The Stuff of Which We are Made
When you visit Northern NH, you see the beautiful scenery, the quaint, main streets of our towns, the shops that bring on an air of nostalgia (built in the 1800’s and earlier), wildlife like moose, deer and wild turkeys.

Many of our visitors have purchased second homes, in order to live and become a part of this beauty, called the “North Country”.  Those that cannot purchase, come back every year to their favorite rental location, B&B’s, Hotels, Motels, Cabins, Campgrounds and Vacation Rentals.

This past week I was thinking that I will interview these faithful visitors, part-time residents, lover’s of rural New Hampshire and ask them about their perceptions of the full-time residents, the life-long, born at home (some not), “locals” that are the backbone of Northern New Hampshire. I’ll ask them “What do you think of our lifestyle? Our shops? What it means to be a hunter”? Do you like the quaintness? Would you miss the shopping malls if you lived here full-time? Do you love our covered bridges and visualize the horse and buggies that used to cross over? How about the wonderful old churches with their exquisite, architectural designs and gingerbread trims. I’ll write a blog post about this in the next few weeks.

I’m curious to see if they/you (our visitors), have a clear perception of what it takes to be a full-time resident, a local, of the North Country.

New Hampshirites, by nature, are tough, strong, maybe a bit stubborn, community and family oriented but above all, survivors!

We know how to camp, hike, ski, snowmobile, split wood, live without power when a big nor’easter hits. How to cook on a wood stove, how to collect water when the pump doesn’t work, how to travel on snowshoes when it isn’t a good idea to drive or it’s just too damn deep!

I’m wondering if the visitors and part-time residents realize that many North Country folk, if ever they wrote a resume, would have so many talents under their belts.

I move now to this down economy, we’ve been here before, in the North Country, we survive because we’re adaptable. I can’t talk about the southern part of New Hampshire but I can talk about Northern NH, we adjust to the situation. If you use me as an example, I’ve got a cleaning business, an online directory for Northern NH, a community social network for NH (The Granite Matrix), a blog for the North Country, I’m a Social Media Consultant, I’ve shampooed carpets, stained decks, power washed homes, fixed skylights, garden to sell vegetables (I do keep many for myself), have taken care of the elderly and quadriplegic, wash windows, I’m an Astrologer, Reiki/Energy Healer, etc…You get the picture. If I was a man, I’d be doing plumbing, electrical, stone work, carpentry, plowing, mowing, etc. (this is not dictated by sex, men and women do many of these things).

This is what makes NH North Country people a different breed of people, strong, capable, responsible. We always come through the tough times, maybe a bit weary and wiser but oh, so much stronger.

A year ago, I couldn’t afford to heat with oil. I decided to disconnect my oil furnace, get a wood stove, an electric water heater and make do with that.

True to the people of the North Country, friends told friends, I was given a used water heater in perfect condition, a used wood stove that nobody was using, I now have heat, hot water without worrying if I can afford it. I’ve actually come to enjoy stacking and moving the wood (many times), loading the stove with coffee in hand. Yeah, I do feel all fuzzy and warm when doing this. I’ve come to appreciate what it takes to live a different lifestyle, a more down to earth, lifestyle where I’m conscious of what it takes to heat my home, etc. Canning vegetables, baking bread, raising chickens; for some it’s all part of the North Country lifestyle.

Why am I telling you part of my personal story? It’s about transparency as a blogger, it’s about the community spirit of the people that live in Northern NH.  We’ve all helped many others, it feels good, the good goes around, we share, we’re good neighbors, the love is there.  We’re strong, in body, heart, and mind.

I moved here from New Jersey, in 1989. There was one traffic light, at that time, between Woodsville and Littleton, now, I’m not sure how many lights we have, I try not to think about it. We’ve changed a bit, to accommodate the changes in the world, to become more global. I hope we stay here, where we are now. I realize growth is good but I also don’t want to lose the charm that is North of the Notch (Franconia Notch State Park), Northern NH, otherwise we become just like the rest of the urban areas where all our history, talents, beauty and strength will just become a distant memory.  Would you want to visit us then? Or move here? Can you, become a part of us? Do you have the stuff of which we are made?

What do you think? What is your take on the North Country of Northern New Hampshire?

My next post will be a Business Spotlight on Karma Balm. NH made, organic products to heal and satisfy your body and spirit!
I realize that many of our visitors love the products and services that we have here in Northern NH. I’d like to open you up to some great businesses that can benefit you while you visit, ergo, the Business Spotlights.

