Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 483
April 14, 2011
Day 3, Part I: Beatitudes, to Banias, to Golan
A great day but too much for one video so I cut today in half. Here is the first half. Enjoy! All is well.
April 13, 2011
Bill Boards, and mailers, and websites, oh my!!
I put on my emergency flashers when I saw it on I-275. I had to pull over for a quick picture because I had never before seen a church advertise like it was a casino. Northridge+Easter="Winning!"
Next, a similar looking mailer came in the mail saying, "Easter comes once a year…" And I realized this is more than a typical protestant mega church…this is a brand-name, money-making, marketing machine. Their website sports trendy graphics, a young guy who may not have shaved recently, and some cryptic videos about inviting people…but what is this all about, really?
There is no traditional Christian symbolism, no Cross, indeed you have to dig deep on their website and get out your decoder-ring to discover they're Christian and not some fancy entertainment complex. Are they trying to trick people into thinking Jesus is hip?
Jesus is NOT hip. The world is hip. Jesus did not promise a our youth a "Red Carpet and your own paparazzi" if you serve Him. Jesus told us,"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me before it hated you. If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as one of its own. But you don't have anything in common with the world. I chose you from the world, and that is why the world hates you." (John 15:18-19 GWT)
I am not hopeful that people who would come for the flashing lights, plush seats and mocha lattes will seek anything different when they are finished being entertained. But I hope that I am wrong.
Lets pray during this last week of lent that more people would discover the true beauty, real history, and powerful sacraments in the Catholic Church this Easter.
And for your enjoyment, if you haven't seen if already, check out this mega-church youtube video.
~Jesse Ray
Day 2: Mount Tabor, Cana & Nazareth
Great first full day of our pilgrimage. We started out at Mount Tabor (Mountain of the Transfiguration). Then we renewed wedding vows in Cana of Galilee. Next we had lunch in Nazareth before Mass at the Church of Annunciation.
Video is in process and I hope to have it up in a few hours. All is well, food is great, spiritually enriching, weather beautiful and all are happy and enjoying some free time this afternoon and evening.
April 12, 2011
Day 1: Arrival to Galilee
Everything went well today. The group arrived, half on Delta and half on El Al. Most of the pilgrims are from the Phoenix diocese with Fr. Rob Clemons, famous for doing the TV Mass every week. Joe Reynolds, my videographer for Footprints of God is also here doing a video for the Catholic TV station in Phoenix Arizona.
All arrived safely with only one suitcase lost. We have a great group of people including Jerry Usher of Catholic Radio fame who will be doing daily live reports on Sonrise on EWTN. I will join him.
We are all settled in at Ron Beach Hotel on the shore of Galilee and everyone is asleep getting rested for a busy day tomorrow at Mount Tabor (Mount of the Transfiguration), renewal of Wedding Vows in Cana of Galilee, lunch and Mass in Nazareth. We will have Mass at the Grotto of the Annunciation.
Please leave a Comment (under the video) for your family and friends and I will read them daily on the bus!!!
April 11, 2011
From the Womb to the Tomb
My run from the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Just posted a Running trip, "2011-04-11 Bethlehem to Jerusalem", to @EveryTrail. Check it out here: Bethlehem to Jerusalem bit.ly/gncw4V.
EveryTrail iPhone App • 4/11/11 1:41 PM
April 10, 2011
April 9, 2011
Security and our Passports
The back of our passports are covered with about 100 colorful security stickers.
Janet is second checked by security in Amsterdam because she looks so threatening.
Israel is smart and profiles. I doubt the politically-correct Western World will ever get that smart.
Now that we've passed thru the gauntlet we're on our way to Tel Aviv to prepare for our April group.
No worries. The trouble in Israel shown on the news is way south in Gaza – far from the holy sites we visit.
Meditation Centers
Janet and I are on a layover in Amsterdam on our way to Israel. You never see anything Christian here but Muslims are everywhere. Also, as an aside, 10% of Holland's gross national product is sex.
In the airport you find Meditation Centers. I guarantee these were Catholic Chapels in years past. Now they are politically correct and ecumenical "Meditation Centers" which are filled with Muslims.
Catholics in Europe, you're losing it! Europe, you are losing it! Beware America! You are next!
Stephen K. Ray's Blog
- Stephen K. Ray's profile
- 27 followers
