth in Psalm 37:4 is that our foremost, sincere desire must be for God and recognize that nothing and no one can completely satisfy us other than God.  In a world that has everything one can imagine at our fingertips, this is a truth that must be intentionally sought after and nurtured through a deep, personal relationship. God is not a genie in a bottle that we can call up occasionally, ask for our heart’s desire and expect Him to answer but sadly that is how He is treated by many Christians. As followers of Jesus, our lives should be constantly transformed, and our minds renewed by a continual infusion of the Word. When we delight in the Lord frequently, our heart begins to align with His and over time it becomes about His desires for our life and not about the desires of “my” heart. 

The source of true joy that cannot be taken away, particularly in a season of life that encompasses many changes and decisions, can only be found by spending time in the presence of the Lord and honestly seeking His will and desires for our life. And as we grow closer to the Lord, “…..though we do not see Him now, we trust Him; and we rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy,” for we will be enjoying the ultimate desire of our hearts; the eternal salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:8-9). And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The entrance of the City of David is decorated with a harp, to represent the harp David played to calm King Saul from his bad moods (1 Sam 16;23).
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I’m from the generation and grew up in a place where once a young person reached a parent-determined acceptable age, “cruising” was the main form of entertainment and socialization. We would cruise for hours up and down Main Street with the occasional stop and chat time in the town parking lot. This weekend, during a hometown visit, my sister asked a friend what he was doing and his reply was, “just out cruising to see what’s going on.” Not only did his response bring back fond memories but it made me ponder how incredibly different our everyday worlds are, even though we are only separated by one hundred miles on the map. Living in Northern Virginia, the last thing I or anyone I know would do on a Saturday morning is cruise up and down Richmond Highway just for fun to see what is going on. And if someone were to admit doing such a thing we would seriously question their cognitive health.

Just like the two extremes of life I witnessed this weekend, Jesus’s teachings were utterly foreign and astonishing to the early followers (Mark 7:28). He was driven out of his hometown of Nazareth, and a plot to kill Him was devised because of the message He was teaching (Luke 4:28-30). He was questioned, mocked, and criticized because the life of freedom He was offering was one hundred and eighty degrees different than life under the Jewish teachers of the law. I’m sure more than one person questioned His cognitive health. Mark chapters 5-7 records Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Within those three chapters, a masterful exposure of the law and its Pharisee-enforced legalism is contained, closing with a call to true faith and salvation. The concept of salvation by faith, freely given by grace for all people was utterly amazing to them (Mk 1:22, 6:2, Luke 4:32) and a totally alien concept. 

According to George Barna, forty-six percent of American adults are now unchurched, an increase from 35% in 2005. Considering this very concerning statistic, the likelihood of encountering a person who has never heard the Good News is becoming more and more possible. There is a high probability of an unchurched person viewing our Christian life as irrelevant or immaterial because it is a foreign concept to them, just as with the early followers of Jesus. So, what are we to do about this gloomy statistic? In my humble opinion, we should concentrate on being the people God has called us to be and that is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love others as much as we love ourselves (Matt 22: 37-39).  By living out this Great Commandment, the Grace that overflows to others will touch one life at a time and they will be astonished and amazed. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit. 
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Today’s pictures are of the Church of the Beatitudes that sits on the spot where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount and the other is the view looking down the hill where the crowds would have gathered. The Sea of Galilee is at the foot of the hillside.

But Jesus told him, “No! The scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Sometimes there are things that happen in life that are as perplexing as they are surprising. Once such thing happened recently in a doctor’s office parking lot. In the months prior to this occurrence, I had changed primary care doctors and my new doctor decided since I had celebrated a milestone birthday it was time to embark on a new level of health screening exams. While I’ve worked in medicine my entire professional career, I have personally experienced very few medical procedures. The scheduled procedures were not invasive or painful but I was still very anxious. I prayed for God to ease my anxiety and fear. After the procedures, as I was getting back into my car I noticed something strange on the hood of the car. As I peered at it through the windshield, I was wondering aloud how in the world a piece of bread ended up on the hood of my car. When I got out of the car to remove the bread, I took notice of the crowded parking lot. No other cars received a bread delivery, not another soul was around, and I had parked facing a wall so a person could not have walked between cars and left it on the hood. It was one of the oddest things that has ever happened to me. The only conclusion I could come to was that a bird must have dropped it there. But why did it land on my car?

The moment I saw the bread on the hood I was instantly reminded of the bread we received daily in our food rations while in quarantine in Israel. Every afternoon and evening meal included a stale piece of bread that looked like a hoagie roll, exactly like the one on my car. The first couple of days my roommate and I didn’t eat the bread but eventually mostly due to hunger, we appreciated and gave thanks for it and the nourishment it provided. 

