Michelle Ule's Blog, page 14

The Story Behind Overflowing Faith

My latest biography, Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in the Desert, releases today, June 6, 2023.

It’s the story of Lettie Cowman–an astonishing woman from a small town in Iowa. Her life influenced millions of people around the world and in heaven today.

What began as a simple matching biography to Mrs. Oswald Chambers turned into a great appreciation for a very different woman.

I’ve always felt uncomfortable with emotional women like Lettie Cowman.

But I’ve come, oh how far I’ve come, to appreciate the importance of emotions–in, well, the acts of God.

Thanks, Lettie.

Why Write Overflowing Faith?

January 1, 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first publication of Streams in the Desert.

Alongside My Utmost for His Highest, The Daily Light, and a few others, Streams in the Desert is one of the most-read devotionals in history.

Circa 1912 (OMS Archives)

No one knows how many copies have sold. (Which is also true of the others).

After writing so much about Biddy, Oswald, and My Utmost for His Highest, it made sense to investigate Lettie’s life.

I knew so little.

It’s an honor to tell Lettie’s fantastic story.

She also reminds me of something my 8th grade history teacher, Mrs. Klocki, said. “I don’t know why you kids read fiction. You should read history–it’s not only more fantastic, but it’s also TRUE!”

Lettie was, in the words of my friends at the podcast, a woman worth knowing!

(Cheryl and Robin interview me about Lettie on June 6 and 13. Check it out here.)

What surprised me while writing Overflowing Faith?

How hard can it be to write a devotional? (My friends write them all the time!)

Lettie Cowman 1892 (OMS Archives)

It is hard to come up with 366 readings combining a Bible quote and spiritual wisdom in 300 words or less.

But even more difficult than the writing is living the source of all those nuggets of truth.

Lettie was not a simple woman penning sweet thoughts or compiling them from other writers.

She was a 5’4″ woman of marginal health who sailed the world’s oceans 50 years on behalf of the Gospel.

Streams in the Desert‘s publication marked only the hinge of her life.

Lettie lived a very full and busy existence both before and after the devotional!

It was her committment to the Gospel, born out of the Holiness Movement, that really impressed me.

The frail woman set off for Japan in 1901 to found a mission with her husband Charles: the Oriental Missionary Society. (Other founders included Juji Nakada, Ernest Kilbourne and Tetsusaburo Sasao).

It’s still ministering in 2023–though it’s now called One Mission Society.

The lengths the Cowmans went to share the Gospel shocked me: the Great Village Campaign and twenty years later, the Every Creature Campaign.

HOW many millions in heaven because of Lettie’s Overflowing Faith?

Who knows?

Lettie shared the gospel around the world. She never flagged in enthusiasm–though writing Streams in the Desert marked a low point in her life.

I wrote Overflowing Faith during the COVID pandemic. Two missionary friends were “caught” home on furlough when the United States closed its doors to the world.

And vice-versa.

Both were desperate to return to their countries to continue sharing the good news.

The younger friend caught a plane back to her station on the second day flights resumed to her continent.

The older friend flew three “red-eye” flights more than halfway around the world to return to a different continent.

All thing those missionaries wanted to do was to return to their countries.

Their hearts to serve humbled mine. Lettie’s desire to share the Word of God humbled me.

I’m a different person because I wrote this biography. I dedicated to all the missionaries I personally know.

Missionaries, in my book, include all the folks who run Christian camps for kids.

On sale now: bit.ly/OverflowingFaith

Thank you, all, for your service to God.

Oh, and thanks the wonderful folks at One Mission Society who allowed me to spend two weeks in their archives! Couldn’t have done it without you!

Takeaways?

Read Lettie’s biography to be inspired by God at work.

(Audiobook version is coming soon).

Marvel at how much God loves YOU.

And join me in being thankful for all the many people who have given so much to match God’s love for all–and Jesus’ sacrifice as a result.

Tweetables

A new biography of an astonishing missionary for Jesus. Click to Tweet

HOW many millions are in heaven because of Lettie Cowman? Read her bio and find out! Click to Tweet

To celebrate, we have a raffle going for the next week.

To enter (and you can enter every day), post a link to the book anywhere on social media.

