Aug 30, 2017

Finding the silence to hear GodBy: C4i

Silence and quiet are necessary ingredients for spiritual growth. The voice of God is best heard when you're truly listening to Him and not dividing your attention with anything trivial.

Problem is, that's easier said than done.

Most of us live in a constant din of noise and information. Family life is more hectic and complicated than it's ever been before. The expectations placed on the modern family require a kind of hyperactive hustle and bustle, shuttling kids between youth groups, sports, dance or music practice, and more. On top of that, the line between work and home has never been blurrier. With email communication, remote work, and "quick check in” texts, its getting harder and harder to even fully "leave” the job. And of course, then there is the increasingly deafening background static of social media feeds and 24 hour news cycles we all live in now. 

Is it any wonder it feels impossible to slow down and breathe? 

Our world isn't geared for silence and calm. It's geared for motion and activity. That means we can't just wait around and hope for a quite time or space where we can concentrate on our spiritual walk with the Lord. We need to make an effort to find that peace and quiet.

Turn off the background chatter

Next time you have a moment to yourself, don't reach for the TV remote, the MP3 player, or your phone. We've been conditioned to expect a constant stream of input and background noise in our lives, but sometimes the best thing to do is simply unplug and spend some time alone with your thoughts.

Take a moment to just listen to the sounds around you. Listen to the rhythm of your breathing, feel your pulse beat and be aware of your own presence. Listen for what is around you, the sounds in the distance that are usually drowned out, the quiet rustle of the leaves, birds and insects living their small lives, other people, families, motorists, and neighbours going about their business. Concentrate on your place in the world and the miracle of creation around you. 

Go where you can be on your own

Sometimes, it's impossible to find a quiet moment at home or at work. With busy active families and hectic work environments, peace and quiet just isn't on the menu. That's okay, it just means you might need to go a little out of your way to find some silence.

It's a bit of a cliché, but try taking a walk. Moving on your own, away from glowing screens and chatter, can help you find a bit of peace in the middle of an otherwise chaotic day.

This is something you can just make part of your routine, take a walk during your lunch break, or after dinner. You don't need to find some picturesque hiking trail or amazing lakeside path out in the middle of nowhere to enjoy some soothing, restorative solitude. Just walking around the block in your neighborhood can be a nice way to unwind and decompress, to clean out some of the metal debris and detritus that builds up over the average day. 

Listen up

When you do find some quiet, make the most of it. Instead of dwelling on your thoughts, going over what needs to be done for the day, whatever else, concentrate on what God is saying to you. Contemplate His lessons, the beauty He has made for us, what He wants for you in your life.

Not all noise comes from outside sources. As humans, we have plenty of distractions bouncing around in our own heads. It can take a bit of effort to turn off the facet of ideas, worries, and anxieties your mind leaves running at all times, but its worth it.

Make the silence you need in your life to hear what God is saying to you.
[Comment]

Aug 23, 2017

The history and wonder of the Old City of AcreBy: C4i

 
Israel is a country rich in history. From Jerusalem to the Negev desert, there are a seemingly endless number of sites, monuments, and temples from the past of immeasurable historic worth. Still, none quite compare with the Old City of Acre, a city frozen in time.

Estimated to be approximately 4,000 years old, Acre (or Akko) has seen it's share of history. Located on the water, Acre played an important role as a major seaport and center for trade throughout the ages and has been the site of conflict many times during its long history. Four separate dominant religions have claimed Acre throughout the years, and each has left their own distinct mark on the city.

Jewish temples dot the city. Grand mosques still stand from when the Muslims held the area. The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh still stands from the Bahai religion. During the Crusader period, the city rapidly expanded and took on Christian influences, reflected in both its architecture and fortifications. As the Crusader presence vanished in the area, residents began to build over the remnants of the past as they had done so many times before.

This is what gives Acre its unique historical value. The city is layered, as if different periods of history were draped over each other. Sometimes figurative, but also literally. Underneath the streets of Acre lies a subterranean city lost to time, a relic from the Crusader era that can still be explored and seen today. It's this completely unique opportunity to step back in time and experience it for yourself that makes Acre so incredible and why it was designated a UNESCO world heritage site.

Acre has been referred to as the Pompeii of Roman time. A remarkably preserved moment, like a photograph you can walk through. Beneath the Ahmeh El-Jazzar's citadel, the Crusader City can be explored. This massive underground structure was once the headquarters of the Crusader army. Here, knights would gather, plan, rest, and congregate. It's a stunning display of ancient architecture that has managed to survive for centuries.

