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.