Jesus uses bread as a metaphor throughout the Gospels. In the sixth chapter of John, Jesus feeds thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fish and has leftovers, He walks on water and calms a raging storm. The next day the same multitude of people went to Capernaum in search of Jesus desiring to be fed again. But this time Jesus offers them salvation-eternal nourishment.  Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now He offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32) Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

Why did God allow a bird to drop a piece of bread at the precise time and place to land on the hood of my car? I believe God sent a tangible reminder that in the midst of fear and anxiety, whether from unknown medical tests and impending the results, illness or anything else this world throws at us, He is the Bread of Life. He is the one we should turn to provide our sustenance physically and spiritually. We need to feast on Jesus because He is the only One who can make us feel “full” and overflowing with peace in every circumstance, whether in an Israeli quarantine facility or a doctor’s office in Fairfax, Virginia.  And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit. 

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The pictures are of the bread on my car and the ruins of the synagogue at Capernaum 

Good Morning,

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Habakkuk 3:17-18

Brooks Buser is a former missionary and President of Radius International, an organization focused primarily on church planting in regions of the world where there is still no translated Word. I listened to a teaching from him this weekend and he referenced an article that had me hitting the rewind button more than once. He cited a paper by Aaron Renn of the American Reformer. Renn maintains that there are Positive, Neutral and Negative worlds in regards to the way society views Christianity. The Positive Era was pre-1994. Society held a positive view of Christianity and Christian morals were accepted as the norm. Christianity was a status enhancer. In the Neutral Era (1994-2014), the church no longer had influential status. The church began the downward slide of assimilating to the secular world. During this time, Christianity appeared to those outside the church as a club or a hobby for Sunday mornings. In the Negative Era (2014-present) the world has become more hostile to Christianity and its beliefs. Church attendance has declined and being vocal about a relationship with Jesus can be detrimental to our careers and lives. This era requires no more explanation because we are living in it and we should not be surprised if we are students of the Word.

But this week, I personally witnessed an entire week in direct opposition to the Negative Era we are all experiencing today. I saw a church filled with children singing praise songs, learning and memorizing the Word, people serving, and donations to those less fortunate filled the floor.  Brooks emphatically expressed that the “Christian witness through the Church is the most powerful tool in any age to combat the world.” And the tangible evidence of that could be seen daily during Vacation Bible School. What joy it was to watch the Good News be planted in those little souls. And if Renn is correct in his assessment, VBS and all evangelism efforts are more important today than ever.

It feels like in every direction we turn there is more bad news, something else to fear, violence and hatred. It is incredibly easy to allow this Negative Era to consume and infiltrate our minds but we must exude the joy of our salvation for all to see and share it. It is the only lasting cure for the negative of this world. The joy of salvation and a relationship with Jesus can not be compared to anything this world has to offer. This is my sincere prayer, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13) Choose today to overflow! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit. 

The trees in the Garden of Gethsemane are estimated to be over 900 years old. They line the paths where Jesus walked and prayed. They are a sight to behold!

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility” Ephesians 2:14

Caesarea by the Sea or Caesarea Maritime has stunning views of the Mediterranean in addition to the awe inspiring ruins. The ruins are evidence of the splendor that once existed. Today, you can visit the Greco-Roman style deep sea harbor, hippodrome, aqueducts and amphitheater. Herod even had an indoor, Olympic sized, freshwater pool in his palace, traces of which are still visible today. An important historical fact to consider for today’s tidbit is that in the 6^th century, Rome made Caesarea the capital of the Judean province and headquarters to the 10^th Roman Legion. As a result the population was as much Gentile as it was Jewish.

One of those Gentiles, was Cornelius a Roman Centurion. The scriptures describe him as a devout, God-fearing man who gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly (Acts 10:2). About 24 hours prior to Peter’s vision found in Acts 10:11-16 and highlighted in last week’s tidbit, Cornelius also had a vision. In the vision, the Lord instructed him to send men to Joppa to bring back Peter to Caesarea and Cornelius was obedient to the Lord (Acts 10:3-7).

