MONASTIC SKETE---notes from the hermitage

Emailing:87 yr obituary.doc

2009-12-05T20:13:00.001-06:00

Tuesday

2009-12-01T08:13:00.001-06:00

Getting back in the groove after a few days off. Just some thoughts. My friend steve mcclure is having heart surgery today, prayers for him.

Tallskinnykiwi will be without a job in january. What a worthy servant and inspiration he has been to many.

It was 26 degrees this morning. Heavy frost. Cold.

Am listening to dinner jazz excursion. Added several new stations to droid favorites.

Have several really sick people to visit today.

Am doing better on droid keyboard.

Still studying the six day war.

Trying to get organized. I have thrown away lots of trash but do not seem to be making much progress.

Saints looked good against patriots.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-26T17:15:00.002-06:00

I am getting way behind the thanksgiving blog which I have done for several years. This all started with Furman Bisher, Atlanta Sports writer, tons of years ago. He is 91, just retired, and continues his thanksgiving quest. Here is my belated attempt:

I am Thankful for:

Janet, Melinda, Mike, Jack, Ronald, and our entire family, especially Janet...can not believe we have been married for 42 years.

For access to a computer. My Droid does not work out here in the country so am borrowing this one from my niece.

For Cuddles and Aiden.

For communication tools that amaze and frustrate me.

For the Droid.

For the trip we made to Israel. It was certainly meaningful and one we will never forget.

For Jack and Marilyn Austin who went with us.

For Ransom and our weekly ham chat.

For the beautiful fall season we have had.

For friends...many who touch my life, Bob, PG, GM, TW, B and S and Cleve and the ss class, bruce and c., bg, f and d, da, and all those I have forgotten ! I have been blessed with friends, even some I have gotten in touch with on facebook this year.

For walks in the rain

For football season to begin and when baseball is over---use to be the other way around but do not think baseball should be allowed in November.

For politicians who keep their mouths shut -- impossible you say.

For people who put up with me.

For the Bible and its source of guidance for me.

For Thursdays because the garbage is taken out on Wednesday.

For ham radio.

For Broadcast band dx buddies.

For ultralite radios.

For satellite tv and the history channel.

That I do not have to get up at 6 am on black Friday.

For a job.

Thanks for all the blessings I have received through the years. Counting the blessings is so meaningful especially going down the upper side of life.

For where I grew up, where I have been, and parents who guided and loved us.

Bless and Keep Us Lord....We THANK THEE FOR THE BLESSING OF LIFE>

ARTZI

2009-11-25T21:43:00.001-06:00

Here I am with the Smokey bear of Israel
His name is artzi.

Droid

2009-11-22T15:55:00.001-06:00

Succceded in downloading bible on new droid.

Thoughts of a Wandering Nomad

2009-11-10T08:36:00.001-06:00

Thoughts of a Wandering Nomad

I can’t get over this book, especially the Old Testament. Something about being in Israel gives one a new vision of the meaning of the land, the land filled with milk and honey. Each piece, no matter how barren, meant something to someone. Perhaps someone died there.

Of particular interest has been the exilt poems or the book of Lamentations. What barrenness. I can visualize it now, looking from the Mount of Olives, and hearing the words of Jeremiah; “How deserted lies the city, once so full of people. Bitterly she weeps at night, there is none to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her. She finds no resting place,” and then the ringer---“The Road to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gateways are desoltate.”

So it’s like a party when no one came. The hill is silent. No feast. The winds throw scrapes of leaves thoughtlessly through the air. I can’t get away from that image of loneliness.

In spite of the beauty of the Sea of Galilee and the significant stories of Jesus and his miracles, it is the desert regions that ring in my mind, the fence along the Jordan landscape, the distant sea from Masada, the palaces of Herod, the heat in October, the history of thousands of years – something not evident in our country.

And the Menorah. Seeing the one opposite the Knesset was meaningful, as well as the one in Jerusalem. It has been said that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel and our mission to be "a light unto the nations." (Isaiah 42:6). The sages emphasize that light is not a violent force; Israel is to accomplish its mission by setting an example, not by using force. Jesus said it this way, “I am the light of the world.” So the Menorah has become a symbol to me of an important element in the Jewish faith. Whenever I see one from now on, I will be reminded of its importance as a symbol of light.