Posting soon, Robin

With the end of Thanksgiving comes the beginning of the Christmas season (unless you are CVS, in which case you start stocking holiday merchandise the day after Halloween).  One of the most time-honored traditions this time of year is sending and receiving holiday cards.  With everyone from Aunt Rita to the hair salon down the street sending out season’s greetings,  it can be hard to make your cards stand out.  Luckily, one Connecticut town offers a unique and free way to make any holiday card stand out.

Located in the picturesque Litchfield Hills, Bethlehem has come to be known as “The Christmas Town.”  Each year thousands of people send their Christmas cards through the local post-office, having the stamps cancelled with a Bethlehem postmark.  The postmaster releases a new “Christmas Cachet” each year so envelopes sent from the town can also be festively decorated.  The tradition has been in place since 1938, and there are now over 80 designs to choose from.  The stamps are set up for the public to use, free of charge, in the lobby of the Post Office through out December.

Traveling to Bethlehem to send holiday cards is a fun trip that will take you on a scenic drive through the beautiful Northwestern part of the state.  The area is full of quaint cafes and antique shops, as well as loads of priceless scenery. Visitors can dine at the delectable Woodward House, located in Bethlehem’s historic town center.  Also, each year the town hosts a Christmas Town Festival, with fun offerings for the whole family.  A trip to Bethlehem is a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

The Christmas Town Festival will be held this year on Dec. 4&5, with the tree lighting on Friday, December 4th at 6p.m.

The Post Office is located on 34 East Street, Bethlehem, CT, 06751.  It is open 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday, with additional weekend hours in December.  Please contact the Post Office at (203) 266-7910 for more details.

For those who cannot make it up to Bethlehem, you can send your stamped cards to the Postmaster and she will see to it that your cards are sent out complete with a Christmas cachet. Cards can be sent in a larger envelope addressed: Postmaster; Bethlehem, CT 06571.

John Piper’s sermon this week was outstanding. Here’s a brief excerpt:

Kinda blows that concept of Christianity as bland, boring, self-denial for the sake of masochistic self-righteousness right out of the water doesn’t it?

Hungry? Listen, watch, or read more.

Here is the final product, screen printed images on paper installed in a tunnel under a bridge in Bethlehem pa.

Right now my 8th graders are working on model volcanoes and earthquakes so I thought I would take this time to update my blog again.  I realized that in order to update this regularly I needed to take any time I could!  So here we go! : )

Lot’s goes on in the day-to-day life of a teacher but it’s hard sometimes to put it into words or to see how it all fits into the “grand scheme” of being in Bethlehem.

Today is our last day of school before Thanksgiving break and the Eid Al Adha.  I think the teachers are more excited than the students about this 5-day weekend!  I’m finally going to get to see the tourist sites in Jerusalem – the garden tomb, the ramparts of the old city, and enshallah the Dome of the Rock!

This is what I see everymorning from my bedroom window!

Every day I get up at 6 am and watch the sunrise.  I don’t get up just for the sunrise, but it is beautiful and worth watching.  From there I check my facebook (which usually has no activity) and my email (which has even less activity).  Then I get dressed for school and start collecting my books and papers or finish any last minute planning I may have for the day.  I’m downstairs by 7 each morning.  I organize my classroom – straighten the desks, get my books in order, pick up any trash – before going outside to greet the students and other teachers as they come in for the day.  Some students get hugs, some get high-5s.  Some I talk to in my broken Arabic.  Most get English!  The bell rings at 8 and the day officially begins.

My first period class is probably my favorite to teach.  Not necessarily because I love them more but because the combination of subject matter, time of day, and personalities of students creates a fun environment to teach in.  This is the 8th grade class that is with me right now.  They seems to enjoy learning more than any other class I teach and they seem to enjoy me more regularly than any other class I teach.

They also include some of my closest students and some who make me laugh a lot.  There’s Lucy (because she treats her little brother like Lucy treats Charlie Brown) who was the first “student-friend” I had here.  She is a sweetheart and I enjoy talking to her.  Sometimes she’s dark in her humor but that just adds to her charm and character.  She thinks differently than most of my other students (and most of the people I know) – deeper, more complex – and this gives her an air of maturity that other kids her age just do not possess.  Plus she’s super cute!  Then there’s Zac (because he’s the Zac Efron of the 8th grade class).  He makes me laugh a lot because he’s so completely random and carefree.  And that’s just two of them!  I have one student in the 8th grade who has a baby face and he’s fun to smack (a very Arab thing).  And the girl whom I think is the smartest person I have ever met (and one of the hardest workers too) is in this class.  She and I have had a few deep conversations about life and education and things like that.

