Heart Hope by Olga

While in Israel I walked where Jesus walked. I went to Capernaum and saw Peter's house and then to the temple just steps away. Did I touch the same dirt, breathe the same air, and see the same stones that Jesus had? Possibly. But does it really matter of it is the actually the exact spot? Not really. Just being in the area where Jesus had His earthly ministry is life changing. To see the places where important events took place help you to better visualize your Bible. Before going on my trip I had been told that a journey to Israel would make my Bible like a pop-up book instead of flat pages and it's true. Now as I read, I can place myself in places that we saw. Often throughout Israel churches have been built directly on the site where something important happened, but the structure built where Peter's house is believed to have been is raised above the site so you can actually look down on the home where Jesus may have performed the miracles. It's much l...

While on the plane going to Israel a lady who was clearly an Israeli was sitting next to me. She had boarded the plane fully prepared for the long flight by  immediately putting on her bedroom slippers and mask in anticipation of the overnight journey. However when dinner was served I couldn't resist starting up a conversation. The lady was returning home from visiting her son in the US and was happy to share information about her trip and her country. She informed me that I should be sure to eat the white cheese and to drink tea with nana, which I later found out was mint. She wanted to be sure I would be going to the Holocaust Memorial and float in the Dead Sea. As the conversation was winding down I asked her what the most important thing to know regarding safety. Now I must say I was not expecting the answer I got. She told me that if I saw a bomb coming toward me to run to the closest building and duck and cover. I had been thinking more about pickpockets than ...

You might not think that the biggest losers would be found on a trip to Israel, but you might classify Doris and me as the "biggest losers" in our group. No, we weren't the biggest losers of weight, due to eating three multi-course meals daily for the entire trip. However we could be called the biggest losers of possessions. Prior to the trip we were told that we needed to be very cautious while traveling in Israel, not only because of the unrest and violence that we might experience, but also regarding money and possessions. So, we began using the safe provided by the hotel. We would place cash, credit cards, jewelry, even iPads in there when we left the room. We had a lovely room on the first level of the hotel which had a patio area that overlooked the Sea of Galilee and the pool deck. It was beautifully nestled in the palm trees with birds of paradise flanking the railing. There was just one problem, the door would not lock and we didn't like the i...

Washcloth was among the myriad of other things on the list of things to take on the trip to Israel. It was the only thing I didn't pack as instructed, after all they would certainly have them in the hotel room. At the first two hotels there was no problem, but at hotel number three, there were none in the rooms. A note had been placed on the bed telling us that they wanted to provide excellent service, and if we needed anything in order to make our stay more enjoyable, just let them know.  A stop at the front desk and I was promised that it would be delivered. Two hours later I was still waiting. On my way back to the front desk, I encountered a hotel employee with a cart and followed him to the "employee only" door. I asked for a washcloth and he holds up two towels, I shook my head. He then held up a roll of paper towels, again I shook my head no. All the while holding my hand in a small square and then rubbing my face. He then tried to give me shampoo. No ...

As Christ followers we are commanded to profess our faith through baptism. Each denomination has their own way of displaying the act. Some choose baby baptism in order to seal the child from birth. Others encourage children to be sprinkled when they join the church. And others wait for the individuals to get dunked when they put their faith and trust in Jesus. Since I have had all three I guess I can give my opinion on which I think is right. Since babies can't make the decision to know and love Jesus at that age I feel that it is more a commitment from the parents to raise the child in a way that they will desire that relationship as they grow up. If a child understands the choice that they are making when they join the church and that is a profession of their faith that's great. However, I always felt like I had missed out by not being dunked, so as an adult, I went one more time for the sacrament of baptism. Did any of these save me? No. I did them because I ...