Getting ready to learn

Posted on February 26, 2022February 26, 2022 by Chris

For a few weeks, I’m going to put off writing about items to purchase in Israel on the fourth Friday of the month. Not only are there a limited number of items to write about, but there is something more immediate in my life.

I’m getting ready for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference May 11-14, 2022.

We usually meet at Estes Park, Colorado YMCA. However, this year will be virtual. I know you might be saying “I want people, not computers.” And normally I would agree with you, but I’ve seen the line-up and the plans and am very excited.

First, the conference will be 100% live. No prerecorded material.

At an in-person conference, there are too many things and classes going on at the same time, so we’re bound to miss something. With CCWC’s virtual conference I’ll still miss some simultaneous presentations, but they are being recorded and I’ll have three months to watch the presentations which I can’t watch during the conference.

I have to admit, I don’t pay to attend CCWC in money. I pay in labor as a member of the staff. But if I did pay to attend CCWC, this would be at the top of the list. The cost is $199 if you register by March 15th. No travel costs. No cost for room and board.

Plus I don’t have to wonder what kind of food will be served.

I’ve included pictures of two of my favorite authors/speakers.

This is where you’ll find more information.

https://colorado.writehisanswer.com/

She will make you laugh and brighten your day.

It is exciting to look forward to his presentations. No one ever knows what the props will be.

Let’s Study

Posted on February 19, 2022February 19, 2022 by Chris

Last week in this blog, I mentioned I’m leading a Bible Study called “Write His Answer.”

I also mentioned I’m thinking about expanding that study to Zoom as well the in-person students. I do have the study formatted so a person can jump in at any point in the study

So, I’d like you to help me. Should I add Zoom members to the present study members?

Hummus

Posted on February 12, 2022February 12, 2022 by Chris

When I started this “Impressions of Israel” set of blogs on September 3, 2021, I shared my fear of embarrassment when I first arrived in Israel in 2008.

This blog is a continuation of that story.

After I got off the plane, I was comfortable and enjoyed what we were seeing and where we are going.

This particular day, we were walking through the Old City of Jerusalem to visit a community on the other side of the city. As we traveled a street in the Muslim quarter, we were told to move swiftly, do not stop to talk or look at anyone, and not to make eye contact with the vendors. This street was dangerous for tourists.

[Just a note here. The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters; the Muslim Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter. Since that trip, I have learned there is a street in each of the quarters which is considered dangerous.]

We were walking swiftly and I felt myself knocking something over. It was a small table with a bowl of hummus. I slowed down so I could help clean this up, but I was grabbed by the arm and was pulled along with the others. I was told not to worry about it because it was just a bowl of hummus.

To this day, I wonder what would have happened if I had stopped and interacted with that merchant.

This is a bowl of hummus surrounded by pita bread. The bread is dipped in the hummus while eating. Even though the second Friday of the month I like to give you a recipe, I decided not to share one this month. There are hundreds of recipes. As one person told me there are as many recipes as there are people who make hummus and even more. For example, my daughter and her husband started making hummus from a generic recipe and are adapting it to find the exact mixture of spices and ingredients that is the taste they want. The basic recipe includes chickpeas, tahini, olive oil. Any number of spices can be used for more flavor, the most common is garlic.

Changes in Appearance, but not the Message.

Posted on February 5, 2022February 5, 2022 by Chris

As I’ve faced challenges over the last few weeks, I’ve spent a lot of time seeking the answer for the challenges in prayer.

As I look through pictures of my time in Israel, I remember when I took my pictures of the pool of Bethesda.

Jesus healed a man here according to John 5:15. A man who learned Jesus could heal him rather than wait for a man to help him get into the pool when it was stirred by an angel.

It still portrays a message to hope. It reminds me God is ready to show me the answer through the work of His Son.

I try to imagine what this looked like in the time of Jesus. I’m sure it was much different than today. Standing at the railing which prevents anyone from climbing down to the pool, I was reminded once more that what this looks like is not as important as the saving message of Jesus.