Blessed
Yes I am, and I don't know why...
I can't believe its only been a week, but the length of my fledgling IBEX beard tells me so. As usual, my vain ideas about the next stage of my life being less busy or easier turned out to be wrong again. One thing I was right (and am thankful) about, however, is that life is simpler in Israel. A lot fewer distractions than in the US, primarily because I don't have a car, a phone, a stereo, a church (to be involved in at least), a Mexican roommate (I miss you Aaron), or any food that has its meat and cheese touching. I'm not going to pretend I don't miss those things, but I do know that the Lord is using my lack of them to grow me this semester. The three things I do have: my Bible, classes, and friends (most of them new). I remember something my dad said when we were discussing how to bring stuff down to college my freshman year before we knew that I would have my pickup: "Nate, all you really need is a pair of blue jeans and your Bible". I think I'm appreciating the wisdom of that comment more now than I did at the time.
In order to clarify to everyone who cares, I refuse to join the "I've been to IBEX" cult when I return to TMC next fall. IBEX is a great program, but I think its nauseating that students tend to (not always) worship the experience and forget that IBEX gets its greatness because it is simply an intensive study of God. He alone is great, not Todd Bolen or falafels.
Classes are heavy (and only 13 units too), but I am excited about all of them (Land and the Bible, History of Ancient Israel, History of the Modern State of Israel, Life of Christ), especially Life of Christ. I've been to the old city of Jerusalem three times already (sounds like "we've dined at Rosings six times already!") <-- (not afraid to quote that...), and it has been a somewhat bittersweet experience. The city is extremely interesting to explore, however it is quite overrun with religious icons and fanfare that have nothing to with the God they think they're worshipping. (By the way, did you know that I saw the "belly-button of the world" in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre the other day?) I'm looking forward to seeing other parts of Israel that, as Bill Schlagel puts it, is a little less emphasis on the "smells and bells".
Today was a blast because eight of us went on an eight-mile hike down the Aijalon Valley from the moshav where we are staying and back (thanks roommate Ryan Heathers for organizing that!) We had a lot of fun talking the whole way, as well as "discovering" the ruins of an old Roman fortress and what we think was a cistern, chasing cows, exploring a couple (wimpy) caves, and trying to decipher trail maps that are in Hebrew (thank you Austin Surls).
Needless to say I'm tired and procrastinating (sorta), but it was important to write this as well... The following pictures are highlights:
I can't believe its only been a week, but the length of my fledgling IBEX beard tells me so. As usual, my vain ideas about the next stage of my life being less busy or easier turned out to be wrong again. One thing I was right (and am thankful) about, however, is that life is simpler in Israel. A lot fewer distractions than in the US, primarily because I don't have a car, a phone, a stereo, a church (to be involved in at least), a Mexican roommate (I miss you Aaron), or any food that has its meat and cheese touching. I'm not going to pretend I don't miss those things, but I do know that the Lord is using my lack of them to grow me this semester. The three things I do have: my Bible, classes, and friends (most of them new). I remember something my dad said when we were discussing how to bring stuff down to college my freshman year before we knew that I would have my pickup: "Nate, all you really need is a pair of blue jeans and your Bible". I think I'm appreciating the wisdom of that comment more now than I did at the time.
In order to clarify to everyone who cares, I refuse to join the "I've been to IBEX" cult when I return to TMC next fall. IBEX is a great program, but I think its nauseating that students tend to (not always) worship the experience and forget that IBEX gets its greatness because it is simply an intensive study of God. He alone is great, not Todd Bolen or falafels.
Classes are heavy (and only 13 units too), but I am excited about all of them (Land and the Bible, History of Ancient Israel, History of the Modern State of Israel, Life of Christ), especially Life of Christ. I've been to the old city of Jerusalem three times already (sounds like "we've dined at Rosings six times already!") <-- (not afraid to quote that...), and it has been a somewhat bittersweet experience. The city is extremely interesting to explore, however it is quite overrun with religious icons and fanfare that have nothing to with the God they think they're worshipping. (By the way, did you know that I saw the "belly-button of the world" in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre the other day?) I'm looking forward to seeing other parts of Israel that, as Bill Schlagel puts it, is a little less emphasis on the "smells and bells".
Today was a blast because eight of us went on an eight-mile hike down the Aijalon Valley from the moshav where we are staying and back (thanks roommate Ryan Heathers for organizing that!) We had a lot of fun talking the whole way, as well as "discovering" the ruins of an old Roman fortress and what we think was a cistern, chasing cows, exploring a couple (wimpy) caves, and trying to decipher trail maps that are in Hebrew (thank you Austin Surls).
Needless to say I'm tired and procrastinating (sorta), but it was important to write this as well... The following pictures are highlights:
The citadel of David
The Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa mosque (left and right domes)
Jerusalem at night
What we think was a cistern (Emily is looking up at the hole for the bucket)
posted by Nate Boone @ 12:20 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Nate Boone! haha, eight miles in the wild Israeli wilderness... or whatever it's considered... sounds so awesome! I'm so glad to see that you're being drawn so much closer to our God and that you're being humbled by the knowledge of God's wrath and mercy with His people and us, those crazy gentiles.
Alright Mr. I don't like the IBEX cult!!! Do you know what happens when people they try to leave a cult? Well, it is not good. Actually I thought it was something that started within our youth group because we had so many people that have been to IBEX, not a TMC thing. Show's what I know about the whole cult thing. But my friend from Corban needs to join.
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