And in God’s perfect timing while Peter was pondering his vision, Cornelius’s men knocked at the door and the Spirit of the Lord assured Peter that He had sent these (Gentile) men and he was to go with them (Acts 10:19-22). Peter invited them into the house and the next day they departed for Caesarea (vs.23). The context of the relationship of Jews and Gentiles is vitally important to understand in this time of the New Testament. The Jewish people were not to associate with idolaters or unclean people under any circumstances, much less invite them into their home. It would have been an abomination and the Gentiles didn’t view the Jews any more favorable. What the Lord was asking Peter to do was not your run of the mill evangelizing mission. The work of the Messiah within the context of this setting becomes all the more astounding. He took down the wall of separation with His death on the cross. Peter shared his vision and preached the Gospel when he arrived at Cornelius’ home to him and all who were gathered. While Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles and the Jewish Believers were amazed.  

Many important events and prestigious people fill the history pages of Caesarea by the Sea but none can compare to Peter’s encounter with Cornelius and his declaration, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel-that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:34-36) In our world today where there seems to be no end to strife and hostility on all fronts, it’s more important than ever to remember the miracle that occurred in Caesarea for all people and that peace is only found in and through Jesus. He Himself is the Good News. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.   

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men” Romans 14:17

The landscape and terrain of Israel is fascinating but equally captivating scenery adorns the roof tops of homes throughout the country and especially in the more crowded cities. Many housetops are decorated with hanging curtains, plants, furniture and lighting. In the United States it is rare to see roof top living and consequently when the Bible speaks of people being on the roof top it is difficult to visualize. But seeing it in person made those scriptures come alive for me.  In the tenth chapter of Acts,  Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.” The roofs of houses in Judea were flat and persons would go there for devotion, recreation and prayer. It was a private place to be alone with God. The sixth hour would have been a noon time prayer and in spite of being very hungry (vs 10) Peter was devoted to his time with God.  Prayer was a vital part of who Peter was a Jew and as an Apostle, so much so he sought out a place to pray in a home that was not his own and he delayed eating in spite of ravishing hunger. It is important to note that the pivotal events of this passage started with two men praying and ended with many people praying.

“But while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”(Acts 10: 10-13) Everything about Peter would have revolted against touching or eating anything common or unclean as ordained by his Jewish culture. And that was evident in his response, “Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”(vs 14) “The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything common or unclean that God has made clean.” This happened three times and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.”(vs 15-16) The Lord revealed to Peter in the vision what God has made clean, Believers were not to call unclean. The wall between Jew and Gentile was torn down; Jews and Gentiles alike are acceptable to God. We will explore more of the wondrous fallout of Paul’s vision in tidbits to come because as miraculous as the vision was it is just the backstory and will lead us to another one of my favorite places in Israel. For this week, give praise that there is no veil between any Believer and God and that prayer is our fast speed connection to heaven. We are to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), so don’t be shy this week.  And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.   

Enjoy the picture of prayer from a rooftop in Jerusalem

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” 2Cor 3:17

I am not ashamed to admit that I am fiercely patriotic. I pretty much cry every time I sing the National Anthem and if you are sitting close to me at a baseball game when the Star Spangled Banner begins to play and texting instead of standing with hat in hand, I am that woman! As a military spouse, I have personally witnessed the sacrifices made for our freedom and attended the funeral of a friend that made the ultimate sacrifice. “Freedom is not free” should not be just a cliché attached to a social media post, but remind us of the men and women that make our freedom possible. Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery,” the Apostle Paul begins the fifth chapter in his letter to the Galatians. Paul was intensely passionate about preaching the gospel and zealous to declare that salvation is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ, alone. It is only faith in Christ that leads to freedom and that freedom produces spirit-filled fruit by which we can bless others. Because of Christ we have the freedom to put all our hope and trust in God no matter the circumstances of this life. Paul was imprisoned for his beliefs on several occasions and wrote a fair portion of the New Testament from inside the prison walls. In spite of being imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and depressed his faith anchored and encouraged him. As a twenty-first century American it is hard to even imagine what Paul endured for the gospel’s sake. Most of us have no personal experience of prison, persecution or death because of our beliefs. Although not because of beliefs, my Israeli quarantine experience did provide a very tiny glimpse of what it feels like to be contained and freedoms revoked. The very basic liberty of clean living conditions, free access to drinkable water, and the ability to leave the room or choose a meal was gone for eight days. Although our accommodations would have seemed like the Ritz Carlton to Paul, just like him freedom was found in the prayers, songs of praise, laughter and saving faith of God’s sovereignty within our quarantine cell.  And while freedom on this earth is to be cherished, it is nothing compared to the spiritual freedom we have forever in Jesus. His unceasing work in the hearts of humanity is what brings true freedom. May we be thankful for our freedom as Americans and celebrate and share our freedom in Christ every day. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of the bars on the window of our quarantine facility. We were thankful they were pretty circles and traditional prison bars!