St. Luke Lutheran Church » Pastor Dan’s Blog

The Jerusalem Temple Steps and a Final word on the Trip

dflynn — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:18:04 +0000

We stood on the Temple steps that Jesus had most certainly walked on. I end the blog with a final comment on our trip. It is all over now. We are home and in jet lag recovery. Please take a watch of the final video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jerusalem our first day

dflynn — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:43:14 +0000

We hit snow on our first day and cold rain as we walked the via dolorosa in Jerusalem. See the snow reporter, John, talk. Cindy and Mary share something of their experience. End the blog listening to singing in St. Ann’s church.

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A Dead Sea reflection

dflynn — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:28:42 +0000

Listen to what Paul has to say about our day at the Dead Sea. He then gives a word on our journey into Jerusalem. At this point, Jerusalem is having torrential rains so we will be walking in heavy rain tomorrow. This is highly unusual. Jerusalem is more desert like and the waters wash to the Dead Sea where they are now having flash floods. Enjoy the water clips at the end of Paul’s comments.

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Our Jordan Visit

dflynn — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:51:41 +0000

Jim Walworth and Jeanette Haak share a good word about their visit to Jordan. At the end you’ll see some entertaining video of camel riding. We rode over a mile through Petra. The first clip was done on an iphone and is a narrow image. We are have a wonderful time.

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A Nazareth Visit

dflynn — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:35:43 +0000

Todd Baker is sharing a reflective word on our trip to Nazareth. Take a listen.

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Tel Dan

dflynn — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:57:46 +0000

We went to the region of Caesarea Philippi and did a hike up to the Tel Dan ruin. Here was the area in the Old Testament Jeroboam (I Kings 12) had animal sacrifice to a golden calf. Jesus was in the same area and asked the question of his disciples, “who do you say I am.” Peter’s response, “You are the Christ.”

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The Tel Megiddo – incredible

dflynn — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:30:25 +0000

This video does not do justice to what we saw. It is an amazing tel dating back 3500 years. Here is history that I’ve studied for years coming to life. King Ahab has a tunnel we walked through that brought fresh water into the city.

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We’ve arrived in Israel

dflynn — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:00:41 +0000

We are now at The Season’s Hotel in Netanya. Our hotel is right on the coast on the Mediterranean.

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Blog: Jehoiada

cparker — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:56:56 +0000

In my reading, I recently came across the story of Jehoiada and Joash (11 Chron. 23). I was intrigued by the silent voice, the voice of Jehoiada.

The story begins with the line of David at risk. The evil queen mother, Athaliah, has overtaken the thrown of Judah after the death of her son. To ensure her power, she orders all of the sons of the monarchy to be killed. As the sons await their murder Athaliah’s daughter, Jehosheba, takes one child – a baby named Joash and his nurse and hides them. Eventually the baby is secretly brought to the High Priest at the Temple.

The Temple in those days was large and complex with many rooms. The baby was easily hidden for six years – preserving the royal family through this one child. When Joash was seven year’s old (Read II Chronicles 23) the priest Jehoiada used his influence with the army and had the boy elevated to king. The evil queen mother is killed and the line of David is re-established under King Joash. He ruled for 40 years (chapter 24:1) and we’re told that as long as Jehoiada lived Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

What so strikes me about Jehoiada is how unknown he is. Jehoiada is NOT one of the great biblical giants of the Old Testament. We know of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua and David, but not Jehoiada. In biblical history he is a blip on the screen, a quiet whisper, a minor in influence – maybe, just like you and me. Jehoiada knew his role and he lived to that purpose. He preserved the monarchy and led the Kingdom of Judah faithfully. As a result the line of David was preserved and so was the promise of the messiah

It is so easy to deny our potential and our purpose because we don’t see a role. In fact, we see ourselves in a rather insignificant way. When Jehoiada was confronted with a decision, a dangerous one, he made the call and protected a baby prince. I expect he didn’t really plan on protecting a baby but there he was, for seven years, hiding a child.

I believe each of us has a purpose. We can feel insignificant but God looks at us in a different way. God uses us to show the world who He is. It isn’t by title, prestige or power. We are simply called to be who we are and the world will be changed. I really want to live out my own calling. The one that God has in mind. Just like Jehoiada.

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If you have questions, or would like to discuss this blog, feel free to contact Pastor Dan at dflynn@livingwatermi.org.

Blog: How would they describe you?

cparker — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:35:57 +0000

In my daily quiet time I’ve been reading II Chronicles, which follows the line of King David – so each chapter or so has a different king. It opens with an extensive amount of information on the reign of King Solomon, followed by subsequent kings who become less and less significant until the kingdom falls to the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

From chapter to chapter each king’s reign is described and the author writes some brief comment about that king. Look at some of these statements:

Reheboam (II Chron. 12:14) “He did evil because he had not set his heart on Seeking the Lord.”
Asa (II Chron. 14:1) “He did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.”
Jehoshaphat (II Chron. 17:6) “His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord.”
Jehoram (II Chron. 21:6) “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.”

“He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” What a terrible thing to have for all time! No diplomacy here and certainly no cover up to what the king’s character was really like.

Each comment succinctly mentions something about the character of the king. This got me thinking. What could be said of me?

Dan Flynn, “He could ride a bike really far.”
Dan Flynn, “A man who could complain about riding his bike really far.”
Dan Flynn, “He desired to be faithful to his calling.”

No one wants to be known for a greedy character, or lying mouth, or as one son of King Charlemagne is described as “Pippin the Hunchback.” How would people describe you? Regardless of how we see ourselves or others, the Bible tells us some very important things about God, and how he sees us through Jesus Christ.

Note a few to these descriptions:

Jesus, the Lamb of God
Jesus, the light of the World
Jesus the redeemer
Jesus is life

These descriptions are important. They speak to the quality of the person and for us the love of the Son of God, Jesus. We are also God’s children (John 1:12). This changes everything. It’s too late for Reheboam, Jehoram or even Pippen the Hunchback, but your title is bought with a price and given freely. You are a child of God! A nice title to have – like being a royal prince and it comes with the gift of salvation.