Dr Who and Lamentations

Hello, dear reader.

I know in my last blog (less than 24 hours ago), I said that "Just Be" would probably the last time I would write. Yeah, well, just kidding!

Because we really have to talk about some important stuff: 

I was recently introduced to a British television series by one of my Israeli friends. It's called Dr Who, and it's just fantastic (for those of us who like sci-fi stuff anyway). Yes, I'm a Whovian, which is just about as nerdy and geeky as being a Trekkie. Actually it's really well done, and, though cheesy at times, is really relevant to life (besides aliens and stuff).

Anyway, the basic idea of the show is, the Doctor is an alien with a time machine. He's the last of his kind and travels the world changing the lives of people...dealing with suffering and sorrow, but also bringing hope and healing.

I guess it's just amazing to me that in the "not so deep" places of life, we still want depth. We still want truth and hope and healing. We still explore the rawest of human emotions-even in a British television series.

So, what does this have to do with Lamentations? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. I mean, when was the last time you read the book of Lamentations, let alone had it completely rock your world? Yeah, me either...until recently, that is.

"Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.

Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.

Let him bury his face in the dust-there may yet be hope.

Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever...

Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?"

-Lamentations 3:21-33, 37 

We are not consumed because of his love. But this does not mean we will not be called to the fire. I think we are afraid of fire. I think we say, "God, send your fire!", but we don't realize what it means or we don't want to. Fire burns. It refines and purifies. It's not comfortable. But, oh, that we would come to a point where we could truly be his burning ones. For he is my portion. And it is good to wait quietly for him. There are times where I just need to bury my face in the dust, and, on my face, just wait in silence for him.

And even though, like Dr Who, I may be called to the life of an "alien", whether in the states or outside of, I want to run as hard as I can after him across space and time, through suffering and sorrow, healing and hope.

Just Be

Hello reader.

I suppose I have been a bit MIA since my last writing. And this may be my last blog while I'm across the pond. Once I hit the 2 week mark of my time left in Israel, I have definitely been trying to make the most of it. So, I have been trying to fill my days with people that I am closest to here...to do life, to just be.

I have also had several interesting experiences in the passed week. 

I attended a Friday evening service at an orthodox synagogue. It was extremely interesting. Men sit in the floor seating, while the women sit in the balcony. Women are also hidden by a veil of lace, which they can see through but the men cannot. The service consists of readings of prayers from the Siddur. Most of the prayers in the book are straight from scripture, and are sung. There are a few men which trade off in leading the prayers. There are certain prayers in which the people stand, and certain prayers in which they sit. And, of course, one would have a very different experience depending on gender. Honestly, I find it quite beautiful, and not just because of the singing. There is something quite powerful about praying scripture, and even more so hearing it chanted/sung in it's original language. I would definitely recommend going to anyone...whether you visit one in the states or Israel.

I had lunch with a family in Akko by the sea. Now this experience isn't totally out of the ordinary, but I must make note of it because of the family and because of the fish I ate. Yes. The fish. It was the very first time I have ever eaten a fish with the head attached. Not to mention this fish had teeth, so it seemed to be smiling (or snarling) at me. The little girls in the family had great fun working up the courage to touch the eyes and the teeth. And still even more fun when I proceeded to make the fish talk to them. About these girls, and the family they belong to, they're all wonderful. Yeshua has really used them to bring me out of myself...and to also not be so much afraid of being around young children.

Walks on the beach at night. Seemingly so insignificant, but one of the best things to do here in the company of those you care about. The sea during the day is spectacular, but there's nothing quite like it at night. The waves moving slowly up the beach as the tide comes in, the moon rising and lighting the depths, and the tiny lights of the boats as they move along the water. I've been able to have several deep conversations with people in this setting. It seems to help people open up.

If you'll recall one of my posts from way earlier in this trip about a young girl I talked to at a youth group meeting, I'm happy to say they she and I finally got to spend some one-on-one time. It was really good. Getting to talk about parts of our lives that we hadn't shared with each other, getting to talk about God and what he's doing in our hearts. More and more I'm convinced that there's is something starting, awakening in the youth and young adults of this country.

Now, with less than a week for me to be here, I turn my thoughts to returning to the states. 

I have so many people I'm ready to see. 

I have so many unanswered questions.

I have hopes and dreams.

I have a really long travel stretch ahead. 

I have people here that I have to leave for a time.

It's extremely hard to turn my thoughts in this direction. Please, hear me when I say, that I'm so incredibly excited to get to see family and friends.

To get to catch up with people face-to-face, and eat some of my mom's food and listen to my dad's jokes. 

To be able to, in the flesh, pick on my siblings, and spend time with my grandparents.

To be able to hug my some of my dearest friends. 

