Unity in Christ

As I was reviewing this blog from 2008, I couldn't believe all of this happened in one day, but as you'll find out, the Lord had made it known that it was to be a very special one!

"We drove from the Dead Sea to Jerusalem. As we approached the city we pulled over on the side of the road. It was actually the site of the Good Samaritan's Inn used in the parable of Jesus. It was still very much desert. No trees... just a camel or two and a Bedouin. We got off the bus. Pastor shared with us that he had us stop there because there was absolutely nothing to see. No people, no architecture... nothing, just a fence and a highway. He knew alot of people were being overwhelmed with all they were trying to take in and he knew that if we thought we were overloaded we just needed to hang on because we were about to come face to face with the City of our God. Pastor had had revelation in the night that we were supposed to treat this day as a service. That we were to keep our focus on him... even in the midst of play and photos, ready to be obedient and to move into worship at any moment.


As we were returning to the bus a young Arab boy came riding on a donkey- fast! He saw us there and came to see what was going on. (Hi ho silver! Check out the pics) Pastor gave him a bag of candy and some money. He shook his hand and then waved to everyone on the bus. He couldn't have been more than ten. But right there in the nothing we were able to love.

We approached the Old City and it was majestic! We moved down the Mount of Olives to the Chapel of Tears. Here we spent a moment of worship. It was awesome! All Who Are Thirsty and Open Heaven. As we were singing and looking out over the Old City several other groups came closer and just enjoyed with us. We dispersed our little meeting for a time for quiet time and photos. Renee was taking pictures when a man from Japan walked up to her and began to speak with her about how much the worship had blessed he and his pastor. Renee told Pastor and Pastor went and talked with them for a moment. Then he gathered all of us and we sang to the pastor and his two friends. I wish you could have seen how they drank it in (oh wait you can, check
out the pics) Then we stretched out our hands and blessed them and their ministry. They received it and asked if they could sing to us. So they sang the most beautiful song in Japanese and truly worshipped... It was another Worship Embassy Summit. You have to love God! Without Walls: Chapel of Tears Edition.

While we were preparing to leave after this encounter a woman came up to Susan Smith, she stuck out her hand to shake Susan's but before she shook it she just grabbed her and hugged her and cried saying Poland. Susan looked at her and said U.S.A. The lady from Poland said, "Blessed!" Three words that say so much.

We proceeded to the Garden of Gethsemane. Pastor and Meir arranged it so that we could use the little locked garden off to the right side of the Church of All Nations. Usually we use the garden on the other side of the street, but this time we got into the place that Rev. Helm had prayed about. We began to sing and exalt God. Brett sang, "If it wasn't for love." WOW! He had written the song about the Garden of Gethsemane and there he was singing it there. We looked up to the city and sang "God of this City" and He is!!

Pastor shared about how Jesus came to this place to sacrifice His life. This is where He made the choice to love us more than He loved Himself. "Father not My will but Yours be done" Pastor drew the parellel and you can see it in one of the
pictures. That as Jesus sacrificed he could look up to where the judgment seat will be located on that last day. Sacrifice and Judgement were right there. His humility and His authority right there.

We spread out and people took this time to pray at the rocks where Jesus prayed. To meditate on what He did, what He's doing and what He will do.

As we were leaving my Aunt Susan came up to me and expressed her and Kathy's desire that I sing Ave Maria inside the Church of All Nations. Well, one thing you know about this church is that there is a giant SILENCE sign above the door as you walk in. Well, I thought it's worth a shot. So I found Meir and he went with me to the priest and asked if it would be ok. He said yes. It was actually a relatively painless process. I was quite surprised. So I began to sing and the room fell silent. There were at least a hundred to hundred and fifty people in the room and it was almost as if they were holding their breath.

Erin shared afterward that God had given her a little gift in that moment. She saw a priest step from the back room. Not in running to see what was going on, but just barely stepped out. He drank in the song. And when it was over he just slipped back.

James said he saw the priest Meir and I had talked to just walk around the room and smile... a rare thing indeed.

When I was finished it was almost as if it overpowered me to know that I was worshipping I mean really worshipping Him in a place where He himself worshipped God the Father.

We took the rest of the day and just enjoyed ourselves we saw several different visas, but Pastor wanted us to have time to drink in the city and to receive the Sabbath like we should.

We went into the Old City just before sundown which is when Sabbath begins for the Jewish people. We walked though the Jewish Quarter as families were preparing to spend the next day in complete devotion to God. We went to the Western Wall and watched as hundreds upon hundreds of people came. The students and soldiers sang and danced. The men at the wall prayed with intensity and focus. The women sang. It was exciting and beautiful and all done for God. A giant thank you! Thank you Lord for giving us a day of rest. Thank you for loving us and giving us a home. In reverence to this holy time and place Meir asked us not to photograph, so that is why there are no pictures but the images and experiences from this night will be something I will never forget."

After reliving the whole day, it was an amazing service just like the dream God gave Pastor! Beautiful things happened that would not have, if we weren't ready to pause, worship, and pray! Lord, thank You for this glorious day!