Some of the journey is shifting through my unconsciousness again. It took us 26 hours from leaving our hotel in Jerusalem until we walked into our house in Franklin, TN. A long journey. Worn out? Really!!!! So, I am just now remembering and settling down. So much we saw, so much to understand!

Thanks Tikva. Not a bad show!!

Tuesday reflections!

ISRAEL

2009-11-04T11:38:00.002-06:00

How was your trip? That is the number one question people ask me. I still do not have an answer that makes sense.

For those who don’t know, Janet and I went to Israel from Oct. 17-26. We had wanted to go all of our lives so we had looked forward to this for a good while. We went with Jack and Marilyn Austin. Jack’s wife, Bonnie, used to work here and passed away 3 years ago.

A summary would be easy. How was your trip? Well, one place we went, Casearea Philiippi received a rocket attack after we left. On Sunday morning, we stood by the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), waiting to enter the Temple Mount. They would not let us enter because, above us, a riot was taking place with Moslems throwing rocks at Israeli Policeman. A “disturbance” was what they called it. For the rest of the day we stayed at the hotel rather than find ourselves in a situation we could not feel safe in.

Also, while we were in Bethlehem, we were assigned a Palestinian guide since people from Israel are not allowed to cross the border. Unfortunately, as we waited in line for 2 plus hours to see where the baby Jesus was born our guide got arrested by the police and carried off. It was uncomfortable being in a foreign country, guideless, and wondering, “what will be do next?” Finally the guide was allowed to return and get us safely back to Jerusalem. Also Military Jets flying over us was a little unnerving at times. You are about to go to sleep and here comes another one.

So, how was your trip? We learned a lot. We went swimming in the dead sea, walked all over Qumran and Masada. Had a special communion service at the tomb of Jesus.

The topography of the country was the biggest surprise. In areas so many hills. Or lengthy stretches of desert. Our feet were worn out. Our legs ached. The amount of animosity between Jews, Moslems, and Christians, was evident as the history of the nation was explained to us.

We had a delightful group to travel with. An archeologist led us and one of the couples we were with got engaged the last night we were there. That was exciting.

So how was your trip? Enlightening, at times frightening, tiring, a new understanding of this middle eastern area, a new appreciation of the Bible, and yes, the priest got mad at me and pulled me out of the shrine to the Baby Jesus, but that is another story.

Bro. Dan

A few thoughts on getting home

2009-10-26T19:29:00.001-05:00

Home from Israel

We made it home. It took 26 hours to make it home. A long journey. Amazing how many times we had to go through checkpoints. In Israel we did not take our shoes off but in the states we did. Wonder why the difference?

Going to rest some, then add some more notes about the journey.

Tel aviv

2009-10-25T15:13:00.001-05:00

Got all checked. Leave in 2 hours going home. Eating at mcdonalds.

Riots in Jerusaleum

2009-10-25T06:52:00.001-05:00

We could not get to the Temple Mount this morning. It is Sundam Being closed seemed strange and solders we near us. Later a cab driver doubled price of the cab because of the disturbance. WE ARE OK BUT HERE IS THE REAL STORY!!

http://ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3794752,00.html

A miracle

2009-10-25T02:53:00.001-05:00

Lost phone. BLAIMED CAB DRIVER. Found amazing.

Evening

2009-10-24T10:47:00.000-05:00

The communion service was very special.

tomb

2009-10-24T09:30:00.001-05:00

At garden tomb. He is not here!

Saturday

2009-10-24T07:27:00.001-05:00

Visited Holy Sepucler. Crowd, crowds, lot of pushing. Went along Via Delarosa stations of the cross. Can't write more. Exhausted!

Prayers st Western Wall

2009-10-23T07:24:00.003-05:00

Pray at Western Wall

2009-10-23T07:24:00.001-05:00

Arrival in Jerusalem

2009-10-22T13:51:00.001-05:00

Jeruslem

We arrived and went to Mt.of Olives, walked Palm Sunday trip, then to Gethsemane.

We will be in Jerusalem for 3 nights and will not have to move again.

Ready for bath and bed. My feet hurt!

