Retracing My Steps in Israel: A Pilgrimage of the Heart~Part 2

As we walked away from the Solomonic Gate at tel Gezer and up a hill, what stood before me caused my heart to leap! I had to contain myself to not run down the hill and jump up and down. I am 37 (36 at the time) and had to at least act mature for the younger folk.

It has been my dream to see real "live" Standing Stones! Here they are, right before my eyes. I might have squealed, but I am not going to tell.

Rocks of Remembrance

Standing Stones

have been significant

in my walk with Christ.

My mind raced to Joshua 3 & 4. (Gezer isn't near the Jordan River, the rocks just made me think of the story.) The Israelites cross the Jordan and into the Promised Land! They are finally home! The LORD didn't want them to forget, nor the generations after them, so He told Joshua to choose 12 men, one from each tribe, to each pick up a rock from the middle of the Jordan.

Why?

Joshua 4:6,7

...to serve as a sign among you.

In the future, when your children ask you,

'What do these stones mean?'

tell them that the flow of the Jordan was

cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

When it crossed the Jordan,

the waters of the Jordan were cut off.

These stones are to be a memorial

to the people of Israel forever.

The Israelites had some remembering to do of the LORD's love, faithfulness, power, Keeper of covenant...DO NOT FORGET!

I have remembering to do as well and physical reminders, like big stones, trigger me to remember-yes, LORD, you are faithful, You have taken this heart of stone and made it a heart of flesh, You have made an everlasting covenant with me!

As Rich began to teach at the Standing Stones, my excitement shifted to being solemn, sickened, and contemplative. These rocks had nothing to do with God Almighty, the One true God. It was a high place, a place of pagan worship, where prostitution and child sacrifice were practiced. Sensuality and murder.

What?

Even the Canaanites, those who didn't worship God,

took time to remember and worship

something

someone.

Help Lord! Since you created every person to worship,

the question is

Who or what am I remembering to worship?

Since I will act according to what I remember,

What standing stones do I have erected in my life?

Solomon, a King who worshiped God, who controlled Gezer, never tore down these high places of pagan worship or demolish the stones, as the Lord had commanded, because his heart was divided because of his wives. A whole people were led astray thinking they could live with both-idols and God. The Lord says:

I am the LORD; that is my name!

I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.

Isaiah 42:8

Are there any stones in my life that I or others have erected that must be demolished?

What am I remembering that doesn't shout grace and holiness?

Possibilities of pagan standing stones:

Unforgiveness

Putting people on a pedestal

Bitterness

Sensuality

Performance

Insecurity

Partial Grace

Pride

Selfishness

Kids

Husband

Friends

Impatience

Fear

Anxiety...

Must be demolished

As I sat in this for awhile, allowing the Spirit to search my heart, what must be destroyed and demolished in my life, something that doesn't shout-Jesus is HERE! He is recognizable- the Lord brought to mind a TV show I began to watch. Most shows begin fine, get ya hooked, then throw on some sensuality or a lot of it. I had to make the choice to not watch this show I had gotten into. It's amazing how easy it can be for me to justify the "little things". The Lord said, "STOP". I haven't watched it since. I confess to you that I have been tempted, thinking, maybe this time won't be like the last, but lifting the name of Jesus high is way more important to me than satisfying my desire to relax and be entertained...so I continue to say, I can't...not gonna go there.

HOW I remember the Lord is as essential as oxygen is to life!

As I smile for this picture, I am perplexed in my mind, do I smile or frown? What should my face look like as I stand next to these stones that are 10-20 feet tall that represent evil?

I chose to smile

because of what these rocks taught me

how desperately I need

Jesus, my Living Stone!

The only way a stone can be living is if the Lord breaths life into it!

Strong, obvious to others, moving around,

not in one place like other standing stones

Shows the World that Jesus is ALIVE!

I am like a living stone...am I pointing all to the Living Stone?

I want my every thought, my every memory to be of Jesus Christ! The Only One who is worthy of my remembering and living!

Our time at Gezer has drawn to a close as Shabbot was about to begin. We paused soaking in the view; we were really in Israel. Lizz read Deuteronomy 6 as the sun set. O the Presence of the Lord was thick. The cry of my heart-Lord, show me Your glory! You are my Gate and my Living Stone.

I would love to hear your answers to questions I posed to myself as I journeyed through the Land. Will you sharpen me, encourage me, and challenge me. I need you!

Retracing My Steps in Israel: A Pilgrimage of the Heart~Part 1

As we stepped off of the plane in Israel, we met Ronen, our Jewish tour guide, and Eli, our bus driver. One of the first things we were told in the Promised Land was, "A picture speaks a thousand words. While you are here, we will show you a thousand pictures." That phrase played over and over in my mind during our 10 day trip.

