In God We Trust

I'm going to give you the run down briefly on today's activities and then get into some of the thoughts that have been formulating in my mind since my visit to Bethlehem. Today we spent the day in the area of the Dead Sea. As you leave Jerusalem and move toward the Dead Sea the land quickly moves from fertile dessert to barren dessert. The Dead Sea is a spectacular sight to behold. It is the lowest place on Earth, some 1,000 feet below sea level. The Dead Sea is surrounded by mountains. Depending on the time of day the mountains are only visible on one side of the Dead Sea due to being so extremely below sea level.

We visited Masada where Herod built a beautiful palace. Later when Rome had burned Jerusalem, the Jewish rebels held out at Masada. They ended up committing suicide rather than falling into slavery at the hands of the Romans. Now in ruins, Masada is nothing but some old rocks on a mountain. Getting up there was scary... I thought I was going to die. I hate heights.

We then visited Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. It was very interesting to see the caves and such. Lastly we went to the Dead Sea where some got in and floated. I on the other hand sat by the beach and wrote in my note book.

Tonight after diner we visited the Jerusalem Church of the Nazarene. Its very small. Remember, Christians aren't appreciated here due to a lil part of history called the Crusades. Here we learned about a reconciliation mission. The reconciliation between Messianic Jews and Palestinian Arab Christians is definitely needed. There is so much hate between the Jews and Palestinians.

As Americans, and you won't like this at all, but we are ignorant to what the people here (Jew and Palestinian) go through. There is hurt on all sides. Little do we Americans know that we're a huge part of the problem. We need to find a way to help bring reconciliation. It won't be easy, but it is our responsibility as Christians to be peace makers.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.