Presby-Musings

Courage.  I always liked how the Cowardly Lion said that word. "Currrage!"   There aren't too many moments in my life when I get to exhibit courage.  My courageous moments are more ordinary--everyday courage, if you will.  Like that time this woman tried to cut in front of of my family and I at Walt Disney World when we were waiting in line for Peter Pan.  "Hey!" I barked at her. "The end of the line is back there!"  "Oh really?" she said trying to act dumb and not moving.  "Really." I said and sort of shuffled around to block her way.  She mumbled curse words or something at me and went to the back of the line.  I was a hero to like eight people. It felt awesome.  Or the time I was called by a telemarketer at dinner.  "Seriously?" I exclaimed over the phone.  "You are seriously trying to call and sell me something over the phone a DINNERTIME?" Then I hung the phone up with a bang. B...

When I was a youngster I wasn't exactly what you might call "easy on the eyes."  Not that I am now, mind you, but back then---things were pretty messed up.  There is a school photo I recall that stands out far more than any other.  I was perhaps twelve years old at the time. For some reason I was clad in a dress shirt, a sweater vest and a clip on tie that had the most garish decor could imagine silk screened on it.  My hair was sort of plastered to my head, my ears were sticking out and my enormous glasses sort of rounded out the ensemble perfectly. My eyes are crossed pretty severely in the photo on account of the fact they tend to do that because I am blind in one of them.  Sometimes, like in this photo, they cross more than others. To sum things up... I was looking good.  Here it is: When I think about that photo, I just want to reach into it and put my hand on twelve year old Leon's shoulders... and shake the living crap out of him. "Dude! ...

This week, as part of our effort to live in the rhythm of the Church calendar , we'll be celebrating the Third Sunday after Epiphany.  Interestingly, this is also known as the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time . I know. It's weird church-y stuff, but hear me out.  Regardless of what we call this particular season of the Church, we have to be aware of where  it's located: sandwiched between Advent and Lent.  The pause between signs and wonders--between Nativity and Resurrection. Which teaches us something about what it means to be a Christian. I am almost positive that the Church fathers who came up with this whole season thing knew exactly  what they were doing.  There is something about this strip of ordinary in between the extraordinary celebrations of Christmas and Easter that helps us understand what it means to follow Christ beyond the signs, beyond the wonders. This whole being a disciple of Jesus thing---it's about more than just Christmas...

Before we returned from our second trip to the Holy Land in as many years, my wife Merideth and I began planning our next one. We hoped to return once again in the Spring after Passover and Easter, which seemed to us like the perfect time to go. We also wanted to make sure that we secured who we believe is the very best guide that anyone could ever have on a trip to the Holy Land: Erez B'Galil.  And we wanted to add some exciting components, provide our pilgrims with the opportunity to experience some of modern Israel , and have more opportunities for me to teach onsite, and offer learning opportunities that are catered to our particular group. Well, we did it.  All of those things fell into place, and Merideth and I will be getting the chance to lead another incredible trip to the Holy Land in April, 2015 and I'm offering a great opportunity to folks who would like to join me. Merideth and I are inviting our friends, family, church members or anyone who is interest...

[For those who have been following along---I have been leading a group of church members family and newfound friends on a pilgrimage through the Holy Land. The last week has been spent in the Galilee region of Israel---as well as some memorable excursions beyond it] This week that we have spent literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus has taken our little band of pilgrims on some incredible journeys. Our trip to the "Primacy of Peter" was one of the more memorable sites for me---as it was the last time I made the trip. I have been thinking a lot about what it means to follow Jesus lately and this site spoke to me in a fairly awesome way. The Primacy of Peter is the traditional site on the Sea of Galilee where this took place: 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, d...

Today was the third full day of the Holy Land pilgrimage that I am leading with members of my church and some new friends that have joined us. One of the sites that we visited was the ancient city of Bethsaida--one of the many towns that Jesus visited repeatedly during his ministry to the Galilee. Bethsaida is a word that loosely means "House of Hunting & Fishing" and it indeed was a town that was famous for both. It was also a location that was blessed by fertile land all around it and had been a major city for nearly two thousand years before Jesus arrived there. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a major Canaanite city named Geshur on the site of ancient Bethsaida. Geshur was a city that was loyal to King David and even supplied him with one of his several wives from among it's royal family. But Bethsaida is known more famously for two things: 1) the miracles that Jesus performed there--particularly the healing of a blind man which was done ...

Christmas is over. I just heard the garbage truck drive up to the curb outside my house and make quick work of the huge mound of trash bags I piled there last night---trash bags filled with discarded wrapping paper, boxes and of course the remains of several holiday dinners. I have begun eyeing the boxes and storage containers within which my Christmas decorations will soon be placed for another year.  It's a job I do not relish. Here's a thought that may have crossed your mind once or twice as well:  Maybe we could just keep celebrating Christmas for a while.  Do we really have to rush away from it as quickly as we rushed toward it? What happened to the wonder that we all felt on Christmas Eve? Where's the unexpectedness of the Season of Expectation that we call Advent? Is it really all lost in a pile of decorations waiting to be put away?  A stack of bills that will need to be paid? What if we were called to something different? Hold that thought...

View of the Old City of Jerusalem When I went to the Holy Land last year, I had no idea how life-changing the trip would be.  But I did know that I wanted to return as soon as I could.  I'll be getting the chance to do just that in April, 2013 and I'm offering a great opportunity to folks who would like to join me. Merideth and I are inviting our friends, family, church members or anyone who is interested in making a pilgrimage to the Galilee and to Jerusalem for a once-in-a-lifetime experience through Educational Opportunities Tours. I'll be doing some on site teaching as we travel, and in the evenings we'll also be hearing from our tour leader and lecturer Dr. Larry Selig. Jesus in the Galilee & Jerusalem:  10 Days of Biblical Discovery April 2-11, 2013 all inclusive price of $3048 from Orlando, $2898 from Newark (or travel from a city near you) ADD 2 DAYS IN JERUSALEM for just $307 (including gratuities) $300 DEPOSIT REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT S...