My second period is my only prep period but instead of using that time for school stuff, I attend the 9th grade Bible class.  This is fun because I’m seen differently in this class as I am in the classes I teach.  They also like to comment on their science during Bible just for my benefit!

Third period is my 10th grade class.  What I like about this class is they are older so I can trust them with more responsibility.  So they get to eat in class and sit wherever they want and things like that.  This is, unfortunately, my least favorite subject to teach.  : /  But this class also has some great students whom I enjoy hanging out with.  This is considered the basketball class since half of the class is on the basketball team (both boys and girls).  One student in particular did not like me at first, but we have since become “friends.”  She still isn’t ready to admit that but I do and I tell her that as often as possible.  She and I talk online most every night for a few hours (or more).  She is an amazing girl who has a bright and beautiful future ahead of her.  God has something extra special planned for this one because she is trying so hard to derail Him and failing in most cases.

After that we have break (kind of like lunch without a cafeteria).  We sell snacks in a canteen and play basketball or soccer in the courtyard.

Fourth period is my first of two classes with 6th grade.  They are a … lively bunch of students but mostly good kids.  There are a few of them that really make me laugh and there are a few who really make me yell.  This class does not enjoy learning and are already trying hard to get out of everything they can.  They are also the class with the most amount of “Miss, somebody did this to me” whining.  It’s annoying!  I’ve been taking their desks away when they get in trouble (that’s their first warning) and if they get kicked out of class they miss their break.  I have also scolded them often enough for their whining that now all I have to say is, “Are you whining?” and they stop and say, “No Miss!”

Then I have afternoon break with the elementary school.  More snacks and much more playing and running!

Fifth period is … *sigh* 9th grade.  These are the laziest kids I have EVER worked with!  Instead of studying and using their time wisely, they scheme and manipulate to get out of things.  Today they have a BIG test over the entire periodic table of elements.  Most of this class is already failing and this test will just put the final nail in their coffins.  7aram!  Well actually, I don’t feel that sorry for them because I’ve done everything I can to help them learn it, but they refuse!  I can’t MAKE them do it … all I can do is give them the opportunity.

There are a few students in this class that aren’t like this.  Baby Sister is my adopted sister (her and her two older sisters … and their parents are my adopted parents).  She is a leader in the classroom and a caring friend to her classmates.  Baby Sister acts very different at home and school … which is fun for me.  I also (since I’m the oldest sister) get to ground her and give other punishments if I feel they are fit.  Right now she’s grounded from facebook and MSN/email for three weeks (I even changed her passwords)!  Then there’s Roxanne (because she looks like the character from A Goofy Movie).  She is a sweet girl of about 5 feet 2 inches who is a great ball of obsession.  She obsesses over boys and movies and music and … school (but it’s different).  She’s a great student but her voice is almost always a perpetual whine.  She gets mad easily and quickly at me but we can usually work it out in a day or less.  But she’s a dear sweet girl who makes me giggle!

Sixth period (always makes me think of the song from the Evens Stevens Musical Episode) is my second class with 6th grade.  They are … worse in this class than in the previous one with them.  They enjoy the subject though and bombard me with answers to questions I haven’t even asked yet.

In all my classes I have a system.  The students earn brownie points when they impress me (they are kind of like the points on Who’s Line Is It Anyway … they are arbitrary and almost pointless).  These points can be earned by treating each other with kindness, helping someone, getting good grades, standing up for “the underdog,” good behavior – really anything can earn you points.  But points can be lost by the opposite of all those things.  Once a class gets to 1000 points they have a party.  So far my 8th and 10th graders have had a party and are well on their ways to party #2.

After school I have tutoring, drama, basketball, or small group depending on the day of the week.  These last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours.  All (except tutoring – which I call Teacher Detention) bring joy to my heart and ache to my head.  But I love them!

After this my day involves individual time with students (usually on MSN), time with my adopted family, and time working on the next day or grading that days work.  All in all about 75% of my time is spent doing something school related.  And I wouldn’t change it for all the riches in the world!

You may wonder: How is God moving here?  My answer would be, “How is He not?!”

God moves and stirs in these kids hearts every day.  I have students who have gone from troublemaker to sweetheart.  In some classes the kids who were failing are now succeeding.  And in others I have found new ways to interact with the tough kids to get them out of their shell.

One student loves Jesus but is in a very powerful Muslim family but he can’t help himself from participating in Bible class and talking about Jesus!

One kid can’t stop smiling because Jesus lives inside him (he, too, is from a Muslim family) and it is Jesus’ sweetness that permeates from him.

