Thanksgiving 2009

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

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

Droid

Succceded in downloading bible on new droid.

Thoughts of a Wandering Nomad

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

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