Rich, our leader from Hume, shared with us that as Americans we think in words: God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and so on. The Jewish people think in pictures: God is our Rock, Fortress..I think I have become Jewish, because my mind is filled with pictures of a place that is in my blood and feel the urgency to go back and see more of the glory of God (yes, I know that the earth is full of His glory and I see it all around me...there is just something about that place...)!

My desire is to share some "pictures" with you that have changed my life forever and have grown my love for the LORD Jesus by leaps and bounds. This is quite a discipline for me, because writing doesn't flow from me, yet the Lord uses it to cement things He has and is teaching me. Plus, if there is any way to peak your interest in visiting the Land the Lord chose, I am jumping in your suitcase!

First Stop immediately after leaving the airport:

Gezer (means "

increase")

Some insight into Gezer:

*It's a tel-a hill, 26 civilizations are on top of each other.

*A great place for a city because it is near water, food, defensible, on the via maris trade route.

*18 miles north west of Jerusalem

*Town was apart of Ephraim's inheritance.

*A Levitical town

As Joshua began to conquer Canaan, the Israelites defeated the King of Gezer near Lachish, but the Canaanites were never completely driven out. David struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. King Solomon inherited Gezer because it was a wedding gift to one of his wives from her father, Pharaoh, the King of Egypt. He used forced labor to build up the wall around Gezer and the town itself (Joshua 10; Judges 1:28,29; 2 Samuel 5:22-25; 1 Chronicles 20:4; 1 Kings 9:15-17).

The Gate

This is the first picture etched in my mind and has had significant spiritual ramifications in my life.

It was hard for me to put my mind around the fact that we were sitting on part of a gate to a city that was thousands of years old!

This was a Solomonic Gate, as Solomon built similar gates in various cities.

It wasn't simply a gate with a door that swung back and forth. A person entering or leaving the city would have to walk through a small tunnel where there were rooms or chambers on either side of you and above you. This would aid in protection of the city because the gate is the weakest part of the city.

As I contemplated why the gate was so significant, these thoughts rushed into my mind: the gate opens and closes; it serves as a filter of who comes and goes; prepares someone to enter the city; a place of influence, prestige, justice, prominence. With a little research through God's Word, I discovered that the Gate is the place to be! If one wanted to know what was going on, hear important announcements, hear God's Word, to seek a decision from judges, or to buy food. It seems similar to what Twitter, Costco, Life Group, Court, People magazine all lumped into one place is to us today. (I photo boothed this drawing of what a city gate may have looked like. It helped me envision the hustle and bustle better.)

A place of influence...

While sitting at the Solomic Gate, we were asked a couple of questions:

Where does God have me to influence others?

or

Am I being influenced by the world?

I continued with more questions for the Lord to search my heart:

How can I be distinct and different from the natural current of our culture?

&

How am I influencing our culture and others?

Influences in our modern context:

Social Media Church Family Friends My home

• Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, movies, tv
• Podcasts, pastors, professors, leaders
• Mom, Dad, sisters, brothers, inlaws, kids
• One on one conversations, life group

Obviously this is not an extensive list, but seems overwhelming, none the less, so where do I begin?

MY HOME! It makes absolute sense! This is my primary place of influence. Whoever enters through our door, my prayer is that they sense the peace of Jesus Christ: a sacred, safe, warm place where all can find Jesus in every corner, oozing with His love. What do I allow through our "gate" or front door? If I allow things that are just ok or blatantly sinful to enter, it's as if I would allow an enemy to enter my fortified city. We would never allow that! That would defeat the whole purpose of having a gate: to filter who can come and go.

I read in a Bible dictionary, "to have the gate, is to have the city". Who is the authority of our "gate"? Who filters who comes and goes?

Jesus

He is the Door

He is the Gate

He is the Authority of our home

The Lord answered my question quite simply: with Christ as our Door, we, the Downs, will only allow such things to enter our home that lift up the name of Jesus and cause Him to be recognizable.

Some things are easy for us to figure out what to allow, other things are subtle, and Satan, the father of lies, who love nothing better than to trick us into thinking the little things are ok and won't hurt too much. But the question must remain, are we distinct and different and filled with grace or do we look like the norm of our culture? O, how abiding in Christ is the answer!