One girl can’t stop asking questions about God and the Bible.  She’s extremely curious saying that she wants to make sure she believes the right thing – the Truth.

One girl (whom I don’t teach) came up to me just yesterday to tell me that she wants to talk to me.  When we briefly spoke she told me how she feels about herself and then said, “No one knows this Miss Laura but I knew you would care.”  I just hugged her and told her we needed to get together soon to talk more.

I could continue telling stories of students like these who may not recognize God moving in their lives but know that something is changing.  It’s AWESOME to see!

Well I think that’s about it for today!

Prayer Requests – 1. That my students desire to learn! 2. SLEEP 3. More creativity in the classroom to pick up the students who are falling behind 4. Even more love! 5. More supporters both praying for me and financially sustaining me.

David, the King

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. – “Shepherd Psalm,” BIBLE, recorded by David (Psa 23).

(David, born, Bethlehem – died Jerusalem, a.k.a. “City of David,” fleshly ancestor of Jesus Christ)

King of Israel (1056 – 1015 BC -Ussher)

From the time he lived, till today, the world is curious and amazed at this man called ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ The authenticity of His claim to be the Saviour, the Messiah or God himself is being challenged and has become a subject of debate for centuries. In fact it was for this very reason (his identity) that the religious teachers put him to death. I wonder as to why they refused to accept him as the ‘Messiah’ despite having full knowledge of the ‘Messianic Prophesies’ (prophesies concerning Christ) and the scriptures being fulfilled through different events in Jesus’ life, and even after he had done all those miraculous signs in their presence.

Ironically their rejection and opposition had greatly affected the common men’s faith. Except for those faithful few, majority of them were confused lots. Many times people were divided on the issue of Jesus’ legitimacy. While some accepted him as the ‘Messiah’ who was to come, others considered him a ‘deceiver’. Maybe it was the Father’s will that everything would remain a mystery until after his (Jesus) death so that His divine plan for providing forgiveness would be fulfilled. I wonder how we would have reacted if we were there! Anyhow, the disbelief and controversy still exists.

Today, while millions profess Jesus, skeptics are also at work and many good Christians are held victim by their atheistic propaganda. For instance, movies have been made and books written in recent times challenging the legitimacy of Jesus wherein antagonists have tried to twist history by distorting the facts leading to confusion even among some sections of believers as well.

Then, who really is Jesus?

For 2000 years or so, much of the world has seen Jesus as the founder of one of the world’s major religions. Many have also seen and regarded him as a great teacher and a good moral example. But he was more than a ‘man.’

According to the Bible – JESUS is the Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became truly man without ceasing to be truly God having been supernaturally conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. And though a living person, he was sinless and perfect, and after having lived a life of unparalleled wisdom and character, he died an awful dead to pay the price for the sins of mankind. But on the third day he rose from dead and now he is in heaven with his Father. He will return again at God’s own appointed time with great power and glory to judge the world; to reward the righteousness and punish the wicked.

Jesus about himself – During one of the debates with the religious leaders Jesus said, “I say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:28). According to the scripture, that was the name God gave Himself when He commanded Moses that He was the self-existent One: “I AM who I AM… Say to the people of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14). As such, the name of God in Hebrew is YHWH or I AM.

He also described himself as: “The Son of God” (John 5:25); “The Son of Man” (John 8:28); “The Bread of Life” (John 6:35); “The Light of the World” (John 8:2); “The Good Shepherd” (John 10:14); “The Gate for the Sheep” (John 10:7); “The True Vine” (John 15:1); “The Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:35); “The Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13); “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6).
When the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the living God?” He replied, “Yes.”

What others say – On the night he was born, the angel said to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11). When John baptized him in Jordan, a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” John the Baptist called him “The Son of God”; “The Lamb of God.” Nathanael, whom Jesus called a true Israelite, called him “The Son of God; the King of Israel.” The bible also says that the evil spirits knew who Jesus was. Whenever they saw Jesus, they were terrified and would say “Holy One of God”; “You are the Son of God”; “The Son of the Most High God.” Simon Peter, his beloved disciple, called him “The Christ, the Son of the living God.”

The Centurion (who was in front of Jesus when he died) said after seeing all that had happened, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Thomas Schultz wrote: “Christ is the only religious leader who has ever claimed to be the deity, and the only individual ever who has convinced a great portion of the world that He is God.”

According to hundreds of eyewitnesses, Jesus did die and three days later He left the tomb alive. The biblical record tells that more than 500 people saw Jesus alive after his death.