Of course, the city served not just as a fortification, but as a way to safely navigate the city. The "Templar’s tunnel” was a strategic underground passage that provided easy access to the port. Over 350 meters long and carved in natural stone, walking it feels like exploring something out of an Indian Jones movie, a kind of secret history from another time.

Above ground, the walls of the city still stand today. These giant fortifications wrap around the whole of the Old City. Where once they operated to fend off invaders and secure the city from attack, they now provide a picturesque view of the City and a unique visual identity to Acre. 

The Ahmeh El-Jazzar's citadel itself is worth a tour. This 18th century monstrosity was once used a prison by the British. Here the British authorities held captured Jewish fighters. Today, the prison houses a museum dedicated to those same prisoners and other Jews who were executed during imperial reign. 
And peeking over the water, proud on a sea-line cliff-wall is St. John's Church. This brightly coloured red and white church stands out as a uniquely bright and strangely modern (despite being constructed in 1737) building  in the middle of Acre's dusty browns and ancient stonework. While historic in its own right, the church was actually built over the site of an even earlier 12th century Crusader church. 

And that's the story of Acre in a nutshell. Layer over layer of history and time built up over and over again. 
[Comment]

Aug 18, 2017

Nobody has perfect faith, and that's okayBy: C4i

Self-doubt is something many of us struggle with in our spiritual walk. We all have moments when we fail to live up to the person we want to be. When we struggle to rise to a particular challenge, or fall short of what we know God would want from us. In our darkest moments, we may question the strength of our faith. 

This is especially true when you start comparing yourself to others. When you look at other people who seem to have a flawless faith, a kind of perfect clarity in their life. Whether you're looking to great figures from the Bible, modern icons, or just acquaintances and friends who don't seem to grapple with the same issues, the comparison isn't always flattering. When stacked up in such a way, it can be easy to start wondering if your faith is as real as you think it is.

The truth is, nobody has perfect faith. 

No matter how great a person may be, what wonderful acts of service they've performed, or however confident they may appear, each and every person has experienced some moment of doubt or weakness. From history's greatest ministers down to the leader of your Bible study group, we're all human. Perfection is something that belongs to the Divine, it will never be within our reach.

This isn't meant to shame others or "take them down a peg” by insisting that nobody is as good as they appear. Far from it. It's good to recognize the strength and character of others, to be inspired and moved by the examples we have. But, it's also important to maintain perspective. We're all flawed and we all have our own chaos and doubts. Our faith may not be perfect, but that's not the point.

Jesus embraced plenty of imperfect people. He made disciples out of former tax collectors, ate at the table of sinners and criminals, and openly walked with those society considered unclean or undesirable. He entrusted his ministry to men who denied him, men who doubted his resurrection, catastrophically imperfect men who failed Him when it mattered the most. 

But, He had faith in them - even if their own faith was imperfect.

"it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners".[Mark 2:17]

God knows we're imperfect, but He loves us anyway. 

Don't allow self-doubt, negative comparisons to others, or past failures to weigh down your spiritual walk. Acknowledge your shortcomings, try to improve on them in the future, and make peace with being a sorely imperfect human who is never going to nail it 100% of the time. Keep your heart open to God even when you feel like you're not worthy and try your best to lead a Christian life even knowing you'll slip up here and there.

That's not perfect faith, but it's close enough.

[Comment]

Aug 14, 2017

Jewish students discover 900 year old jewelry in a Crusader-era kitchenBy: C4i

Photo: Vered Bosidan, Israel Antiquities Authority. 

What did you bring to lost and found when you were a kid? Some interesting knick-knack from a tourist trap? Maybe something from your parent's workplace? Or, were you one of the kids clutching a volcanic geode like it was the latest and greatest thing? Whatever it was, it probably wasn't as cool as what student volunteers found during a recent excavation at Givat Tittora in Modi'in.

Givat Tittora has been the site of an ongoing excavation effort for the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The massive dig has been supported by a cooperative effort of local volunteers and schools. Each day, schoolchildren from grades 4-12 help with the dig while being given a cultural education on the importance of Israeli history and archeology.

Of course, history lessons pale in comparison to finding actual historical treasure! 

This was the case for Mati Yohanaoff and other students working through the inner courtyard of a 900 year old Crusader fortress. Digging through a kitchen area, they uncovered a trove of ancient jewelry lost to time. The items included bronze and silver rings, bracelets, hairpins, and earrings – everything you need to get ready for a night out.

How so much jewelry got lost in the first place though is a matter of speculation. This isn't like losing a bobby pin down the sofa cushions. Any jewelry, let alone any pieces made with precious metals would have been prized possessions for the cooking staff. It's likely that these items were among the most valuable they owned.