Here’s a link to the book itself: Overflowing Faith

Here are the raffle possibilities:

1 EBook Overflowing Faith US Entries only (10 winners total).

1 PDF Overflowing Faith OUTSIDE the US (10 winners total).

1 Paperback copy Overflowing Faith US Entries only (5 winners total).

Just share this post, a link to the book, or make up your own.

Raffles close on June 13, 2023 at 9 AM California (PST) time.

Enjoy–and please, write a review whether you like the book or not.

(US entries only is because of postage fees to mail outside the US. I’m sorry.)

Link

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Wading Hezekiah’s Tunnel in Mind and Body

Of course we went wading in Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

I’d been reading about it for years.

I wanted to see (?) it. (It has no lights).

Or at least experience it. (The frigid water felt lovely on a nine-mile hiking day!).

But mostly, it was the history that drew me to a wet, cool, narrow, dark, and slippery tunnel.

Who was Hezekiah?

Recognized as one of Judah’s “good” kings, Hezekiah saw the march of the Assyrians into Israel and specifically around Jerusalem.

He reigned Judah from about 725BC to 687 BC. (Dates are not clear).

I was right behind Jim! (Author photo)

A righteous king, he directed the purification and repair of the Temple, reformed the Jewish priesthood, and reestablished Passover observances in Jerusalem.

But, Jerusalem was a prize and other nations knew it.

After these [Hezekiah’s] deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them over to himself.  And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that his purpose was to make war against Jerusalem, he consulted with his leaders and commanders to stop the water from the springs which were outside the city; and they helped him. 

2 Chronicles 32:2-4 (NKJV)

In addition to ordering the Siloam Pool tunnel construction, he oversaw the strengthening of Jerusalem’s walls and towers. He knew war was coming.

Other than the Bible study, what is the history of Hezekiah’s Tunnel?

Also called the Siloam Tunnel, the narrow passageway stretches through solid rock from the Gihon Spring on Jerusalem’s northeastern corner, to the Pool of Siloam.

About a third of a mile long with a slight gradient (so the water will flow from the spring to the pool), it’s unlit.

Lost to history for many hundreds of years, it only came to light when a teenage boy played hooky from school, according to Eric Metaxas in Is Atheism Dead?

Water still runs through it. On the November day we walked through, the water reached nearly to my knees. (I’m 5′ 9″).

We entered the tunnel from the area known as the City of David.

My thoughts while gingerly wading through?

As I wrote recently, visiting Israel meant running into overlaping layers of time.

One moment, I thought about the Bible passage.

The next, I remembered reading Lynn Austin’s novel Song of Redemption about the building of the tunnel.

Except, then I recalled Bertha Spafford Vester’s story in Our Jerusalem about her adopted brother, Jacob Spafford.

As I pushed through the dark, narrow space lit only by the cell phone of a guy two steps ahead of me, and a tall dad four people back, I did have a thought.

“What on earth was Jacob doing ditching school and wandering through this chilly corridor with only a torch to light the way? more than 100 years ago?”

(Motherhood never really goes away).

Water, of course, flows through it.

The girls hiking with us had to roll their shorts very high. (One girl needed her father to carry her).

It felt a little slippery underfoot, but on that warm day, the water cooled very nicely.

The walls were close enough together, I ran my hands along them to maintain balance.

Water ran underfoot, we plodded ahead, occasionally commenting, but mostly marveling at the smooth walls and building marvel.

Before we knew it, we exited into sunlight: the Pool of Siloam.

Hezekiah’s builders did a fine job.

Tweetables

What is Hezekiah’s Tunnel? Click to Tweet

Slipping through a narrow Jerusalem archaeological wonder full of water on a warm day. Click to Tweet

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How to Write a Book Dedication

How do you write a book dedication?

As in, how do you decide to whom you should dedicate your book?

Maybe it’s hard after you’ve published 100 books–as in, “is there anyone left?”

The first one was easy.

And then, now for me, there are eleven.

How to decide the people for a book dedication?

Actually, I forgot to dedicate my first novella, The Dogtrot Christmas.

I was so excited to receive my first contract, I overlooked the opportunity!

But never again.

I like to match my stories with the people who instigated the idea.

For The Goldrush Christmas–which included sailing to Alaska–the book dedication highlighted the guys I sailed with on the same route.

