The pools of Bethesda

Here are the excavations of the pools of Bethesda. This was where Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son Isaac, it later became the pools where the Jews cured the animals for sacrifice that had impurities or broken limbs (quite appropriate) before they were taken to the temple to be sacrificed. Jesus also performed his third miracle here when he healed the man who had been paralised for 38 years.

The house of Ciaphas, the pit (Psalm 88)

This picture shows the excavations of the house of Ciaphas and the pit where Jesus was held on the night before he was crucified.

While in the pit Jesus prayed Psalm 88. It is encouraging to know that the Lord also felt hardship and struggle, yet presented himself to God for mercy and care.

Sabbath at the Western Wall (the temple mount)

A photo of the start of the Sabbath at the Western Wall (also called the wailing wall). Well, actually the Sabbath will start at 18h30, it is now 16h30.

It is great to be back again.

An absolutely unique view of the dome of the rock and the temple mount.

This must surely be one of the most special views of the old city of Jerusalem, as you look out over the city you can see the temple mount and the 'dome of the rock'.

We had a very special prayer time here this morning.

Prayers for day two of the ten days of prayer before Pentecost

This afternoon we gathered to pray as a group. For 10 days people throughout the world are preparing for the Global Day of Prayer where 212 of the world's 220 nations will join in united prayer for our world, and God's gracious desire and will for the world.

This photograph was taken in the 'prayer tower' where Christians from all denominations gather to pray 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year. The prayer tower is at the top of an office block on the Jaffa road in Jerusalem. It is quite a unique experience to be here with Dutch Reformed, Catholic, Charismatic, Methodist, Anglican, and a whole host of other Christians.

Today we prayed:

- That God would unite Christians in prayer, empowering people to pray pasionately for Christ's glory to be revealed in all the world.
- That God would hear and answer the prayers of the poor, the young and the marginalised, and that God would be glorified in their praises.
- That believers would be inspired by the Holy Spirit to bless their neighbours and friends.
- That where there are need in communities throughout the world people would be bold enough to call upon God for help, and bold enough to offer practical help to those who are in need.

To access a copy of the 10 day prayer guide please see the 10 days section of the Global day of prayer website - http://www.globaldayofprayer.com to download a PDF copy.

A picture of the Emmaus chapel ruins.

This is a picture of the ruins of the chapel at Emmaus (read about it in Luke 24). After Jesus was crucified Cleopas (meaning a well known father) and his unknown companion were travelling from Jerusalem to Emmaus.

The georgraphy of their trip is interesting (I have blogged this previousl, so please forgive me!) They are journeying, downhearted and dejected from Jerusalem (in the East, where the sun rises and thet day begins) westward towards Emmaus where the sun sets and the darkness of night consumes them. Yet, it is in this dark place that they encounter the Lord in the breaking of bread! The experience is so significant that they are inspired to return and share the good news of his resurection from the dead with the disciples who remain fearful in the upper room.

This return to light, so to speak (from West to East) marks the dawn of a new era in the faith. Apostolic witness is extended beyond the remaining 11 disciples, and it the good news is shared through unknown people (a famous father and his unknown companion)!

Anyway, I thought this geography added an interesting layer to the Lukan Emmaus narrative.

Of course one could also consider the elements of topography (i.e. The fact that the journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus is from the mountains down to the coastal plain - a depression of sorts, and then a hard return to the city. But, that is a heresy for another post!)

By the way, can anyone tell me what data will cost on roaming (MTN on Orange Israel?)

Tel Aviv in the morning

We landed in Tel Aviv this morning at 6am Israeli time (that's 5am South African time). We were greeted by a lovely sunrise. We're off to the Western Wall today. I hope to post pictures as I am able. We're now on our way past Emmaus.

It is great to be back in Israel.

Let the games begin...

This is what I'm taking to Israel. The most important piece of kit are my crutches... At least with these they believe me when the steel pin in my leg sets off the security alarm!

There are few places as beautiful as this across the world!

I am grateful for the incredible places I've been across the world! There certainly are some amazing views, some wondeful people and some exotic locations out there.

However, this photo shows the Vergelegen (Dutch for 'distant location') wine farm in Somerset West. I had to drive 7 whole minutes to get there! The farm itself was established in 1700 by the governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stell (Pete, who is a real historian can correct the facts if I'm wrong).

When I see views like these I am reminded that I live in one of the most beautiful and exotic places in the world! Sure, Somerste West does have a bit more to see than many other places in South Africa, but I'm sure the South African readers of this site could fill pages and pages with the names and experiences of locations they've visited in Southern Africa.