The most convincing theory is that the women preparing food would take the jewelry off prior to any cooking to preserve their luster and shine. Over time, it's not surprising that a few rings or earrings would be bumped off a table and roll somewhere out of the way. Add enough years, and you end up with a small collection of misplaced jewelry just waiting to be found.  

While the jewelry is the most exciting of the finds so far, the rest of the Crusader-era fortress has provided some interesting discoveries as well. As well as the usual things such as serving dishes, pots, and clay ovens, volunteers have also discovered the remnants of ancient foods! Long lasting evidence of meals gone-by such as olive pits, charred grape seeds, and animals bones have been found as well. 

Okay, so many some petrified pits and bones are not quite as exciting as the jewelry, but they are still interesting finds in their own right. 

This is just the start for the Givat Tittora dig. The IAA plans to continue the excavation with the help of local schools and volunteers for years to come. So far, volunteers have surfaced the courtyard of the ancient fortress, but it is suspected there is still more to find and the site will expand as more buildings and locations are unearthed. 

Today, Israeli students are finding leftovers and jewelry, who knows what they may find tomorrow. Israel is a land that never seems to run out of fascinating secrets waiting to be uncovered.
[Comment]

Aug 9, 2017

Celebrating Israeli icons: Gal GadotBy: C4i

 
Wonder Woman may be an American icon, but the actress that portrays her is pure Israeli. Raised in the relatively small town of Rosh HaAyin, Gal Gadot has found success bringing not only her unique looks to the screen, but her distinctly Israeli personality and values.

Gal Gadot started her career as a model became a quick success in the field. Over the course of her modeling career, Gadot has represented brands such as Gucci fragrances, Jaguar, and the fashion brand Castro. She's appeared on the cover of numerous publications such as Glamour and Entertainment Weekly. All of that however pales in comparison with her victory in the 2004 Miss Israel beauty pageant.

Winning such an honour would help propel any young model to stardom, but Gadot's career needed to take a little detour first. Winning the Miss Israel prize at the age of 18, Gadot, like every other Israeli citizen, was soon scheduled to complete her mandatory two year military service.

She could have tried to get out of it. She certainly wouldn't have been the first high-profile model of celebrity to try and avoid service in the interest of furthering their career. But Gadot had no intention of shirking her duty. She performed her two year service with distinction and poise.

Ironically, this decision may have helped her career in ways that she never would have guessed. Gadot's time in the military provided her with the sense of duty and discipline that helped her prepare for the rigors of producing a blockbuster film.

"You’ve got to give back to the state. You give two or three years, and it’s not about you. You give your freedom away. You learn discipline and respect.”

On top of that, it also gave Gadot a real working knowledge of military hardware and tactics, and a bit of a thrill-seeking side. Gadot found a love for motorcycles during her time in the IDF and that need for speed combined with her extensive experience as a combat instructor made her a perfect fit for her breakout role as the hard-as-nails Gisele in The Fast & The Furious series. 

Gadot's star continued to rise, culminating in her lead role as Wonder Woman in the 2017 film. Wonder Woman, a film that tells the story of a strong, independently willed woman thrust into the middle of a seemingly intractable conflict with no easy answer in sight, seems like the perfect fit given Gadot and her nation's history. 

Despite rising to the level of international stardom and emerging as an icon for little girls across the globe with their own super hero to look up to, Gadot has never forgotten her roots. In social media and press appearances, Gadot makes her national pride known.

"I am sending my love and prayers to my fellow Israeli citizens, especially to all the boys and girls who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas, who are hiding like cowards behind women and children...We shall overcome!!! Shabbat Shalom!”

[Comment]

Aug 4, 2017

How important is it to attend Church every Sunday?By: C4i

Everywhere you look, the statistics for Church attendance seem grim. Across North America, fewer and fewer people are heading to God's House every weekend. Part of this can be attributed to the natural movement of our society, the unfortunate trends that have been in place for the past few decades.

However, there is another demographic that is inflating that number: Christians how no longer believe attending church every week is a necessary part of Christian life. 

There are a number of reasons people give as to why they don't feel like they need to regularly, or ever, attend church but still feel secure in their walk with God. Some of them are practical, work schedules (another unfortunate modern trend), scarce time available, and so on. Others are more elaborate. They tend to focus on criticisms of the church. These complaints run the gamut from concerns that the message or topics of the weekly sermons just don't connect with them, or that there is too much "hypocrisy” among the congregation, or pettiness. 