Secular historians also acknowledged that Jesus was a real living person who gained renown in first century Israel as a healer and a teacher, and that he died at the hands of the religious teachers. W.H. Thomas wrote: “There never has been a more real or genuine man than Jesus of Nazareth.”

Even some of his great antagonists have also accepted his divinity. For instance, Goethe wrote: “If ever the Divine appeared on earth, it was in the Person of Christ.” Even Rousseau admitted: “Yes, the life and death of Socrates are those of a philosopher; the life and death of Jesus Christ are those of a God.” Interestingly in the Koran, the book of Islam, Yeshua (Jesus) is referred to as “the greatest above all in this world and in the world to come.”

What Do You Say? Most probably you have heard all these and much more. Maybe you have even read books and books and have done research on Jesus’ life and He being a deity. Not only the believers but the unbelievers as well have testified and accepted that Jesus is the Son of God; that He is the Christ. However it is not what the world says or what you know. What matters is “Who is this Jesus of Nazareth to you? Do you believe that he is the Son of God and that he died for you?

Be it in the first century AD or today, one of the main reasons for reluctance to accept Jesus as the “Christ” or “God Himself” is lack of faith (belief). That is the reason why whenever he taught, Jesus would say “Believe me.” Yes, it is faith that makes all the difference. Where do you stand?

And as for the believers, there are moments even when the most faithful falters too. Like Peter, for different reasons though, we often deny Him when we want to have our ways and that is when we fail as true Christians. The truth is this: No matter how much a person knows or talks about Jesus, unless he acknowledges Him as his Lord and Personal Savior, and is willing to keep and obey His commands, he does not really know HIM!

Well, if you have not invited Jesus into your life yet or not being really faithful all these time, let this Christmas be an opportune time to know HIM better!

1,5 Millionen Menschen besuchen, laut Angabe eines Diensthabenden Priesters, jährlich die Geburtskirche in Bethlehem. Sehr bescheiden nimmt sich dagegen das Interesse an dem liebevoll erhaltenen Wohnhaus in der Altstadt aus, das von der Arab Women’s Union verwaltet wird. „2008 hatten wir 567 Besucherinnen und Besucher hier.“, erzählt mir die Dame an der Kasse nach einem kurzen Blick in das Kassabuch. Im angegliederten Verkaufsraum werden Stickereien feilgeboten. Das traditionelle Hochzeitsgewand, einer der schönsten Ausstellungsgegenstände im

Museum, stellt niemand mehr her. „Zu teuer, zu aufwändig, zu wenig Interesse“, bemerkt die Dame recht nüchtern. Die Antwort auf die Frage, was passiert wenn das alte Wissen einmal verloren ist, bleibt sie schuldig.

OK, here’s the thing people who don’t tip because the service was crap, you may end up handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car. Well, shoot me down with a feather, Pennsylvania couple Pope and John Wagner, who were eating with friends at the Lehigh Pub in Bethlehem were so pissed with the poor service they decided not to pay the mandatory 18 percent gratuity charge. Next thing they know the bartender had rung the police and they were being hauled to the police station in cuffs and charged with theft. Hmm, now think about this real hard Lehigh Pub, was the $16 tip worth all this bad publicity?

Psst Note how I refrained from any Pope or Bethlehem jokes!

This is crazy.

A couple was arrested for not paying a mandatory 18 percent gratuity at a Pub in Bethlehem, Pa., reported David Chang for NBC Philadelphia. Since when were tips mandatory? Our restaurants have a no-tip policy, because we don’t think you should have to pay extra for good service – it should come regardless.

Anyway, the couple is scheduled to appear in court next month. We wish them luck!

Bonnie and Clyde

I am thinking about taking my family to this event in December…maybe. It’s about a 3.5 hour drive, but it sure sounds cool. Here’s driving directions to Burnet, Texas

Main Street Bethlehem

Well, here it is. I burned the image and did about 10 prints. I will be installing them in a cool little walkway under the Hill to Hill bridge in Bethlehem PA.

Whoooooooo hooooooooooo!!!!!!

we are nearing the end of our first journey in the world of glass art instructional videos, it will of course be available on dvd, and we are looking into forms of direct download digital delivery methods as well, we have worked hard on this and are very excited about its launch. as you can see my living room has been converted into a small studio, my wife has been out of town on business and I am hoping to get the place looking normal again before her return.-)

Gnihihi- für alle Befürworter des momentanen Urheberrechts:

Die Metalband Bethlehem muss ihren eigenen Song “Schuld unsres knoechrigen Faltpferds” von ihrer Myspace- Seite nehmen, weil sie gegen Urheberrechte verstoßen haben. Ansonsten wäre im Extremfall sogar die Sperrung der eigenen Bandpage riskiert worden. Absurd? Na aber! Lustig? Nur bedingt.