That’s our tent with a fantastic view!

Like my 1897 characters, our 1991 trip to Skagway included sleeping on the ship’s deck and admiring spectacular views.

I even included a few personal stories (Michelle and six guys go camping to Alaska). Why wouldn’t I dedicate it to my husband, father-in-law, three sons, and one godson?

(And since I didn’t know if I’d be published again, I tossed in my baby grandson!)

The next book dedication for An Inconvenient Gamble, naturally went to my girls.

I’ve acquired more grandchildren since then. I’ll need to write another book!

A trickier book dedication

After clearing the in-house family expectations, it got interesting.

The Yuletide Bride involved music. So I acknowledged my woodwind quintet and the church choir.

They loved it!

The Sunbonnet Bride focused on a small town business and a teacher.

Ha! My extended family–which includes a businessman and a teacher. (I’m not sure any of them read it or cared–but I’ve got it in writing!)

In 2013 I began writing about Oswald and Biddy Chambers–the “big” books in my mind.

A Poppy in Remembrance, based on themes in My Utmost for His Highest, examines the relationship between a father and daughter.

Writing dialogue in that story was effortless.

My husband’s first read caused an eyebrow raise. “Did you just quote verbatim?”

My jaw dropped. I hadn’t seen it.

No wonder the story felt so natural.

After publication, I realized, too, my daughter was the same age as Claire.

That book dedication went to my parents.

To whom does an author dedicate a biography?

It depends.

As I wrote Mrs. Oswald Chambers, I reflected on all the people who contributed to my faith.

Their teaching, love, concern, prayers, and encouragement enabled me to see Oswald and Biddy’s faith in action.

Years of Bible study helped me understand My Utmost for His Highest!

I really couldn’t have written the biography without their input over the course of my life.

(And that included my children!)

I also couldn’t have written the book if Oswald hadn’t spoken about and taught the concepts.

Without Biddy’s editorial work, I’d never have read anything.

The biography’s book dedication took up most of a page!

And for Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in the Desert?

The book dedication for the first woman head of an international missionary organization, became clear early on.

I felt humbled in reading about and then learning of the sacrifices made by so many missionaries throughout history.

I could only dedicate Overflowing Faith to those who have served–often overseas, often running camps, always at personal sacrifice.

Thank you.

Many authors dedicate books to their readers–which is only fair since readers’s enjoyment IS the main reason to write a book.

So, thank you readers.

(Please write a review if you want to see more books! Three sentences–good or bad–is fine!)

Note: if you google “book dedications,” you’ll find many hilarious variations.

If I get to write more books, I may try a few myself.

Tweetables

Who gets to write the book dedication? Click to Tweet

Why dedicate a book? And to who? Click to Tweet

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What is Blasphemy? Are you a Blasphemer?

Blasphemy is an old fashioned word, perhaps, and not a popular concept in 21st-century America.

But what is blasphemy?

Have you, without thinking, been a blasphemer? (One who speaks blasphemously whether on purposes or inadvertantly).

Let’s start with a definition

What is blasphemy?

I’ve always assumed it meant speaking against God.

Which, of course, it does.

Classic definition from Merriam-Webster’s is: “a: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or b: the act of claiming the attributes of a deity“

If that isn’t enough, consider the synonyms: “cursing, sacrilege, descration, impiety, violation.”

Wikipedia says the same thing: “Blasphemy is a speech crime and religious crime usually defined as an utterance that shows contempt, disrespects or insults a deity, an object considered sacred or something considered inviolable.”

Leviticus 24

I read Leviticus 24 today because our church is using The One Year Pray for the Persecuted Bible. (From Voice of the Martyrs–it’s causing me to pray more!)

March 1’s Old Testament reading involved a a half-Jewish, half-Egyptian man who crossed the the Red Sea into the Wilderness with the Israelites, and got into a fight.

As Moses spends Leviticus recounting the specific rules for living that God provided from Mount Sinai, he used this example: “The Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD and cursed.”

According to David Guzik at EnduringWord.com:

The man committed the crime of blasphemy, which is to attack someone – especially God – with your words. It is somewhat like the modern idea of verbal abuse, but especially directed against God. The command against blaspheming God was given in Exodus 22:28.

