Walking Where Jesus Walked: Remembering

Two years ago this week, I traveled with Beth Moore and 98 other ladies on a life-changing trip to the Holy Land.

We took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Rode camels on the Mount of Olives. Walked the old streets of Jerusalem. Ducked into the Bethlehem entrance where Jesus was born. Knelt in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Clutched the stones at the Wailing Wall. And communed at Calvary where Jesus shed His blood for us.

I invite you to walk with me as I remember...

The Garden of Gethsemane

 Calvary (the Place of the Skull)

 Jerusalem

 Bethlehem - Jesus' birthplace

 The empty tomb

 The Western (Wailing) Wall

 Sunset on the Mediterranean Sea

 Me with Beth

 Capernaum - Temple in Peter's hometown

 The Sea of Galilee

Riding a camel atop the Mount of Olives

Worship

As I walk down memory lane, I still remember smelling the salty air. The desert sand caught in my sandals. The heat sizzling on my skin. The wonders my eyes drank in.  

It was a journey that impacted my spiritual life at a soul-deep level.

And I'm so very thankful.

What journey has made the most spiritual impact in your life?

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Discussion Island

In the middle of Loch Leven, shadowed by the mountains of the Scottish Western Highlands, sits a tiny island steeped in rich history.

It's called Discussion Island.

Since medieval times, if there were any arguments or disputes among the people, the quarreling parties were rowed out by boat to Discussion Island. They were given cheese, whiskey, and oat cakes and left there until they sorted out their problems.

No refills provided.

And as a result, in over 1,500 years only one murder has occurred in that region.

I was fascinated as a local woman recounted the story to me on my recent visit to Scotland. Discussion Island isn't very large. In fact, only a few trees stand in the middle of it. You could walk across it in less than one minute.

Now, picture the person with whom you have quarreled recently.

At times our arguments have substantial grounds. But more often than not, don't we get our noses out of joint over the small stuff?

It tends to be the day-to-day irritants that grate on our nerves and cause pettiness. Perhaps a careless remark taken the wrong way or out of context started the whole thing. And you've decided to avoid the person or just not talk to them for a while.

And the tension in the air mounts. It begins affecting others. It becomes bigger than it needs to.

So, let me ask you...

How fast do you believe you could sort out the issue if Discussion Island awaited?

"Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26

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