But, there is part of me that will stay here in Israel. There is a part of me that will be extremely restless in the states...even after the reverse culture shock wears off.

All this to say, to those of you in the states-I will see you soon. And to those of you in this tiny country on the Mediterranean-I will see you again.

Holiday Trivia

Hello dear reader?

How are you on this fine October day? Here it has become rather cloudy and rained a bit each day, though it is still quite hot and humid.

As promised, I'm writing to you about the holy days. Now, these explanations are rather vague and do no justice to the goings on. So, you'll have to forgive me, as I am still learning.

First there is Rosh Hashanna. It's the Jewish new year. Of course school is out, people are off work, and there is lots of food, friends, family and fun. One tradition during this time is eating apples with honey (I suppose you could compare it to the tradition of some in America of eating black-eyed peas at New Year's...but I like this tradition better.)

Following this, there are 10 days until Yom Kippur. These 10 days of awe, though "regular work days", are set aside to contemplate one's life.

And then there is Yom Kippur-the day of atonement. This is the day that Jews plead with God to forgive them for the sins of the passed year, that he might write down their name in the Book of Life. Interestingly enough, the entire country (the jewish part) stops for this day. No one drives-whether you're ultra orthodox or secular. Most people fast all day, not even drinking water. It is definitely a day unlike any other, set apart unto itself.

After Yom Kippur comes Sukkot-the feast of booths/tabernacles. Families make sukkah's outside (they're a covered, three wall structure) and decorate them with lights and hanging decorations (I was jokingly told that it's kind of like decorating a christmas tree.) Some people even sleep in their sukkahs (which is what you're supposed to do). This is a time of celebration. A time of family and friends. And it's a whole week (although three days in the middle are "regular work days").

Some of these traditions may seem strange and other worldly to non-jews. However, I'm coming to find they only make sense. Why not celebrate holidays God himself set aside? He knew/knows people need a new year, a fresh start. A day for reflection and repentance. And time to celebrate and give thanks. A time to be in awe of God.

Truth: Do you want fries with that?

Hello reader.

It's hard to believer the month of September is almost at an end. It seems as though it stumbled in the front door, tripped through the house, and is about to fall comically out the back door.

Here in Israel, the time has already changed, so the morning sun creeps in rather early, and leaves all too soon in the evening. That, and we are in the middle of the High Holy Days. Last week was Rosh Hashanna (new year), Yom Kippur (day of atonement) is this week (sundown the 25 to sundown the following day), and Sukkot (feast of tabernacles) is following close behind. (I think I will take time later this week to talk more of the holidays.)

This morning as I was raking leaves (which I find to be quite satisfying), I was thinking about this blog, and what I wanted to write about. I haven't written in a while, so I thought maybe I should write something about Israel and the holidays and whatnot. However, I have decided to take a different approach and write on something completely different, though not at all irrelevant. 

I was talking to a believer who started asking all these hard questions. For instance, why does God let this happen? Why didn't he just stop with creating the animals when he knew we were going to mess up royally? Why? Now don't balk or start judging. We've all been there if we are really honest and vulnerable. We've all wondered if God is "soooo good" then why does he let us go through whatever or allow whatever to happen. Why am I going through this when I'm trying so hard to follow hard after you? Even the strongest of believers (like this believer I was talking to) have times where their inward being groans with the weight of a fallen world. It's not that they'd ever give up on their faith...because they know-they've tasted and seen. They just need someone to come camp out on the battlefield beside them, and listen. Someone to offer a cool drink for their parched throat, and balm for their wounds. 

So, here were all these questions being pointed at me...begging for an answer. So what did I do? I let her question and would reply the only way I know how-"I don't know." Now, don't sit there so shocked. I know you were expecting me to answer her with some profound truth or pull out some fantastic bible verse. But the truth is, I don't have all of the answers. Believers don't have all the answers. There. I said it. The secret is out guys.

It's like believers are the workers at a restaurant. You've got people (believers or not) coming in wanting food. And instead of giving them real truth, we sugar coat it or give some warmed over cliche.

"Hi. Welcome to Tasty Truths. How can I help you?"

"Um...well I'm feeling a bit down. My life is just a mess and I'm not sure what to do. Maybe you have something that can pick me up?"

"Why yes. I can get you the TheresAReasonForEverything Special. It comes with the FizzyWarmFuzzy drink."

"That sounds amazing."

"Yes. And would you like fries with that? They come with our special DontWorryBeHappy sauce."

Come on people. Really? I don't want that. And I don't want to be like that. Not really, if I'm honest. I don't want to believe something just because it's a "truth" I've been told my whole life. Some nice little saying that I've heard passed around since I was young. I don't want to be offering twice baked cliches that will only make the sickness worse. That's not what it's about. I'm tired of living that way. I want to offer living water-I want to love well. I want to serve with a cheerful heart. Even if, sometimes, it means I swallow my pride and say, "You know, I don't know." I think it should go more like this:

"Hey. You alright?"