What tv shows and movies will I watch at home? This is one the Lord has had to convict me with more than once. I like tv and to enjoy a good show. I began to watch a show this summer online and the Spirit began prodding my heart to stop. Great action but it began to include sensuality and the Lord is so clear that there should be no hint of it, so it took some weeks before I made the commitment to stop watching it all together. I sensed my flesh desiring more and knew that was my queue to be done. Upon seeking the Lord more extensively about Jesus being my Door, I made a clear decision- ENOUGH. The thing is, it wasn't horrible, just not best or even good. Psalm 15 and Philippians 4 kept coming to mind. Yes, Lord, I humbly submit to You! You have all my affections and I willingly surrender this to you. It's been a few weeks. The thought enters my mind to watch it and I quickly say, "nope, not gonna go there" and then fix my gaze on Jesus!

More areas: my conversations, books I read, magazines, my time, what I eat & drink, etc.

Will you read John 10 and then I would LOVE to hear where the Lord is leading you in this or what you are wrestling with.

If you actually made it through this post, you may not have had any idea that you would really be on a pilgrimage (a long journey with a purpose), that is only the half of what the Lord has stirring in my heart concerning The Gate!

Thank you for the accountability from some of you to make sure I took the time to journal this today. The Body of Christ blesses and sharpens me!

Retracing My Steps in Israel: A Pilgrimage of the Heart

My last post was some 10 months ago and what the Lord has done in that time is powerful and breathtaking.  He is glorious!

The previous post was written by Brian as we enjoyed time in the Grand Tetons on a family vacation this summer!  He usually writes witty entries about the trips we take, but the mountains beckoned us and taking care of Julianne (with her broken leg) didn't allow for blog time.

Every Wednesday I am devoting the morning to retrace the steps we hiked in Israel and dive into the Word concerning each city or place mentioned.  The Lord is using this time to transform my heart and mind in significant ways.  I would love to invite you on my pilgrimage of the heart.  As a part of the process of the Lord teaching me through His Word, I will post what I have learned for the day.

I love Him more now than ever!  I long to know and love Him more deeply every single day!  He is worthy!

Grand Tetons (take 2)

So after visiting Jackson Hole, WY and the Grand Tetons several years ago, Yvonne had it in mind to return.  So after some prodding, we got the entire Downs clan to join us for a week.

Of course while Yvonne is in Israel, that left me to get things ready... which gave me the opportunity to take the kids up to Yosemite for a quick trip and hike around and look at the waterfalls.  Figured since I was buying a park pass I should use it as much as possible.  Needless to say a photo op turned into me having to carry Julianne down the mountain with a broken leg.  And having to get her into urgent care and a specialist ended up causing us to leave a bit later than I had planned.















So off we go, Julianne with her custom Dodge Caravan recliner and me with two additional drivers.
We were able to stop off and see some friends outside of Reno the first night, then it was the long trek across Nevada.  What a waste of asphalt... Seriously, if aliens keep coming here, I say give it to them, at least we could maybe tax them, think of all the tariffs we could put on intergalactic commerce.












There was one section of roadway which made me dream I was in a Pixar title sequence.  That only lasted a couple of seconds until a billion bugs decided to use my windshield as expression art.

The bright point of the day? Finding a gas station selling at under 3.50 a gallon.  Then the sunset reminded me that...hey, wake up, don't buy the lie that this is cheap...












Oh, boy what fun this trip will be.  Now if only got a few hours before Yvonne gets here and I'd better think of some things to talk about.

Two Lives Intersect...forever changed.

THIS IS A LONG POST, BUT ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TO SEE THE LORD'S HAND IN EVERY DETAIL, SO ONLY READ THIS IF YOU HAVE SOME UN RUSHED MOMENTS AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE LORD'S LOVE AND SOVEREIGNTY IN A PROFOUND WAY.

You are about to enter into two ladies' lives who "happened" to meet on a plane going from Fresno to Dallas. What has taken place is supernatural...this is how the Lord works, only He can transform our hearts.

Betty Nobles and I have written Facebook messages to each other over the past 4 days and with her permission we want to testify of the Lord's kindness to us and that He is greater than our sorrows. Also, that we would each be encouraged to ask the Lord to fill us, His empty vessels, (whether we are a row boat or a luxury ship), with who He is, so as to proclaim Him every moment of the day no matter where we are or what we are doing. We are simply a tent that carries Jesus from place to place...

Summer 2007 (Betty and I took time to recollect our lives the day we met and this is the first time we have shared this from our perspectives.)