I loved Israel the last time I was there, and I look forward to visiting manyvery significant places in the week to come, but I can't wait to get home to my family and these wonderful views!

How's this for a view on the way to school?

This photo was taken from Spanish Farm road in Somerset West (Cape Town), this is the view that my daughter gets on the way to school. Spanish farm road is a great road to train on for the Argus Cycle tour! It is about 1km from our current home, and about the same distance form our old home. I can't tell you how incredible it is to live in paradise! We're so pleased to be back.

Mertyl is back in action! The most beautiful Vespa in the world is back on the road!

Today I rode my Vespa for the first time since the accident! I can't kick start it, but as you can see I have plenty of slopes on which to push start it in second gear. Wow! It sure feels great to have just this little ride on the paving outside our house! When I get back from Israel in two weeks I hope to be strong enough on my leg to ride the Vespa and the BMW! By the way, the leg you can see here was the one which was broken in the accident, and the panel just in front of
it was the one that was smashed. Doesn't the Vespa look fantastic!?

Freedom day. 14 years on - aluta continua

I remember where Megan and I were 14 years ago today. It was 27 April 1994, Megan and I were serving on the Golden West Circuit, one of the appointments we had was in the Khokosi Township just outside of Fochville in the Northwest province. Our Bishop was Peter Storey, he and Mvume Dandala (who was then the minister of the Central Methodist Mission in JHB) had arranged that all Methodist Clergy in the district were trained as peace officers since there was a rising tide of political violence, and government instigated interference to de-rail our first ever democratic elections in South Africa.

Megan and I had also been trained as voting officials, we had run workshops in the two townships that were geographically in our circuit, Khokosi and Khutsong, and I was on the executive of the peace initiative in the area. Khokosi was a Pan Africanist Congress stronghold - just in that week in the run up to the elections I had been approached by Rev Itumeleng Thlakanye to help secure the release of some young men in the community who had been arrested. It was a tense time.

There had been various instances of violence (bombings at the airport, the deaths of a number of right wing extremists in a botched raid, massive conflict between the ANC and IFP in KwaZulu Natal)... To be honest, we all expected some trouble on the day of the elections...

But, on the 27th of April 1994 Megan and I cast our votes in Khokosi (early in the morning), and then spent the rest of the day driving my little white Golf between Khokosi, Fochville, Carletonville and Khutsong monitoring the elections. We both wore the blue and white 'bibs' of the peace initiative, I wore a clerical shirt (at the request of our Bishop). The lines were long, but the mood was high! It is truly a memorable event - certainly one of the highlights of my life!

It was a peaceful day, a miracle of God's grace! I had formerly been a member of the UDF (United Democratic Front) at WITS University, and my interests were certainly in the area of the African National Congress. Well, you can work out for yourself which party got my vote in that first election... In fact, if I recall, 63% of the South African population voted for the ANC. It was wonderful when Mr Mandela took up the presidency.

We had such great hope! It truly was the dawning of a 'New South Africa'!

Sadly, some of that hope has started to fade. Yes, we have seen some remarkable strides being made on issues of national and social concern, but in many areas we have retreated. Corruption is high, morals are low, many seem to be in government not for the sake of bettering the lives of ordinary people, but rather to grab power and acquire personal wealth.

I had a choice to leave South Africa at the end of last year - a job at a fantastic University in America - but we decide to stay! It is only 14 years on... We have over 350 years of oppression, and in 14 years we have done some significant work to 'untie' many of those knots.

I want to encourage those who are contemplating leaving South Africa to pray about the impact you could have by staying here. I want to encourage all Christians to pray for our nation, and to pray for those whom we elect to govern us. I want to encourage all of us to be unashamedly ethical, and willing to go the extra mile to do those things that we long for our government to do. Churches, let's do our bit to build homes, to establish credible educational institutions, let's heal the sick (both by prayer, but also by establishing clinics and hospitals), let's equip our members to make sound choices in their workplaces and homes, let's help people to gain freedom from the slavery of debt, and empower them to make decisions about their lives (and the lives of those whom they love).

Each day I pray those words from the Lord's prayer Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven - I realise that I am responsible to be one of God's answers to that prayer.

The struggle is not yet over! Let's celebrate the victories of freedom that we have won, but let's take seriously that we have a responsibility to disciple a nation! Aluta continua!

Happy Freedom Day!

Today I am spending some time with my wife and children - I am getting ready for a trip to Israel later this week.

Technorati tags: South Africa, Freedom Day, 27 April, aluta continua, discipling a nation