Day 2 in Israel...

I went to.bed late last night but still woke up at my usual time, around 5 am, then I thought I would close my eyes for just a few minutes more...and woke up at 9 am!  I was scandalized but felt so refreshed! Those of you who are praying for my health and rest are dialed in! Thank you so much!!  

Israel and Vicki Pochtar, the founders of Beit Hallel, have a beautiful new apt. and invited me over to check it out and to use their building's gym, but all my gym buddies disappeared!  After a short workout, I had a bowl of oatmeal and we were all off in different directions for the day.  I went back to Sason's apt. and worked on my writing and preparations for speaking that evening. It looked like I was to be speaking in Nazareth as the day began but it was switched from an Arabic congregation to a Russian one.  I was a little disappointed at first but it turned out to be one of the most beautiful experiences of sharing and interaction I have ever had!  

 I felt like the Holy Spirit was leading me to speak on "3 Impossibilities for the Believer"- You can't Love and Judge at the same time, you can't be Thankful and Grumble at the same time nor can you Follow Jesus and Try to Lead Him at the same time!  You can always tell when the Holy Spirit has prepared the way and is having His way with us...  people were leaning forward for 40 minutes, fully engaged and throughout the time many tears were flowing...  

I think tears are most often a Holy Spirit washing of a wounded or grieving heart- He comes up alongside of us and pours love, understanding and compassion all over us then we can just let down and fall into His arms as He brings the healing!  

I only made it through two of the 'three impossibilities' during the 40 minutes because translation cuts the teaching time in half!  At 40 minutes I told them that the Holy Spirit was pressing on me to stop and not do the third one but they objected, so I started to say more but the Spirit kept pressing and reminded me of John 16:12, so I told them next time, Lord willing, I would give them number 3, You Can't Lead Jesus and Follow Him at the Same Time.  It was a bit of a teaser, but it was exactly the right time to end.  Afterward we had over an hour to meet people, answer questions and lay hands on folks for a variety of issues in their life!   

Later we reconvened at Sason's house with some really great young adults, sharing food, excitement from the evening and fun stories about following Jesus.  I hit the sack about 1 am and two hours later I am up writing my blog entry, still bathing in the afterglow of this incredible evening with God and his family!!  

I have a couple of challenging meetings tomorrow but they are nothing our God cannot handle, but first maybe a little more sleep...   God bless each of you richly, jerry