I'm sorry for the delay in getting started with my trip blog. The intensity of this trip was a bit more that I expected. I spend most of my "down time" trying to recover from the jet lag. The Ministry of Tourism has packed a lot into these few days so I'll be rolling out these posts a bit slower than I originally planned.





This is the ELAL 747 that brought us safely across the Atlantic and Europe to Tel Aviv, Israel. I can't remember the last time I had an actual meal on a plane flying economy. Of course, I've never been on a 10-hour-flight before either.





The Ben Gurion International Airport, very sleek and modern. Lots of cool architecture to check out but I didn't have much time to meander. Perhaps on the way out of the country.

Our knowledgeable and hilarious guide Zion (pronounced "zee OWN") Ben-David. As an introduction to the week ahead he tells us, "I'm going to make you run where Jesus walked." With all that we are cramming into our time here, I don't think anyone doubts him.





Famous Tev Aviv skyscapers that sit on top of the city's largest shopping mall The Azrieli Center.




Rush hour in Tel Aviv on the way to the hotel.

Do you remember that song?  

I’m going where the grapes are growin’
I’m going where the rivers are flowin’
I’m going, yes I’m going to Canaan’s land
It’s really grand....

If you grew up in the 80’s in the Christian sub-culture, your parents might have had that album too. I don’t remember who was singing it or even what the album cover looked like. I just remember it was sung earnestly by a small child. At the time I assumed they were talking about Israel or the Holy Land but now I wonder if the song refers not to the Israelites escaping Egypt into the land of milk and honey, but to heaven.  (Anyone with a better memory of the song than mine, please feel free to post below.)

But now for the first time in my life I am headed to Israel. Thanks to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, I am joining about 15 other American journalists who write for Christian publications and websites for a tour of the Holy Land. Of course, exploring the land where my faith was born is an exciting venture. Before now I’ve never had the opportunity.  

So over the days that follow I will be posting reports on my travels around Israel. Tel Aviv, Tiberius, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea… it seems like a lot of ground to cover in 7 days. Stay tuned for more reports and photos (if this tech-challenged writer can actually work the camera and get the pics posted).

For more information about touring Israel click the link below:
GoIsrael.com

Over on WORLD magazine's website, Warren Cole Smith has some thoughtful things to say about Fireproof, the latest "Christian" film to hit the mainstream. As Smith says, many Christian film reviewers have overlooked the film's shortcomings because of the filmmakers' noble intentions. Many of the film's viewers and supporters have lashed out at critics who have pointed out the movie's poor technical quality. (See for example the reader feedback on Crosswalk.com's review of Fireproof.)

The Kendrik brothers, who also brought us the film Facing the Giants, are Christians who are looking to make films that reflect their Christian values and worldview. This was their goal with their film Fireproof and that's a good thing. But do we as Christians who watch such films, and desire to support the Kendricks, overlook the flaws in their art simply because they are like-minded? Says Smith:


Well said Mr. Smith. Those of us who are Christians assessing this art for a Christian audience must not create a different standard for reviewing Christian films than the standard we have for secular ones. We must graciously preach the truth.

Read the full article: "Fireproof" Shouldn't be Critic Proof

Several friends over the weekend have emailed me blog posts from evangelical writers who are not so happy about McCain’s pick for Vice President, Sarah Palin. Most notably cataloged by a contributor to the politically left-leaning “The Daily Kos” blog:

…you'll see that plenty of evangelicals are far from "fired up and ready to go" for this Republican ticket…

Whatever their political differences, evangelical Christian bloggers share a general philosophy about a woman's proper role in the family and society. As the recommended reading list of the Biblical Womanhood site suggests, they are not big on moms of young kids working outside the home. Ladies Against Feminism is frequently found on Christian blogrolls, and that blog is adamant about God wanting women to focus on home and family.

Kos goes on to quote some of the bloggers who are apprehensive about what it means for the United States to have a woman in high political office.

Not only do I believe that a pro-family candidate would prefer to see Mrs. Palin at home taking care of her children, I believe a pro-family candidate would also avoid validating and advancing our culture’s desire to completely erase gender roles.

And…

The message is "men and women should have equal access to the same roles". The reality is, that's not how God created HIS universe to run. He created them male and female, and yes, by their very biological design, nature screams at our dull senses "YOU ARE DIFFERENT"! Created for different purposes, created to compliment one another in their life work.

And…

I am confident that Mrs. Palin is a delightful, sincere, thoughtful, and capable woman with many commendable virtues. But in fairness, there is nothing "traditional" about mothers of young children becoming career moms, chief magistrates, and leading nations of three hundred million, nor is this pattern the biblical ideal to which young women should aspire.

And… 

I can assent to Sarah Palin's conservative views and even applaud them, but I mourn for a nation whose men have forgotten how to lead their families and their land in the way our Founders envisioned and the way God intended. A wife and mother has already been elected by God to the highest office in the land. She has her own particular husband to help, his calling to make successful, and her children to nurture and train to the glory of God. How could the vice-presidency possibly compare with a task that God has personally designed her to fill? 

Read the complete blog post: Not all evangelical conservatives are thrilled with Palin

Evangelical leaders appear to be in almost complete unison applauding the Palin choice. Obviously some evangelical bloggers aren’t so excited about Palin, but is there really widespread "dissension in the ranks" on this one? As our audience here is made up of mostly evangelical Christians, I’m wondering what you think. Is it disingenuous for Christians to say they support family values, and then endorse a candidate who is the mother of young children? Are you and your Christian friends unhappy that this wife and mother will be out of her home, and presumably distracted from her family life?  Do you think God’s design for women would prevent a wife and mother from running for high political office?

Many would  probably point to the "Deborah Principle" in regard to Palin or other right thinking women who end up in political leadership. The idea refers to the story of the prophet Deborah in the Old Testament, whom God called to lead the Israelites when no men would step forward to take the job. Blogger and author Doug Wilson points out:

An issue that will be discussed among some conservative Christians is the propriety of electing a woman. Evangelical Christians are overwhelmingly hostile to feminism, and so what is with that? I have argued before from Isaiah 3:12 -- "children are their oppressors, and women rule over them" -- that feminism is one of the things Scripture uses as an indicator of God's judgment on a culture...  But as a biblical absolutist, and not a simple traditionalist, I also want to make room for the occasional Deborah. Life is funny, and you should remember that in the Bible Deborah was the dame who upstaged a fellow named Barak. Kinda spooky when you think about it.

Read his complete post: Kinda Spooky When You Think About It

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