New Adventures!

I traveled around Jerusalem yesterday with my teacher, Dr. Wright. Here is Dr. Wright teaching some of us.

This particular photo happens to be on the stairs that led up to the Temple Mount in the 1st Century AD. In other words, it is where Jesus stood and taught. And it is where people came to debate, to learn, and to find God! It is believed that this may be the place where Peter gave his speech after Pentecost, when 3,000 people entered the Kingdom. Paul sat here, listening to his Rabbi Gamaliel in much the same way these students are sitting listening to Dr. Wright.

Here is a photo of a beautiful church (dedicated to Jesus' grandmother). It is right next to the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus told a lame man to get up and walk, and he did! This church is known as the singing Church. Some of the best vocalists in the world come here to sing praises to God, simply because of the acoustics of the place. We sang Amazing Grace and Be Thou My Vision here in this church, and a Japanese friend stood and sang a worship song in Japanese!

There is such a rich history in every single place we go! I love it! This next photo is something you may recognize. It is the Wailing Wall. Sometime soon I will revisit this wall, and get the chance to pray at it, like the Jews do so passionately.

At the very end of the very tiring day, we stood on top of a hotel and looked out over the city. Here is a photo that I really liked:

In the background, you see the famous gold-studded Dome of the Rock. But front and center, you see the cross. It's not very religious of me, but this reminds me of Indiana Jones 3, when Indiana has to choose the Holy Grail. He looks at all the shiny ones that lead to death, and finally picks the carpenter's cup, which leads to life. Sometimes the best answer isn't what we think. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Choosing to follow Christ may seem foolish to some, but only in following Christ is there the power of God!