Die Band selbst scheint das auch nicht wahnsinnig toll zu finden, wie man ihrem auf Metalcon.de zitierten Statement entnehmen kann.

Tja, es ist einmal mehr offensichtlich, dass bezüglich Urheberrecht nicht alles perfekt ist, wie es ist. Solche Fälle sollten allen klar machen, dass eine Novellierung des Urheberrechts dem Künstler nicht schaden soll, sondern nützen.

Wie das dann aussehen soll, darüber muss man weiter diskutieren. Dass es nötig ist, steht außer Frage.

Jesus of Nazareth – Christ of God

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: –  “Sermon on the Mount,” BIBLE, recorded by Matthew (Mat 7.7).

Jesus, born, Bethlehem – killed, yet rose from grave, Jerusalem –  lives forevermore!

Christ, eternal Son of God, coequal with The Father and The Spirit – Coming Again! 

Greetings from Jerusalem. To catch you up, dear reader:

…The Holy Land first welcomed us with lush greenery and bucolic countryside—the Galilee of the Lord’s youth. Traveling south, we came to harder country. Then we entered one of the tensest cities in the world.

One could ask: Where on earth is there a place so beautiful and peaceful that it would be a suitable location for the Son of God to teach and to heal? The shores of the Sea of Galilee are certainly beautiful and peaceful enough.

But one also must ask: What city on earth is such a jumble of antagonisms, long-standing grudges, and self-righteousness that it could kill the Son of God? Jerusalem is such a city.

…Yesterday we left Nazareth. We headed south. We renewed our Baptismal promises on the bank of the Jordan River.

Stepping into the Jordan River

We came to the place where the ancient Israelites entered the Promised Land after their journey back from Egypt. This is where the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant into the Jordan, the water piled up like a mound, and the people walked across the river bed with dry feet.

They headed for Jericho, and so did we.

In hardscrabble Jericho

The Lord Jesus passed through Jericho a number of times, when He Himself was on pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

His most famous parable is about the road between Jericho and Jerusalem. We ascended to the Holy City on this pilgrim road (now paved)…

…This morning we visited the Upper Room, where: 1) The Lord Jesus instituted the Holy Mass, 2) He appeared after He rose from the dead, 3) the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in tongues of flame.

Trying on the kafiyeh

Then we left Jerusalem and went out to the Judean hill country, to visit the church built where Zechariah and Elizabeth lived. This is where our Lady came to help her cousin—the Visitation.

From there, we entered Bethlehem. After eating delicious falafel sandwiches, we entered Manger Square, the sight of so much Christian piety over the centuries.

In the hill country of Judah

We recalled the words of Popes who have come on pilgrimage here:

Pope John Paul II was here in 2000:

In Bethlehem it is always Christmas. ‘Here Christ was born of the Virgin Mary’: these words, inscribed over the place where Jesus was born, are the reason for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. They are the reason for my coming to Bethlehem today. They are the source of the joy, the hope, the goodwill, which, for two millennia, have filled countless human hearts at the very sound of the name “Bethlehem.”

People everywhere turn to this unique corner of the earth with a hope that transcends all conflicts and difficulties.

Bethlehem – where the choir of Angels sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men” (Lk 2:14) – stands out, in every place and in every age, as the promise of God’s gift of peace. Bethlehem is a universal crossroads where all peoples can meet to build together a world worthy of our human dignity and destiny.

Pope Benedict was here in May:

“Do not be afraid; for behold I proclaim to you good news of great joy…today in the city of David a Savior is born for you” (Lk 2:10-11). The message of Christ’s coming, brought from heaven by the voice of angels, continues to echo in this town, just as it echoes in families, homes and communities throughout the world. It is “good news”, the angels say “for all the people”. It proclaims that the Messiah, the Son of God and the Son of David, has been born “for you”: for you and me, and for men and women in every time and place.

In God’s plan, Bethlehem, “least among the clans of Judah” (Mic 5:2), has become a place of undying glory: the place where, in the fullness of time, God chose to become man, to end the long reign of sin and death, and to bring new and abundant life to a world which had grown old, weary and oppressed by hopelessness.

Looking up at the Basilica, we could see that “the great church built over the Savior’s birthplace stands like a fortress battered by the strife of the ages,” as John Paul put it.