Leviticus 24:12 EnduringWord.com

Reading through the passage, we learn the man’s assault against God required him to be stoned to death.

That’s how seriously God took the man’s blasphemy.

Fortunately, Leviticus allows forgiveness using a scapegoat.
(WIlliam Holman Hunt–Wikimedia Commons)

In his commentary, Guzik quoted theologian R. Laird Harris to explain why the man’s words were so serious:

“In the Near East the name of a person was bound up intimately with his character, so that in the case of God, blasphemy was in effect an act of repudiation.”

Guzik then added: “It seems that it was common for Egyptians to curse their many gods. The root of this man’s sin was that he considered the God of Israel to be the same as the petty Egyptian gods.”

In this particular case, the man’s blasphemy resulted in him being stoned to death.

That’s how seriously God viewed the man’s insulting words.

What’s the effect of blasphemy?

We live in a time of loose tongues.

People don’t seem to care what they say to who in public–as in social media.

Cynicism and sarcasm abound and often include a dose of two of “shock blasphemy.”

“Don’t LIsten to a Liar” by Gaugin (Wikimedia Commons)

Using ugly words often leads to a deadening of the soul–and a lack of care for those around you who take your words seriously.

I grew up in a society that commonly used the name of the Lord in vain.

As a child, I didn’t realize the adults in my community were blasphemers.

I knew neither the concept or what the words really meant.

When I became a Christian, I had trouble with the name Christ.

Not Jesus, but Jesus Christ–still–brings back venomous swearing words.

It makes me flinch.

(As a result, I prefer to refer to him as Jesus, the Messiah, our Savior. Jesus+Christ distracts me momentarily from the conversation.)

Am I a blasphemer?

Yes. I am.

My past haunts me some days, and even I am stunned by what comes out of my mouth when I’m angry.

But I know the passage above. My hearing catches the swearing and I’m horrified.

Fortunately, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:8, ESV)

“Forgive me, Father,” I whisper, chastened.

And He does.

Photo by P040110PS-0417 (Unsplash)

As a child I learned, “sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you.”

But, that saying is not true.

Words spoken to and about you, can hurt you as they echo throughout your life.

Or, as it says in the Jewish ethical teachings book Sirach 28:17: “The blow of a whip raises a welt, but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.”

Blasphemy, swearing, foul language, affects more people than just ourselves.

As above, it can deaden the soul.

Swearing debilitates the language and often halts reasonable discussion.

God, obviously, doesn’t like it–especially when directed at Him, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit–much less the people He died for.

It also, frankly, deadens the language and demonstrates a lack of vocabular on the part of the speakers.

Long ago, working in a college newsroom, swearing took place all around me. It began to deaden my hearing, too.

I may not have used the language (most of the time), but I stopped hearing it. It didn’t shock anymore.

These days, I’ll read past a couple swear words in a book, but if they continue, I don’t bother to finish the book.

I need to hear better language in my life these days.

What about you?

Tweetables

What is blasphemy? What difference does it make in society? Click to Tweet

Sticks and Stones may break bones, but words can hurt forever. Click to Tweet

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Lettie Cowman’s Legacy of Faith

Lettie Cowman left a legacy of faith when she died on Easter Sunday, 1960.

I knew little about her life when I began researching in 2019.

Many people have heard about Streams in the Desert, the devotional she published in 1924.

That’s 1924.

It hasn’t been out of print since first published nearly 100 years ago.

But, my jaw dropped when I discovered Streams in the Desert is only the hinge of her life.

She was so much more–both before and after–1924.

What is a legacy of faith?

Faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” according to Hebrews 11:1.

A person’s legacy is the mark they leave on the world–whether it’s an inheritance, books, joy, friendships.

A faith legacy is the people we leave behind when we die–who carry our faith forward into, well, eternity.

Sharing an old, old story. (Author photo)

The president of a missionary organization once reminded me that everyone who is a Christian heard the “old, old story,” from someone else.

The Word of God may have spoken to them through reading the Bible.

But most of the time, a legacy of faith comes when someone loves you enough to explain the truth of salvation through Jesus’s death on the cross.

I, personally, am the product of people praying for their descendents. I saw a letter once, written by my grandmother five generations back, praying for those of us who would come.