"No. I'm feeling..."

"Go on, you can tell me."

"I'm just feeling a little lonely today is all; the kind of lonely where you feel it even if you're in a crowded room. I don't know why."

"I'm sorry you feel lonely. I'll just sit with you a while and hold your hand. And if you'd like I'll cry with you and cry out to God with you about your hurt."

That's what I'm finding here where I am. In the midst of the day-to-day messiness of humanity. It's funny, people are people, no matter the culture or language. I can't fix it all. I can't answer all the questions. I can't lay out some magic formula for happiness.

But I can be real. Utterly real and human. And, sometimes, that's the best approach. So, that's where I'll be, not serving fries warmed by the lamplight of apathy, but on the battlefield squatting by a fellow traveler and warrior offering a hand to hold or an ear to listen.

Bus 12

Hello friends. I hope this blog post finds you well. Yes, by now we are into September. Schools have started, life has returned to a steady routine, and, hopefully, the weather will begin to cool with the passing of the days.

How are things on you're side of the pond? Glad you asked. Today has been "one of those days". No, I don't mean the kind where you're so busy and frustrated you just want to pull out your hair (or the person's hair next to you). I'm talking one of those days where a person can feel absolutely and extremely useless. I'm not saying that I'm one of those people that has to constantly be doing something; I rather enjoy a quiet afternoon with a book every once in a while. However, when I gear myself up for a day of productivity and the day doesn't follow like I'd envisioned...well, that's annoying.

You see, at the Kehila, we are gearing up for the holidays, which are fast approaching. With the holidays comes the need for humanitarian aid. So I spent yesterday helping to get bags of food ready for distribution. We got alot done yesterday. I returned to help today...only the work didn't take as long as it did yesterday. And then I sat for an hour and a half waiting to see if there was anything else I could do (I should be doing something-painting more trellises, stacking more boxes/bags, cleaning, sweating, nicking myself with a box cutter here, bruising my leg on a pallet there...you get the picture). Finally, I gave up and decided to take the bus back to my host home.

Ear buds blaring Matisyahu in my ears, marching-left right left right-down to the bus stop and waiting for the bus...and waiting and waiting. Seriously, I could be doing something and not sitting waiting for the bus...in the heat...with this old lady who thinks that she should take my seat so now I'm standing and waiting for the bus...in the heat. And then-Should you be doing something? Or should you be doing something? Oh. I recalled a few weeks ago when a friend of mine suggested (half kidding, half serious) that I should just take random buses and pray over the country, the city, the people. Okay. Okay. We'll start with bus 12. It's not random; it's the bus I have to take to get back to where I'm staying so I can't get too lost.

So, now I'm sitting on bus 12, watching people go in and out, watching students get on heading home from school. Sitting on bus 12, on an isle seat with no one next to me until a lady comes and asks me to scoot over even though there are other empty seats on the bus all by their lonesome. Sitting on bus 12, rolling passed shops and bus stops and the sea, wondering if I have missed my stop because I have no idea where I am. Sitting on bus 12, praying I haven't missed my stop because that would be awful. Sitting on bus 12, realizing my friend had told me bus 12 would take me home, and realizing I trust her so therefore I shouldn't freak. Sitting on bus 12, recognizing where I am and thanking the Lord for giving me peace, a good friend, and not letting me flip out. Sitting on bus 12, remembering what I've blogged in the past about needing to feel validated, when Yeshua just wants me to love people. Sitting on bus 12, people watching and praying (even praying for the lady next to me who is crowding me practically wanting me to notice to pray for her). Getting off bus 12 a stop early, just so I can walk and pray, pray and walk.

What does tomorrow hold? Of that I am not quite certain. But I do know that Yeshua is full of surprises. And maybe, just maybe, I'll have another date with him sometime soon on bus 12.

"The gates of hell will tremble when love becomes the anthem that we sing. Sickness will be silenced when this all-consuming power fills our streets, my love, so come quickly. When love comes to a nation, justice will bow. When love comes to a nation, all dividing walls will come crashing down. When hope shines in a nation, darkness will flee. When hope shines on a nation, every prisoner will be released. I am the sound, I have the voice. I am the movement, open the door. I am the sound, I have the voice. I am the movement, unlock my roar. I am Yeshua to this city. I am Yeshua to this nation, Yeshua to the world."-Unlock My Roar, Daniel Bashta

The Happenings of Late

Hello, dear reader. How are you, and what have you been up to these days?