The main basilica, under the care of the Greek Orthodox, is in rough shape. Our visit to the grotto of the Nativity was very moving. Then we went to the cave of St. Jerome to celebrate Holy Mass.

From there we descended to the Shepherd’s Field, where the angels announced the birth of Christ to the humble men watching over their flocks by night.

Barluzzi church on Shepherds' Field

We had lunch at a new kibutz after our trip to the wailing wall: the Mamat Rachel Kibutz. Good food, as always. Lots of humus, as always. Having not eaten until like 2:30PM the day before, Jace and I both snarfed a ZonePerfect meal bar at like 11AM, and then we ended up eating at like 12:15. How funny! But we were certainly glad not to have waited until so late in the afternoon to get chow.

After lunch, we visited a nature preserve for the olive tree – clearly one of Israel’s natural staples. I don’t know how many times I heard the “olive oil is great for you” speech from our tour guide.

The preserve had at its center a monument built to the olive tree. As monuments go, it’s definitely one of the coolest I’ve ever seen. The whole preserve was a testament to the number 3, being a very significant number in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Basically, they built three giant concrete pillars, at the center of convergence of three paths radiating outward into the preserve, where three different kinds of olive trees were planted. Then, on top of the three pillars, there were also three large olive trees. It was funky cool, and the picture above is really better than a bunch of words describing it.

After we got a chance to check out the monument, we walked over to the west side of the preserve. We sat down in a little mini theater, and looked out over the hill. Our tour guide pointed out that we were looking at Bethlehem, which is now Palestinian-controlled territory, so we weren’t permitted to go there. Later that night, a small group did take a taxi and go to Bethlehem. But I certainly didn’t; nor would I have recommended that they did.

From our perch up on the hill, you could clearly see a fence being built as the potential boundary line between Israel and a future Palestinian state. Our tour guide fully expects that a State of Palestine will be created soon. He didn’t express much remorse on that topic, only that it was necessary to give the Palestinians their own state, because at the rate their population is growing, they would take over Israel in a matter of 100 years.

We also saw the Mound of the Herodium, a fortress that Herod the Great built into the top of a mountain. We didn’t get to visit it in person, which was okay with me (I was interested in focusing on Biblical sites more than historic ones), but it was interesting to talk about Herod’s propensity to build pretty much everything big. This is also the site of Herod’s mausoleum, where he’s buried.

Lastly, one of the group suggested that we sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem”. It was amazing to actually be where the words of songs like that are describing. It wasn’t a deeply spiritually moving experience to sing the song, though, but I think his suggesting it was strategic in that it continued to expose our secular Jewish tour guide to the things of Jesus.

The Banana Factory is hosting a “meet and greet” of their Resident Artists. Could be a great chance to plug in with some local artists, explore the art culture of Bethlehem, and enjoy (rumor has it) artisan chocolates from The Chocolate Lab.

November 19th • 6-9pm • Crayola Gallery @ The Banana Factory

In 1 John 4:19 the Bible says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” This verse comes in the midst of a passage about God’s love. It is a statement that summarizes what our attitude toward God ought to be. It shows that His love is the incentive, the motive, and moral cause of our love. The word for love in this text is AGAPE, which means, among other things, caring enough about someone to sacrifice for him. God so loved us to this degree that He sent Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus loved us so much that He willingly came and died. Because of this great love, we must love so good a God, who was first in the act and work of love; who loved us when we were both unloving and unlovely; who loved us at so great a cost – the expense of His only begotten Son’s blood. Because of this great love, we are naturally moved (at least we should be moved) to love Him, our fellow brethren, and the whole lost world in return. So how do we show our love for God and Jesus? The New Testament tells us a number of ways…

First, we show our love for God and Jesus by obeying them!

John 14:15 records Jesus teaching His disciples, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Later in the discourse, He said to them, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (vs.21). Did you notice the blessings He promised to those who love Him and keep His commandments? He said, if we love Him the Father will love us, and He (Jesus) will love us and manifest Himself to us. Later in his life, John tied together love for God and obedience. He wrote, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:3-6). A little later in this same epistle, the Holy Spirit said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). From time to time we have heard someone say, “I just can’t keep this old Bible. I just can’t live up to its teachings.” But John says obeying God’s commands are not burdensome. This does not mean that everything we do will be easy or even pleasant, but if we truly love God, we will gladly do whatever He tells us to do, simply because He tells us too. Our personal feelings about His commands are irrelevant. In these verses, we can clearly see that we show our love for God by obeying Him. This also means that if we do NOT keep His commandments, we do NOT really love Him. Disobedience shows a lack of love.