I’m honored to be a part of that chain–and surprised, as well.

But, I saw it even more clearly while researching Lettie Cowman’s life for my new biography, Overflowing Faith: Streams in the Desert and Lettie Cowman.

Frankly, it didn’t take much digging to learn about the many lives she personally touched.

What kind of a legacy of faith did Lettie leave behind?

Return with me to a research trip in fall, 2019.

I sat on the floor in the One Mission Society (OMS) archives leafing through hundreds of old photographs.

Littered around me were all sorts of pictures: massive groupings before a Bible school; small bands of missionaries; and a rich photo of jubilant adults preparing to step into a canvas baptismal font.

Blurred for security purposes.

All those faces–some in sharp detail, others blurred small in the background– shone with the joy of their new found salvation.

Many people dressed in white and proudly held Bibles. I smiled back, rejoicing in their happiness.

The years spanned 1925 to 1950.

As I mentally reviewed that particular nation’s history, it hit me. Most of these people were dead.

Grim and drastic events destroyed the converts: wars, sieges, invasions, starvation, and misery.

Many of these brothers and sisters were martyred because of Jesus.

Their deaths were a legacy of faith.

My face crumpled that day and tears rose. But the Holy Spirit whispered, “You’ll meet them in heaven one day. You’ll know their names and will rejoice with them.”

How can martyrs be a legacy of faith?

They refused to back down when evil stalked their lands.

Many people–both the nationals and those who came from overseas–died because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Some were beheaded. Others starved.

It still goes on today all over the world.

But as I examined the photos, my mind reminded me on that day, they shone with happiness.

Today they wait in Paradise rejoicing in eternal life because of a woman born on an American prairie farm in 1870.

Lettie Cowman, a contemporary of Laura Ingalls Wilder, seized that same faith in Jesus as a young woman.

For a month or so, she worried her new-found faith might destroy her marriage.

But her husband adored her and with a stony face attended a gospel service with her.

He didn’t react while they walked home afterward through the streets of 1892 Chicago.

But Charles Cowman couldn’t escape his family’s legacy of faith.

That night, he bowed his knees and submitted to the same God Lettie loved.

You could say his martyrdom came after he, too, focused everything on spreading the news of his faith.

Overflowing Faith at Amazon

In his case, it took a heart attack–but from that suffering, Lettie Cowman wrote Streams in the Desert.

How? Why?

How did a farm girl from rural Iowa influence the lives of headhunters, emperors, Laplanders, and countless people of languages and cultures around the globe?

Including her husband.

And why?

What can we learn from her life?

Who was Lettie Cowman?

Overflowing Faith tells the whole story.

Coming June 6, 2023.

Pre-order now at the lowest price ever: $2.99 for an Ebook; $9.99 for a paperback book.

You can read more about Lettie, Streams in the Desert, and the OMS starting here.

Tweetables

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Travel Hacks from an Experienced Traveler

I love travel hacks and I’ve used many over the years!

An experienced traveler, I’ve visited 30 countries on five-ish continents.

For many years, I never flew anywhere without a child on my lap.

(They grew out of that need–eventually.)

I’ve driven across North America nine times, and we’ve lived in six states including Hawai’i.

Kids and/or cats came with us everywhere.

What kind of travel hacks do I have?

Many.

Life Hacks for Travel

I could write a book . . . this is just a sample.

(If headed to Europe, I always start with Rick Steves books).

Have a folder in your email for travel documents and travel information. They’re not the same thing.

Print out and put everything in a folder to carry with you.

Travel documents folder (in email and in hand) includes:

A photocopy of your passport’s pertinent pages: your information, visa information.Any TSA numbers, immunization cards (take a photo), cancellation confirmation emails.All the reservations connected to your trip: auto, plane, hotel, amusement parks, etc.An email describing your travel dates and details (I send a copy to pertinent relatives if they need to find me, or–worse– trace what happened to me.)Phone numbers of people I’ll be meeting on the trip.

The travel information folder in my email includes:

Vienna airport 2022. I wish I’d had a suitcase like this one!Travel ideas I haven’t reserved.Others’ travel information–particularly relatives coming to visit.Destination wedding information.Things to do on my vacation or work trip.Traveling with young Children

This involves plenty of life hacks.