Garden of Gethemeni

2009-10-22T09:29:00.000-05:00

Qumran

2009-10-22T06:38:00.001-05:00

Qumran

Finding the dead sea scrolls after 2000 years is a miracle to me.

Lots of flies.

10 purification pools used twice a day for purity.

Scriptorum in good shape.

One of caves is in the picture I made.

Hot.

Community destroyed 68 ce.

Essence community? Community rule much like benedictianes. Saw refectory, ate pita chicken sandwich and friend fries.

Books cost to much to buy.

Bus late. Can't find it.

2009-10-22T03:54:00.001-05:00

Masada

We have spent the morning at the place where 1000 zealots committed suicide rather than be slaves of the Romans.

Also one of Herod's palaces is here.

I prayed in the remains of a 5th century Benedictine monastery of desert fathers.This is picture of it.

We are on our way to Qumran.

Israeli Air Force

2009-10-21T13:57:00.001-05:00

Israeli Jets

Every few minutes airforce jets pass over our hotel. A heavy reminder of the seriousness of this placem

Tip for Dead Sea swimmers: don't go swiming if you have cuts on yourself or hemmroids it will be painful.

One does not type well ehen tired.

You cannot find an indoor pool in a hotel if you can't read hebrew.

This is the lowest place on earth.

Reflection requires solitude.

Great art happens when people have the leisure to paint.

Why Saul would hunt David in these surroundings he would have to have been crazy.

Sleep comes early to the tired in spirit.

Say your nightime prayers.

Mount Moriah

2009-10-21T08:36:00.000-05:00

Mount Moriah CLASSIC

We are in the desert near where Sodom and Gommorah were. We are waiting to go swimming in the dead sea. We at least have a few hours to rest. We need it.

This morning we waded in the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized. We ate lunch at En-gedi where David hide from Saul.

We have been through barren territory most of the day. Jordanian security fences on one side, barren rocky mountains on the other.

For now, I am going swimming. Maybe reflections tonight. Anyone reading this?

Reflections After Supper

2009-10-20T13:20:00.001-05:00

Supper Tiberius

It is tiring with much travel. We have just got back to the room after a big buffet supper. Am refreshed somewhat.

As a reflection on the day most of new understanding related to the Sea of Galilee. The boat trip across it was inspirational. Everyone was in a festive mood. The sea is tranquil and beautiful, adding to the religious flavor. The reading of the scripture psssage is always the highlight. A sense of God's presence always seems to be there.

The trip to Caesara Phillipi was confusing, mainly because of motion sickness through the curvy mountains. I can see how Jesus could have been there when he talked about Peter being a rock and also how the transfiguration could have happened there.

Capernaum was neat, and I was surprised how much of Jesus ministry was within 2 miles of that one place; the feeding of 5000, numerous healings, and the beautitudes.

In twilight we returned. It will take precious time to really reflect.

We had one bad moment, an arab teenager sat in the priest chair in a holy place and made fun of the scene. "A real jackass," said someone. It was disturbing.

Sea of Galilee

2009-10-20T10:10:00.001-05:00

Sea of Galilee

We ride across across the sea of Galilee. We play the Star Spangled Banner, Amazing Grace, and dance. We see the 2000 year old Jesus boat.

We get motion sickness riding around the curves to Caesarea Phillipi, maybe the sight of the transfiguration. Then to Capernaum where the feeding of 5000 occured, the healing of Peter's mother-in-law, and rhe place where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. Then lots of souvenirs.

Dizzing describes the day. We watch sunset over the Sea of Galilee. It gets dark at 5:15 pm.

We ate lunch where the recent menorrah was discovered. Almost time for supper. Yeah!

Tiberias

2009-10-20T00:39:00.001-05:00

Tiberias Tuesday

Good nights sleep. Weird covers. Feet stick out the end and feet freeze. Must be lots of short people here.

We can see the Sea of Galilee from our hotel. Spectacular.

From yesterday: Caesarea was meaningful because of Peter coming to see Cornelius. He was the first Gentile convert. Also seeinf how different civilzations built on top of one another.

Mt. Carmel, Megiddo-a place where 25 different nations had ruled. The Vallyey of Jezreel. What depth. The place of Armaggedon.

Beautiful day. Ready to go.