So, if you're wondering what I've been up to, never fear, I'm here to fill you in. I finished working the Toilet Paper Brigade (if you'll recall: cut, bag, stack) and graduated to painting trellises. I finished that project yesterday, so I'm currently waiting for my fearless leader (aka Batman) to return from his hofesh (vacation).

While I'm waiting, I have been busy. One couple from the congregation, lives on a moshav (Israeli ranch) in the Galilee area. They have set aside some land to use as a retreat place for different believing groups. I went up to help with one of the camps for a few days last week. It is quite incredible. The groups are usually small, but this allows for more team building type activities. And also, they learn to cook certain foods over the fire. All of this, while learning about Yeshua's love for them. Of course, the owners are hoping that this is only the beginning of something more huge. I have no doubt that it is. When you choose to dream with Yeshua...nothing is impossible.

Also, I have been helping a lady from the congregation with her four children (that's right, more working with children. The irony continues.) The family is also getting ready to move, so life is more hectic than usual.

I have been thinking much lately about the call on our lives as believers to love. We are supposed to love the unloveable. We are supposed to love people where they are. Why is that so hard? I think we have in our minds a picture of how everything "should be". That just isn't the case; that's not the world we live in. Sometimes we meet people we don't agree with. They leave a bad taste in our mouth, and we want nothing else to do with them. Yet, we are called to love them.

My prayer while I'm here is that Yeshua would teach me how to love people well-the people I see everyday, the people I'm closest with, and the people I may only meet once or twice. I'm learning, that just because other people don't live/walk/move in a culture of honor, doesn't mean that I can't.

I realize this blog hasn't been as revealing as past blogs have been. Understand, that I'm pondering a few things in my heart, and it's going to take time to sift through them all, much less write them out. But, don't worry, you will be let in on the goings and comings of this heart.

If you are wondering what you can pray about, here are a few things:

-I can always use prayer for courage and grace. I can always use prayer against fear.

-Prayer for vision in the coming days.

-Pray that God would begin, even now, to work in the hearts of his people as the holidays are fast approaching (more on this later). Pray that he would already begin a work in the hearts and minds of the people.

-Pray for the family that I'm helping with their move, that everything would run smoothly as the children transition to new schools. Also, for energy for the parents (moving, 4 kids, you get the picture).

-Pray for the family that lives on the moshav, and that they would continue to dream and walk in time with the heartbeat of Abba. That he would continue to prove himself faithful as they strive to walk out their dream.

-Pray for all of those that serve in the Israeli Defense Forces.

-Pray for the peace and stability of the Middle East.

-Most of all, pray that Love would find it's way into the hearts of the people of God. That the veil would be open and that the heavens would come down.

Grace and peace to you friends.

More soon.

Sarah

"What does it sound like when we sing heaven's song? And what does it feel like when heaven comes down? What does it look like when God is all around? Let it come."

What It's About

I realize I'm writing twice in one day, but I felt like what I'm about to tell you deserved it's own space set aside.

Last week my dear friend suggested we attend the youth meeting that happens once a week. She has a passion for youth, and so do I. I long to see believers walking in the fullness of what we have been called to. Don't get me wrong, evangelism is great. But my heart, my deep burning passion, is the discipleship of youth. I was excited to go. Even more excited because the youth group from this area was going up the mountain (Mt. Carmel) to join with another youth group. There may have been a hint of nervousness since I'm still floundering at the language, but my gusto outweighed that by far.

Now, I've been to Israel a few times and have managed to meet some of the youth and talk to them. I will admit that it has been frustrating to know if I have had any impact. This is my heart we are talking about. Since the last time I was here, I had been praying for one girl in particular. I don't know why, I just couldn't shake her from my mind. I would ask my friend, periodically, to ask this girl how she was doing and to tell her that I was praying for her. I had no idea if she even remembered who I was, or if she was even receptive in finding out I had been praying for her. And then...

She was there at the youth group. I was met with such warmth. I was actually stunned, and thought it was just out of excitement of seeing someone who had once been here. But, in the quiet of worship, she approached me. I was sitting on the floor, my back against a column enjoying his presence...and maybe wrestling. Then there she was, kneeling on the floor next to me, asking if she could pray for me. What's more amazing, is she basically prayed about everything I had written in my journal the morning before...everything I had been wrestling with, everything I had been praising God for, and here she is breathing life and truth into it.

After the prayer, she began to tell me that she'd just come through a rough season. She said that somehow she knew, she could feel that someone had been praying for her. And then my friend began to relay my messages to her. She said it was so good to know that she wasn't alone during this last season. That there was someone warring for her. She said something like, "God fills me up. I am always hungry and always thirsty for him, but he always makes me full. I'm full and I still want more of Him."

We sat together a long time, hands intertwined listening to the worship music and talking ever so often about how good Yeshua is. And we left that night with a promise to get together while I'm here.

This is what it's about.