Always carry food and snacks.Let them tote their own backpack full of “entertainment.”For every hour you travel with a toddler, bring a book to read, or fresh small toys.Be prepared to sing songs, tell stories, practice jokes (Here’s a list of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids ).Carry a tennis ball if you have an airport layover. (Find a corner away from people and play fetch.)Consider putting kids in their pajamas if you’re traveling late or overnight.Teach them the words for food they like in a foreign language–if you’re traveling to one.Anyone under five needs a change of clothing.Forgotten Items

My father, who visited more than 100 countries before he died, had travel hacks as well.

Don’t worry if you forget something. You can always buy it there. Visiting grocery stores is an adventure in another language–find it there.Ask at the hotel where to find specialized items–like Tylenol. (Especially on a Sunday in Austria).Purchase forgotten items as souvenirs (Why carry a towel if you can buy one in Hawai’i?)Assume you will be buying a child some item of forgotten clothing.Don’t overdo physical souvenirs. Memories are more important.Think through what documents you’ll need in advance–scan and then email copies to yourself and to someone not traveling with you who knows how to forward emails.If you carry a copy of your passport, the embassy can more quickly issue a new one if needed. Emailing yourself copies of everything (and remembering your password), means all is not lost if your lose your phone!Just before the George Washington Bridge pounce!Travel Hacks for Animals

Traveling with animals can be tricky.

Some places have restrictions on what types of animals you can bring with you.

When we lived in Hawai’i, you could not transport animals in or out of the state during the summer (airplane holds were too hot for animals).

Riding in a car with a loose animal can be dangerous (One cat leapt for the clutch pedal when we crossed the George Washington Bridge–both going to New England and leaving it!).Try to drive early in the morning or late at night.Obviously, bring a cage and use it.Don’t leave an animal in a car–eat outside with it, or leave it in a cage where you can see it from a restaurant.Make sure they’re wearing collars and are micro-chipped.Consider leaving them home unless absolutely necessary.What about luggage?

Our #1 travel hack is everyone gets only one suitcase and one carry-on.

You have to manage your own luggage.You’re responsible if you leave something at home you wanted to bring.Plot what you’re going to wear for each day of the trip.Expect to do laundry if you’re gone for more than a week.On a ten-day trip, plan to do laundry about day five. (Visit a laundromat or send it out.)It’s still cheaper to pay, even ridiculous costs, for laundry than to haul another suitcase.Bring an expandable bag.When the luggage is at home, store smaller pieces inside of large and put a dryer sheet in each.A roller bag is great–but make sure it rolls smoothly.Consider carrying a computer, or other electronics in a backpack as your carryon.Make sure you can carry your own backpack.

Period.

Electronics Travel Hacks?Bring a charger with multiple ports–so you only need to use one plug.If traveling overseas, make sure you have the appropriate electric transformer.If you forget a charger, ask at the hotel’s front desk–they often have “used” ones.Or buy one at the airport.Download videos before you leave–or download the airplane apps before you go.Consider bringing an extra charger for when you’re out.Clear excess photos out of your phone before you leave (into the cloud, onto your computer).Do you really need a computer, E-book reader, phone, and an Ipad?Check with your phone service if you need an international plan if traveling internationally.Check out the Translator apps on your phone.Other things to consider bringing

Travel hacks always include healthy tips

Always have a water bottle–I either reuse one I buy at the airport, or carry a refillable one.You might consider a water filtered straw or bottle.Laundry sheets rather than liquid soap.A small first aid kit.Stamps if you’re mailing postcards to people in the United States (and you’re traveling in the US).More than one credit card.Money belt if you’re uneasy.Photos of your family–to show to people you meet.The very BEST travel hacks?

A spirit of adventure.

Smiles and laughter.

An easy-going attitude.

Patience.

Joy.

Curiosity.

Have a great trip!

Tweetables

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30 countries later, a mom shares travel hacks for easier trips. Click to Tweet

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Israel and Layers of Time

Time and again, I experienced Israel and layers of time in fall 2022.

I walked, rode, and sailed that narrow land in three different dimensions–and realized it even at the time.

THIS was the place where Jesus actually lived (prior to taking up residence in our hearts, of course).

THIS is where events took place that I knew so well.

Jesus walked these streets–and that lake.