In some circles, it's even worn as a badge of honour. A way to seem sophisticated and cerebral about faith and modern Christendom. "Oh no, I don't go to church regularly anymore. I just think there is too much baggage with organized religion, so I follow my own path.”

It's true. The most important thing is your personal walk with God, that will never change. But writing off the importance and value of the church is a grave mistake that will, inevitably, damage your relationship with God.

Much of the problem lies in perception and overblown expectations. If going to church seems like such a tiring chore that you just can't bear for another hour and change out of your week, the problem might not be with your church. If as a Christian, you can't put yourself aside for one small chunk of time out of one day of the week, then maybe you need to take a look at your personal walk with Christ again. Is it really that the church is so bad that it is an obstacle to your walk with God, or do you just feel like sleeping in a bit on the weekend.

Please know this isn't coming from a judgmental place. We might not admit it, but every church going Christian occasionally grapples with the allure of warm blankets on a cold morning, fights against the ache in their bones and the desire for a lazy morning on the couch. But, we also find the strength to do what we know we should be doing in our hearts (most of the time, anyway).

It may be true (in fact it may be likely) that your church doesn't live up to your ideal vision of it. Congregations can be hypocritical, they can be judgmental, they can be petty. Of course they can be, as well-meaning as any congregation is, its always going to a collection of flawed, imperfect people. They're never going to live up to our expectations completely. 

Avoiding them, abandoning the church, because they are flawed is its own kind of failing, just as hypocritical as anything else. We need to come together to overcome our individual failures. If your church isn't living up to your ideal vision of what a church should be, that isn't a reason to avoid it, it's a reason to attend, to do your part to make it better. To make it what you believe it can be.

It's true, a person can be a Christian without going to church. The two ideas are not mutually exclusive and what is most important is your personal, internal relationship with God.

That said, it's a lot easier to grow that relationship with God when you have the stable foundation and mooring of a church. Just like a person can trek up the side of a mountain, build a cabin out of fallen timber and thatching, find their meals through foraging, and live out their life, you can be a Christian without going to church, it's just very, very difficult.

Going to Church is an important part of your spiritual nourishment. Even if the sermons aren't always electrifying and the parishioners sometimes less than perfect, there is still value in sharing in the truth of the Lord with your fellow Christian brothers and sisters. When more than one of us is gathered, the Spirit of the Lord moves with us. This is something you can't get on your own no matter how many devotionals you read or biblical podcasts you subscribe to. 

Our ability to gather isn't just good for our individual growth, it's an important part of spreading God's love throughout our communities. The simple fact is we can't accomplish as much on our own as we can in a group. You can be devoted, charitable, and bold in your outreach, but it will never equal up to what can be accomplished when you organize with your fellow Christians, when you band together to share the load. Walking away from the church is, in part, walking away from our responsibility to do good works as Christians.

It's not always perfect, but Church is, and always will be, important. 
[Comment]

Aug 2, 2017

WHY DID ISRAEL REMOVE THE METAL DETECTORS? By: Colin Wingfield

It is ludicrous to view metal detectors as a threat to freedom of Islamic worship, or a change to the status quo at the holy site. Nevertheless, Israel's defense establishment recommended removing the metal detectors. Why? Right now, Israel's enemies across the Middle East are busy fighting one another. Israel remains outside of the combat arenas. In the wider perspective, Israel's interest is not to enter into a new conflict. Israel has no interest in uniting the Islamic world against it. (Ynet) Continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. [Comment]

Aug 2, 2017

1,000 JEWS ASCEND TEMPLE MOUNT DURING TISHA B’AV:By: Colin Wingfield

More than 1,000 Jews ascended the Temple Mount on Tues. 1 August 217, during the annual Tisha B’Av fast, commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple nearly 2,000 years ago. Unlike Muslim visitors to the Mount, who are permitted to pray at the holy site and are not required to undergo any security check to enter, the Jewish visitors were required to pass through metal detectors, submit to security searches, and agree not to engage in prayer while visiting the Temple Mount. Special magnetometer metal detectors had been placed at all entrances to the Temple Mount last month, following the 14 July 2017 murder of two Israeli Border Police officers by a trio of Israeli-Arab terrorists near the Temple Mount. After less than two weeks, Israel removed not only the metal detectors, but also security cameras, following violent protests and a wave of terror attacks. While over 1,000 Jews were permitted to ascend the mount Tues. morning, hundreds more waited in line for hours at the entrance. (Arutz-7) [Comment]

