Continuing "Hither and Yon".

May 2019

Hi, Ho!  Where have I been?  I’ve been continuing to trek “hither and yon” – mostly “hither-ing” (read the last blog).  “Yon-ing” doesn’t happen as often.

The Passover season took us to northern AZ and Nevada (from Las Vegas north to Elko).  What a joy to fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Lord across state lines, to hear about and pray for their Jewish friends who need Jesus (and perhaps to meet their Jewish friends at the Passover Seders), and to share with all why Israel is significant in God’s plan for the world and why a Jewish person placing their trust in Jesus is the most Jewish thing they can do!

As we left Las Vegas following precious times with many friends, former and new, we looked forward to seven or so hours of driving through new territory.  Our Nevada experience has never been north of Las Vegas…until now.  Soon after getting on the highway, the GPS directed us off the highway.  Odd?  Perhaps a detour due to highway construction or….  The new route: narrow surface streets winding passed convenience stores, bars, and questionable outlets.   Bobby said, “God must have a reason for our leaving the highway and bringing us through this area.”  Thirty seconds following his remark, we pulled up behind a car at a light.  The man on the sidewalk did not approach the car ahead of us.  He was focused on dancing in Steve Martin/King Tut fashion.  Homeless?  Seemingly.  Bobby ministers among the homeless.  This man, however, was not holding a sign advertising his particular needs.  There was no shopping cart nearby containing his worldly possessions.  The bearded, long-haired man was extremely bedraggled.   The light turned green and the car ahead moved on.  Immediately the light turned red. There was no advance movement toward us by the man.  Bobby offered him a bottle of water and he approached the car.  As he reached for the bottle, a soft spoken, sincere, gentle, rather polished voice responded with, “Thank you, Bob”!!!  Bobby wasn’t wearing a name tag.  The light turned green and we moved on in silence.  In reflecting, Bobby quietly said, somewhat questioningly, “He called me by name -?”  I replied, “That’s what I heard.”  The GPS very shortly thereafter directed us to the highway.

The entire trip was such a gift from God in multiple ways.  Several months ago, upon being asked if a missionary from Chosen People could present a Passover Seder, the church in Elko responded immediately and with great interest.  Never before had this church experienced a Seder.  Our time together during the service and afterwards during the afternoon was sweet.

From northern Nevada we drove to Arizona for one additional Seder at our home church, Scottsdale Bible.  I typically begin the Seder with a song and invite those who gather to join me.   I was excited!  I skipped up to the front of the auditorium and became short-winded. I had started our melody too

high…and so, directed the audience to run with it. Some did, some didn't.  We laughed. I restarted in a lower key and it was joyous.  People were comfortable and most responsive.  My sweet Jewish friend interjected a Hebrew word concerning one of my actions in explaining the Seder preparation.  Among the 300 who attended that evening, a family atmosphere had been established. I lit the candles at the head table and during the presentation I walked in front of the table along a narrow ledge of the platform.  Several, I was told afterwards, were fearful that the flames from the candles were going to ignite me!  The Holy Spirit certainly set our hearts afire as we worshipped the Lord!  Most glorious were the conversations I had with Jewish non-believers who heard God’s plan of redemption that evening as we focused on the blood of the Passover Lamb!

GPS/God’s Positioning System is a marvel!!!