Yvonne: August 4, 2007 (at least I think this is the actual day) marked a day in life that would be etched in my heart as long as I have breath. The Sovereign LORD orchestrated each detail of this day and knew what would take place, before time began. What is amazing is every single day is under His absolute control motivated by love, all for His glory! I felt much anticipation as this day approached, because I was flying to Florida to pick up Julianne, our 11 year old, who had served with Teen Missions in Honduras for six weeks. (Julianne would soon learn that we were moving to Fresno within three weeks of her arrival home after living at Hume for almost 13 years.) The Lord’s hand was evident for, Brian, months before had booked First Class tickets with flyer miles. Never had I flown in such luxury before that summer and felt so blessed to enjoy warmed mixed nuts and huge seats. As usual, I asked the Lord to fill me, His empty vessel, with His love and to use me as He saw fit, to share His matchless love with anyone He would lead me to, whether it was in a line at the airport, the bathroom, or in plush seating at the front of the plane. Betty Nobles, you sat down right next to me, just the two of us, since First Class only had two seats per row…see what I mean, God Almighty is in even the smallest detail!

I remember reading my Bible and memorizing Scripture on 3 x 5 index cards (within three hours of meeting you, I wrote your info on one of those cards) and soaking up the quiet moments of a full summer of ministering at Romance Conferences at Hume. We chitchatted about where we were going and a bit about our lives, and somehow our conversation led into the Lord’s love. I loved you so much, Betty. The Lord flooded my soul with deep affection for you. Isn’t that breathtaking? I didn’t even know you, but that is what the Jesus does, He lavishes His love on us, so that we can’t help but love deeply. My heart broke when you shared that I didn’t know where you had been and what you had done and that the Lord really couldn’t love you because of your life. Oh how I longed for you to experience the real love of God through Jesus Christ. I had no idea where you had been in your life or the secrets that you carried, but I knew myself and the sin and brokenness of my own life and how the Lord restored me…and if the Lord could redeem me, there was no doubt, not one iota, that He could do that in you. The blood of Jesus Christ is all-powerful!

I kept asking the Lord for wisdom and that some how, some miraculous way you would know and believe that you were precious to the Lord and that He loved you completely, without any conditions, that the day you acted your best and the day you were most ashamed, that He loved you absolutely on both days and every one in between and for all eternity! I have experienced the Lord’s grace and mercy in such a profound way and I desperately wanted you to know it in your soul.

I had “In Christ Alone”, a modern hymn, in my Bible and on the side of the paper I had taken notes for a sermon I heard. I have no idea what the sermon was on or what was written in the margin, but I wanted you to walk off the plane with the truth, “no guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me…”

In Christ Alone lyrics

Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard;

In Christ alone my hope is found


He is my light, my strength, my song


This Cornerstone, this solid ground


Firm through the fiercest drought and storm



What heights of love, what depths of peace


When fears are stilled, when strivings cease


My Comforter, my All in All


Here in the love of Christ I stand



In Christ alone, who took on flesh


Fullness of God in helpless Babe


This gift of love and righteousness


Scorned by the ones He came to save



Til on that cross as Jesus died


The wrath of God was satisfied


For every sin on Him was laid


Here in the death of Christ I live,

There in the ground His body lay


Light of the world by darkness slain


Then bursting forth in glorious Day


Up from the grave He rose again



And as He stands in victory


Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me


For I am His and He is mine


Bought with the precious blood of Christ



No guilt in life, no fear in death


This is the power of Christ in me


From a life’s first cry to final breath


Jesus commands my destiny



No power of hell, no scheme of man


Could ever pluck me from His hand


Til He returns or calls me home


Here in the power of Christ I stand



I couldn’t help but put these words to the song in our story, because regularly when I hear or sing this song, you come to my mind. We parted ways, you heading home and I was continuing on to Florida, amazed with the intentionality of the Lord. I prayed for you as I flew the rest of the way across the USA.

Betty: When I got on that plane to Dallas....and saw you....I thought you were the most beautiful person I had ever seen....but when you spoke about Jesus.....I thought I was sitting with an angel....Your words just flowed like someone else was speaking....and I know it was the Holy Spirit.....I needed someone to talk to....My father was about to have to start kidney dialysis....He was 89 years old at the time....and I lived in Dallas and yearned to be closer to him so I could help my mother...For 6 years I had been driving 3 1/2 hours each way to be with my family on my days off and I was so tired.....You ministered to me on that plane ride and consoled me like you had known me all my life...What an impression you made that day......You prayed for me and told me how much Jesus loved me.....but I really didn't think He did.....When we said goodbye that day....I knew I would never forget you and what you had with God.