He saw those hills.

Amazing.

He breathed that air in the past. I was there in the present.

Today I’m writing in what was then the future.

Curious.

Layers of Time (and ruins) in Capernaum

We’d been in Israel nearly a week before we wandered into Capernaum.

When Roman Emperor Constantine’s mother Helena visited the Holy land, she planted churches on sacred sites.

Capernaum church over Peter’s house.
(Author photo)

One such place was over St. Peter’s home near the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Frankly, the rebuilt church looks like a space ship.

I glanced at the ruins believed to be his home, then turned around.

And gasped.

Here was the synagogue where Jesus began His ministry.

We know this was the place.

Of course, the “current” synagogue ruins were built in the Second century.

This was not the exact spot.

Except, archaeologists dug down–and found the walls of the synagogue where Jesus spoke.

I had to sit down, slightly overcome.

 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.  And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Luke 4:14 ESV

Wait! THE Sea of Galilee?

Later that day, we climbed aboard a boat on the Sea of Galilee.

Looking east over a timeless sea. (author photo)

You know. The water Jesus walked on–more than once!

Indeed, Peter did, too.

From the boat, where we sang, I surveyed the surrounding hills.

He knew those hills. Jesus sailed, walked, and napped on that lake.

Yes. I lifted my eyes to those hills from whence came my Lord.

I thought of Jesus. We sang (not rowing) on that boat headed to shore.

I waded in the water.

And I wondered how I would describe it in my writing–especially when we ate a St. Peter’s Fish lunch!

Layers of Time in Jerusalem

Oh, my. Down the Via dela Rosa–the way of suffering?

Except, it wasn’t really.

The Romans burned, crushed, destroyed, and leveled everything in Jerusalem in AD 70.

They didn’t want to have to deal with these Jews.

Control and power, right?

But the walls feel ancient. Signs mark significant events along the way, and it felt exotic.

(It also was easy to miss a step and fall. Just saying.)

I could picture Jesus carrying that cross so long ago. In 2022, with the shops just returning from COVID shutdown, I sensed a different marketplace from mine back home in the US.

And how would I described it to you?

With many different nationalities and motorscooters coming through, it’s the main thoroughfare of an ancient city only one kilometer square in size.

It’s a colorful bazaar of shops, narrow walks, mosaic walls, and spices.

Until you get to the holiest parts of the city.

The Temple Mount Diorama of Temple Mount AD 33. (Author photo)

I’m thankful we started in the north, traveling through the rolling Galilean hill country, before climbing the hills of ascent to Jerusalem.

Layers of time are everywhere!

The city on the hill is the site of the Temple Mount–the home of the temple–whether Solomon’s or Herod’s.

Only a few people are allowed on the the Temple Mount now. We had to stand in line and go through a metal detector. We were careful about what we wore–long skirts for the women.

From the level mesa, we surveyed the Mount of Olives–where so much happened.

We stood before the Eastern Gate. Jesus entered the area through that gate long ago.

Nothing of Jesus’ era remains other than the views.

The Western Wall

Many people in the west know about the Wailing Wall where Jewish people stand to pray. They slip prayer requests between the massive stones. (I also saw prayer slips between the stones at the Capernaum synagogue).

Wailing wall (Author photo)

I, however, didn’t know the Israelis dug out the rest of the western wall–under the old buildings running north of the Wailing Wall.

We toured there late at night, conscious the Temple Mount of Jesus’ time was long gone.

But here were stones laid by Solomon 2500 years ago. Massive, bigger than any I’d seen before.

 At the king’s command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones. 

1 Kings 5:17 ESV

And there, at one spot, was the closest anyone could get to the site of the Holy of Holies from 500 BC.

Many people stopped to pray–at that spot on the wall

Praying at the closest spot on the Western Wall to the Holy of Holies location. (Wikimedia Commons)

Shocking.

Awe-filled.

Humbling.

The Scriptures are eternal. In that time and place, even that day and now, I remember:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
    a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.”

1 Peter 2:6-7 ESV

He was Risen.

He is Risen.

Alleluia.

He is Risen, indeed.

His presence overflowed the layers of time in Israel: 2000 years ago, six months ago, today.

Thanks be to God.

