Internet access is very spotty so trying to post on the bus.

After a very exhausting plane ride we met Reuven our tour guide and loaded up the bus. Reuven and I decided to hit some holy spots on the way to our hotel in Tiberias. First stop was Ceaserea Maritima. We saw an amazingly restored amphitheater and Roman aqueduct right on the shore of The Mediterranean Sea. This is way Peter met Cornileus the centurion and baptized him, opening up the way of Christ to the Gentiles.

From there we went to Megiddo (Armageddon ). And ancient “Tel” or man made hill has been excavated and found there are evidence of Canaanite sacrificial worship. Later Solomon made Megiddo a stronghold and King Ahab soon after built it up more and dig out a water supply system which we actually got to walk down into and back out again. It’s about 9 stories deep!

On Megiddo you can see the fields where Revelation says the final battle will take place.

On from there we went to the beautiful Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. There is a monastery built by Franciscans and still maintained by the sisters there. The chapel and grounds are gorgeous. We entered the chapel as a group of Greek Orthodox were singing, in Greek of course.

Completely worn out we made it to the hotel, tired but excited! Our hotel is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and the sunset today was breathtaking. Seeing the lake up close really allows one to picture Jesus and the disciples and the crowds. We stand on Holy Ground!

We are off to a good start. Although I am sad that one of our group was unable to make it (she’s ok), 35 of us managed to arrive at the Miami airport and go through the truly amazing Israeli security for El Al flights.

We are on a 787 Dreamliner and this plane is fancy! As I type this we have about 9 hours to go to Tel Aviv. Everyone is very excited and ready to begin our journey.

Jennifer and I had a few days ahead of the trip for a little RandR in Miami (including spaghetti and pizza for Thanksgiving dinner! If you know me, you know it made me happy!). We are refreshed and ready for a holy adventure.

Stay tuned for updates. Israel is 8 hours ahead of FWB so my posts may arrive at awkward times for you. Just keep checking! Also if you follow me on Twitter or you have “liked” the St. Simon’s on the Sound Facebook page, notifications for new posts will show up there.

Shalom!

Beautiful day, why not start it in church? The Epistle reading for Eucharist reminds us “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching..”

Don’t neglect to meet together, and when you do, encourage one another! You’ll be glad you did.

I have no valid excuses for my slacking off on posting. I do try to say at least one of the offices every day, but haven’t lately had time (taken time?) to post any thing.

Habits are hard to make and easy to break. I think it was Martin Luther who said he who has no time to pray should pray twice as long. Wonderful advice! This morning I took my time with morning prayer, placed myself where there were no distractions and let the words of scripture and these beautiful prayers remind me of how much I need this time.

A portion of Psalm 119 is appointed for today. These words rang true:

“I hate those who have a divided heart, *
but your law do I love.  You are my refuge and shield; *
my hope is in your word. 
Away from me, you wicked! *
I will keep the commandments of my God. 
Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, *
and let me not be disappointed in my hope. ”

A divided heart may merely mean divided time, or misguided priorities. The world needs more prayer, not less, more devotion, not less, more of our time spent with God instead of spent on other things. It has always been so. The reading today from Joel continues the thought:

“Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. ”

May all of us, with all our undivided hearts, return to the Lord. Our spiritual disciplines of prayer and study light the path back to God.

Listened to an old version of the Venice by the Maranatha Band as I said Morning Prayer this morning, brought back a lot of memories.

Come let us worship and bow down and kneel before the Lord our God our maker

It’s Election Day and with that a lot of anxiety. Also a lot of relief over the end of political commercials! No matter what happens today, remember

For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.

For an Election

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.