Neal Checks in From Jerusalem
We had a great service tonight here at the Dan Panorama in Jerusalem tonight. Dr. Scudder gave the gospel so very clearly. And shared stories. What a great night. We had a free day today in Jerusalem. Julie and Neal went with a group who wanted to explore the Old City. We toured the excavations at the SW corner of the Temple Mount. That was neat! We ate lunch overlooking the Temple Mount on the upper level of the Quarter Cafe. We went to the Temple Institute and saw the furniture for the Second Temple. "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!" We ended up on Ben Yehuda street for a stop at our favorite little spot that has fresh pastries, pizza, coffee. I can never remember the name of the place, but I know where it is...I feel like I've died and gone to heaven when we go there. What a day...24 free hours in "The City of God"...what will it be like to spend 1000 years with the New Jerusalem in God's very presence!? I'm so thankful for His grace. We have so much to look forward to. I saw a great carving in Bethlehem yesterday that illustrates grace so beautifully: Christ holding up the man who drove the nails into His body. The man is collapsed in Jesus' arms, still holding the hammer and nail. It's fictional, of course, but yet so true. Because that man is every one of us. And He extends his unconditional love to you and me.
We're up early tomorrow for Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea. And then, the next day, Dr. Scudder arranged a farewell dinner that will beat every other farewell dinner we've ever had. There's a place that has the best food in Jerusalem. We're going there...if the weather holds. There is a slight possibility of a little snow. If we get even an inch, it's likely the city will virtually shut down till it melts. That would be a bummer, because this restaurant is across town. Let's hope the weather here stays real nice so we can eat there! It was sunny and beautiful today for our "free day." That was really nice.
I love this country. And as strangers and pilgrims, we're looking for a city whose builder and maker is God. I feel like, when I'm here, that I'm staring at shadows of what's to come. New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven. Thank you God for our bright future.
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