Aug 2, 2017

JEWS COMMEMORATE TISHA B’AV ON TUES. 1 AUGUST 2017: By: Colin Wingfield

 Of the non-commanded biblical feast and fast days commemorated in Judaism, Tisha b’Av is the most somber. It is literally translated as the ninth day of Av, which is the fourth month in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of mourning, fasting and remembering the many tragedies experienced in Jewish history. One calamity is recorded in the book of 2 Kings, chapter 25, which details the horrors of the conquest of Jerusalem by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II. Following a lengthy siege on the capital, the city walls were breached, the Temple erected by King Solomon was plundered, ransacked and set ablaze. Officials and priest were killed as well as countless other Jews. Many thousands who escaped the genocide were taken captive by the Babylonians, bringing an end to the Davidic Empire and beginning the first exile out of the Promised Land. A later event allocated to the ninth of Av is the destruction of the Second Temple at the hands of the Romans in the year 70 A.D. The place of worship had been erected under the instruction of Cyrus the Great as described in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. On the day of the fast, all food and the drinking of all liquid is forbidden. No bathing or makeup is allowed. There are evening services and the book of Lamentations is read. Tisha b’Av fell on 1 August this year. And was observed from sunset Mondayuntil sundown on Tuesday. (Kehila News) [Comment]

Jul 31, 2017

Why do people keep stumbling on artifacts in Israel?By: C4i

 
It seems like every other month there is a new story about some lost relic turning up in Israel. Fishermen will pull an ancient helmet out of the harbor. A roadway crew will find a sack of Byzantine coins while putting in a new highway. A young boy playing on a hill will stumble upon a 3000-year-old statue.

The discovery of such items is becoming almost commonplace in Israel. Over the past year, accidental discoveries made by random citizens have become so frequent that one might suspect there is more than coincidence and chance at work. We have to ask ourselves why these finds are so common in Israel and so rare in other parts of the world.

There are practical explanations for this phenomenon of course, but also maybe something a little more.

A land of history and secrets

One of the obvious reasons for the preponderance of archeological finds in Israel is that there is simply more to find in Israel than in other nations! The land has a rich and varied history. It's seen the rise and fall of multiple kingdoms, hosted clashing armies from lands far and wide, and of course, been the site of the most important spiritual moments to ever occur on God's green Earth. It's only natural that there are going to be more artifacts and relics to turn up than most other places! 

For all this history though, it's important to remember how geographically small Israel is. As a nation, Israel is roughly the same size as the state of New Jersey or Vancouver Island! Thousands of years of human history and intrigue are packed into this tiny nation – is it any wonder people sometimes literally trip over ancient artifacts? 

Israel is also a nation that offers its secrets readily. Thanks to the dry and arid climate of most of the nation, the soil in large parts of Israel is shallow and hard. While the secrets of history might find themselves swallowed up in the soft, mossy depths of a Canadian forest, or encased in the frozen ice of Russia, they linger just under the surface of the ground in Israel. Preserved by heat, exposed to little moisture, and lurking tantalizingly close to the surface, the artifacts of Israel are practically screaming to be discovered.

A culture of responsibility

If you and your friends were out for a lazy weekend drive and you happened across a treasure chest brimming with gold coins, what would you do? If I was being honest, I'd have to say me and my friends would split the loot and run off into the sunset making pirate jokes.

That's not what six friends in Israel did. On a simple ride along the Mediterranean coast, a car load of Israelis happened to notice something gleaming on the seafloor while hanging out. Their curiosity piqued, they followed the gleam to the biggest discovery of coins in Israeli history. 2000 gold coins dating back to the Fatimid Caliphate, a literal fortune. But, rather than keep their hoard all to themselves, the group simply turned the find over the the Israel Antiquities Authority.

And they're not alone.

It's common practice in Israel to turn in discoveries when they are made. While there are in fact laws that compel citizens to do so, the fear of running afoul of the law isn't what motivates most accidental archeologist. After all, plenty of nations have similar laws and yet most people tend to hoard what they find. 

Israel has a culture of appreciating the past. A real feeling of shared responsibility to honestly and fully report discoveries to the proper authorities who can safeguard and preserve them. This is not an accidental thing, in recent years there has been a real push from the IAA to engage the public. Educational programs, community activities, and rewards like the certificate of good citizenship all inspire the Israeli people to see these finds as a chance to broaden and investigate the history of Israel, not an opportunity for personal profit.

This may explain why discoveries seem to be so much more common in recent years than they ever have been in the past. It might not be so much that people are finding more things, but that more people are honestly reporting it when they do. A truly inspiring explanation for Israel’s recent abundance of historical finds. 
[Comment]

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