Jerusalem Day 2 June 15

We were up this morning at the regular Sunday time. the Service at Christ Church Jerusalem starts at 9:30. The worship was great, and the Pastor, David, preached a a wonderful message on God's ministry to Abraham and Sarah. It is always a great day when I learn something about the Word that I didn't know! I took this on the way to worship this morning. The church on the left of this picture is over the room of the Last Supper, and Domition Church is on the right, and near the tomb of King David...(Mount Zion)

We met George & Manya Egerton at church, ten time zones from home! In the afternoon we went on a bus tour of the city. It was great the bus had air, and we were able to see lots of great sites. There are many of ancient buildings
that have been gutted and rebuilt on the inside, but retain the original structure on the outside. I think that the one on the left is a Greek Seminary.

The last picture is the western wall taken from the top of a garden which overlooks the Valley of Ghenna. This part of the valley near the Jaffa Gate has been turned into a park and an artists colony. We finished our day at the Ben Yehuda Market....which is not as frenetic as the Suk in the Moslem Quarter. They even have price tags! It was great not having to bargain for every item of our supper.

I was reading this morning in 1 Kings 15 & Col. 1. What appropriate passages for Fathers' Day! They reveal the legacy that both paternal and spiritual fathers have on those who follow them. Most of us don't really understand the degree of influence that our words and behavior has upon those over which the Lord has given us charge. Jereboam.."walked in the way of his fathers and did evil in the sight of the Lord." He followed Soloman who had turned away from the Lord (1Kgs.11:9&10) Both he and Basha who followed him led the people of Israel astray. God was dishonoured and the life Israel was marked by conspiracy struggle and death. But Asa didn't follow the actions of his predecessor, but instead followed after his spiritual father David, and was righteous before the Lord. He destroyed the idols and punished those who worshiped foreign Gods...even his own mother! God was honoured and Judah prospered under his leadership. The cycle can be brokenby one righteous leader who obeys God's call.

The reading in Colossians reveals the same process. Paul and Epaphras acted with righteousness and integrity. They had a heart to see people's lives changed, and because they pursued that integrty and call, the church in Colossae flourished. There is a lesson here for both the fathers of children and the "fathers" of congregations.