Back to our "normal" lives- August & September 2007-2008

Yvonne: We moved to Fresno August 21, 2007 and the Lord kept impressing on my heart to either call or email you just to say hello and let you know I was thinking about you. On the plane you said you either didn’t have a Bible or if you did, you didn’t have any idea where it was. I am not sure if I am remembering that correctly, but I couldn’t wait to go to Berean Book Store and get a Bible for you with your name inscribed on it, hoping that you would know that the Lord wanted to show you how much He loved you.

Betty: A miracle happened about a week later....I was offered a job in Austin....only 1 hour from my parents.....My father started dialysis on the 16th of September,2007....With this new job.....I was able to take the days off I needed to be with him and help my mother by driving him to the clinic....People his age usually can't take the harshness of dialysis....but he wanted to live and he never complained about the huge needles that were used and having to be stuck sometimes up to 5 times before they could get it right or the having to sit still for 5 hours because if he moved his arm...they might have to start over again.....I wanted to cry each time I drove him to the clinic....because every time...he would say "thank you hon" .Eventually it got worse and worse for him.....sometimes he would be so weak...he couldn't get out of the car...and we had to call an ambulance to help us.....I thought of quitting my job....but was hoping for a miracle that American would offer an early retirement package...They had been talking about it for months and months...and on September 5th,2008....I was able to move in with my parents to care for my father.....

Now...going back when I received the bible you sent me.....I couldn't believe you would send me a bible....and then to have my name placed on it....There are no words to say how grateful I was for you to do that for me. And to continue to call me with no answer from me....I can only say how sorry I am.....I suppose I was running from God....and if I talked to you....I would have to think about Him....but....even after moving 3 times.....I carried that brown paper with your name and address on it with me each time.....I only threw it away a few months ago.....

2009

Yvonne: My heart soared the day, about a year and a half after we met, you answered the phone. It was in April of 2009 (maybe…I am not so good with dates. J) I was flying and didn’t even need a plane to do it. I felt then that the Lord had given me such a gift in hearing your voice. The Lord continued to bring you to my mind over the last year and a half we didn’t have communication and I would speak of you to my family and some dear friends in the Lord.

Betty: My father continued to get worse....and my mind was all consumed with him....never having the relationship I wish I had had with God during this time.....and when it was my fathers last day on earth....it was not an easy death for him and I blamed God for deserting him.....My father was buried exactly 1 year after I retired....September 5th,2009....I feel like I lost my soul this past year.....

Summer through November 2010

Betty: I was so disappointed in God.....and my grief nearly destroyed me......but I started comforting others who lost people in their lives....telling them things about God that I didn't apply to my own life......and finally,I did something I didn't have to do for someone whose mother had died.....and God touched me with His glory and my heart changed.....I knew true love for Him...and I knew His true love for me.....all the tightness in my chest was gone and I had only joy.....When I went places....people looked at me differently....I saw everyone how God sees them....with great love.....I decided never to let go of Him.....again..........That feeling has faded.....but I will wait for it again...No matter how long it takes...That's when He put it in my heart to start reading the bible....and I wanted to tell you but didn't have your last name anymore.......I opened my bible and there you had written such sweet words to me and had included your first and last name....I am so thankful for that.....and here we are......again....So thankful for you......You are my gift!

Yvonne: A few months ago, I tried to find you on Facebook and your name didn’t pop up, and didn’t know if we would ever be able to connect on this earth again. Praise the name of Jesus, He knows our heart’s desires! I love His perfect timing.

November 12, 2010

Yvonne: Facebook Friend Request--“Are you the Yvonne Downs who I met on a plane and sent me a Bible?” I read that, squealed and told Charlotte, a gal who lives with us, “Betty Nobles Facebooked me!” The Lord has used you to teach me more of His relentless pursuit of us, that He is our Shepherd and will find His Sheep. I know that He will continue to use you to care for others as they grieve in this world of pain and brokenness and that nothing compares to knowing Christ Jesus our Lord, the God of all comfort. Thank you for letting me see into your life the work the Lord is doing in you! Oh how He loves us!!

After 3 1/2 years of asking the Lord for Betty to know and believe the love of Jesus, the Lord has answered!!! I glory in Him.

The message below is part of the first interaction Betty and I have had in a year and a half:

Betty: Yvonne....God is so amazing and shows us His love in so many ways......I had kept the wrapping from the bible you sent me for many years.....and just last year threw it away....never knowing how much I needed to tell you thank you for never giving up on me and for your prayers for me......Oh how I wished I hadn't thrown it away......and I picked up my bible this morning....and read the words you wrote in side....and there your last name stood........God DOES love me!

Does this encourage your heart and grow your faith? We are so loved by Jesus Christ! Let's daily remember His love and live in it!