WALKING IN THE OLD CITY

Probably one of the most important trips I have ever taken in my life is to the little giant of a country named Israel. Coming from a relatively small town, at the time I never believed it could ever be possible, but somehow God helped me be disciplined enough at that time to get the money together to travel into Ben Gurion airport and to the City of Jerusalem, God's holy city.

It was such a blessing for me to be able to travel to Israel. For me, there were so many times that I could sense there was an actual God moment where Jesus actually walked, and yet there were other times I could tell there was a bit of the tourist industry at hand. My first picture of Israel was as we drove up over a hill overlooking the city and immediately my eyes welled up as I recalled when Jesus stood and wept over the city wishing He could take them in as a mother hen does her chicks. I could actually imagine being there when He was there.

We went into Jerusalem that first night and settled in, with a little bit of jet lag and a lot of excitement. The hotel room was sufficient enough, we spent some time in the Word and woke up the next morning ready for a new adventure. Touring the city of Jerusalem.

I think perhaps the most interesting places were those things that I wasn't used to. Those markets for instance with skinned food was hanging in the windows as patrons passed by or went in to get their food. I loved the Western Wall.

That was when the Bible started to come alive for me. At that time, we had a little angel named Lydia that was fighting to get a liver transplant, and I was able to go the wall, and put little Lydias picture in between a couple of the stones as I prayed for her and her family. As I look back at that I can hardly wrap my mind around it. Seems impossible, but God has proven to me time and time again that all things are possible with Him.

We were able to walk through the gates of the Old City. There is so much I can tell you of my impressions at that time. Our tour guide was Schlomo, and there are times even now I wonder if he is still alive. But my inner tour guide, my Jesus, placed the picture in my mind that one of these days.....one of these days folks.....I would be walking on streets of gold in the New Jerusalem. I tried to picture in my mind how beautiful those scriptural references to the New Jerusalem are, and my heart just leapt for joy.

Another place that I loved was Gethsemane and the Eastern Gate. Gethsemane is such a beautiful peaceful place and I can imagine at the time that it possible was even a larger garden than it is now. I could see why Jesus would want to be there to speak to the Father. There is a church (I believe (the Church of the Nations) that has carbondated a large block of rock that is believed to have some from that time period when Jesus was in the Garden.

The Eastern Gate- well the Eastern gate is so important for so many reasons, but at that time, and even now it reminds me of the Easter joy of the resurrection and the joy my father has every time he wakes me up singing "Up From The Grave He Arose"

Jerusalem.....ah Jerusalem.....How I would love to take you under my wing.....

Please pray for the peace of this City of God. It is an amazing place, and it is the City of God.


Blessings to you all...

Shalom

brenda