Second, we show our obedience and love for God and Jesus by putting them first!

When asked on one occasion what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). The point Jesus was making is that with everything we are and have, we must love God. This demands that He be first in our life. And Jesus demands the same for Himself. He said on another occasion, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37-39). Speaking of Jesus, Paul wrote, “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (or first place)” (Colossians 1:18). Consider also 1 John 2:15 which says, “Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” This text shows that if we prefer the world (or anything in the world) above Him, that a true love for God is not there. Truly, love for God and Jesus means that they must be a priority in our lives. They must come first.

Third, we show our obedience and love for God and Jesus by loving our brethren!

On the same occasion that Jesus taught His disciples to keep His commandments He told them how important loving one another would be. He said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another” (John 13:34-35). The Holy Spirit emphasized this again in 1 John 4:20-21. There the Bible says, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” Did you notice the emphatic equation between our love for our brethren and our love for God? Truly, we show God how much we love Him by preferring to be with others of a like precious faith.

Fourth, we show our obedience and love for God and Jesus by telling others about Them!

If you love someone, you want others to know about him or her (AMEN?). One who loves his parents, will humbly tell others about them. He who truly loves his wife, will want others to know about her. He wears a ring and puts her upon a pedestal. Such is also true if we love God and Jesus. We will want to let others know that they are a part of our life. In Acts 8:4, we read of persecuted brethren who, “were scattered abroad (and) went everywhere preaching the word.” Their love for Christ compelled them to tell others about Him. The apostle Paul spoke of His love for Christ compelling him in 2 Corinthians 5:14. A study of the context of that passage shows that he and those with him were interested in persuading men to believe in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). Loved ones, like the apostles Peter and John, we need to develop a bad case of the I-can’t-help-its when it comes to telling others about the Godhead. Even after being threatened and commanded not to speak any more in the name of Jesus, they told the Jewish leaders, “we cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:17-20). They surely remember the words of Jesus when He said, “Therefore, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). They also loved the Lord enough to say, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Do you love God and Jesus enough to tell others about Them?

Finally, we show our obedience and love for God and Jesus by loving them!

The point here is that when we act because we AGAPAO God, in time it will lead to a relationship, or a sense and emotion that is much deeper than merely obeying. In other words Agape love will lead to Phileo love for God. You ask, what’s the difference? Well in short, due to time, Agapao is the love of the mind or the will, and Phileo is the love of closeness and affection. Agapao often coveys the idea of showing love by action, whereas Phileo is a love of the feelings, and has to do with warm and spontaneous affection. John 16:27 says, “For the Father himself loves (Phileo) you, because you have loved (Phileo) Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.” Paul commanded, “If any one does not love (Phileo) the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord come” (1 Corinthians 16:22). These verses talk about the affection we ought to develop when Jesus and God become the influencing factors they should be in our lives.

Conclusion

There are other ways that we demonstrate our obedience and love for God and Jesus, but these five are sufficient to give us an idea of exactly what it involves. John gave this consolation concerning our love for Them: “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). James said, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). In these verses we see the reward we have if we truly love God and Jesus as we ought to. What about you? Do you love God and Jesus as you ought to? Do you love them enough to keep their commandments?

For the original article click here.

Join Pennwriters member Lisa Spahr of Pittsburgh, PA for a book signing this Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 1pm-3pm at the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, PA.  Lisa Spahr will be there to share her latest work, WWII Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion.

WWII Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion is a story about strangers helping each other during a time of war. The book features more than 30 letters and postcards sent to the author’s family in 1943, alerting them of her grandfather’s capture and status as a prisoner of war. Upon discovering these letters, Ms. Spahr began researching the people who did this, and why, and reached out to find them or their next of kin, more than 60 years after the fact. Her journey is detailed in WWII Radio Heroes.

Everyone that learns about this effort – absolute strangers listening to enemy radio each night in hopes of delivering good news to an awaiting family – is moved. Few people know it occurred- but the author hopes that will change with this publication.

WWII Radio Heroes has been featured in Pittsburgh Magazine, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, America in WWII, ARRL’s QST Magazines, and York Sunday News as well as on The American Entrepreneur Radio Show and KDKA Dave Crawley’s KD Country. Some of the postcards from the book are now featured in Soldier’s and Sailor’s new exhibit called “Thinking of You”.

To learn more about Lisa Spahr and WWII Radio Heroes, visit her online at www.powletters.com, or follow Lisa Spahr on FaceBook.

Look for Lisa Spahr on KDKA’s Pittsburgh Today Live on November 11th at 9 AM.