Tweetables

Israel: living through layers of time. Click to Tweet

Time operates differently in Israel! Click to Tweet

Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in the Desert, a biography comes out June 6.

On pre-sale now, $2.99 as an Ebook; $9.99 for paperback. (audio book, read by me, coming soon).

The post Israel and Layers of Time appeared first on Michelle Ule, Author.

Standing in Line: A Ministry?

What do you do when you’re standing in line?

Read your email?

Scroll through social media?

Complain?

All of the above?

Several years ago, someone challenged me to use the time differently.

“You should talk to people when you’re standing in line. Why not be friendly?”

She was right.

What kept me from talking to others while standing in line?

My mother always talked to people while we stood in line at the grocery store.

I’d squirm as she discussed some personal issue I didn’t think was appropriate. (Even as an eight-year-old).

It only got worse when I towered in height over her during my teenage years.

Other women in my life would chat up anyone–and often tell personal details no one wanted to hear about. (Especially me!).

Standing in line at UCLA once to sell back books, No one spoke to anyone. We all stared resolutely ahead, not making eye contact.

(Other than me. I read The Autobiography of Malcom X–a book my roommate asked me to sell.)

Photo by Melanie Pongratz on UnsplashWhat changed?

In 2017, my community went through devastating wildfires.

5000 homes burned, including the homes of many friends.

In our shell-shocked community, everyone wanted to talk about their experiences.

I started asking folks while standing in line at the grocery store, “How are you doing?”

The stories fell out, sometimes with tears. People needed to air their grief.

The same thing happened in 2020. (Wearing masks), we’d stand far apart but talk about COVID experiences and, alas, yet another horrible fire.

“How are you doing?”

People would tell me.

Standing in line at the Post Office.

Two years ago, the Christmas package mailing line stretched 30 people long. I pulled out my phone to read my book (Not The Autobiography of Malcom X, this time, but interesting enough to keep me occupied!)

But then I noticed the woman beside me was sending her package to Switzerland.

I asked to what town (I have relatives in Switzerland).

It turned out the woman behind me also was sending a package to Switzerland.

When will this line end?
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

They didn’t know each other, but their packages were both destined to the same small town in the Alps!

We laughed and talked about Switzerland all the way to the counter.

Delightful.

This week at the Post Office

“Why do they only have one agent at noon?” the woman behind me asked.

“I know,” I said. “I wouldn’t wait except I can’t get back here for another week. I’m only in the shopping area because I had to buy a baby present who already has outgrown newborn clothes.”

She asked me about my kids, then told me about her grandchildren.

We were off.

We stood in line together for 25 minutes. After awhile, her voice lowered slightly. “My oldest son is bi-polar.”

“I’m so sorry,” I replied. (What else do you say?). “You know, I read a book a number of years ago called The Unquiet Mind by Kay Jamison.”

Her face lit up, “Yes!”

And we discussed what it meant to live with someone who is bipolar. (I had a friend with lots of poigrnant stories.)

By the time we reached the counter, the woman in front of me turned and said. “Thank you. My 18-year-old son was just diagnosed bi-polar. You’ve given me things to think about.”

Who could have guessed that?”

What difference did it make?

When I finally got to the counter, the clerk thanked me.

“For what?”

“Do you hear what’s happening? Everyone is talking in line. Mostly on a day like this, they stand around glaring at me with their arms crossed. That’s not happening today.”

I glanced around and laughed.

Somehow, everyone standing in line was having an animated conversation.

“Thank you, Lord,” I whispered when I pushed through the glass doors to the parking lot.

I, myself, felt lighter and happier–despite a long time spent standing in line.

Try it yourself. Who knows how striking up a conversation rather than staring at a smart phone (or even reading a book), will cheer up an entire room.

I guess standing in line really can be a ministry!

Tweetables

How can standing in line at the post office be a ministry? Click to Tweet

Reasons to talk to strangers while standing in line. Click to Tweet

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Two Faith Building Devotionals for One Century

Two faith-building devotionals appeared in the last century that have never gone out of print.

Lettie Cowman’s Streams in the Desert first appeared January 1, 1924.

Oswald (or Biddy) Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest launched into the world January 1, 1927.

Why yes, the two compilers–Lettie and Biddy–knew each other.

Whether Streams influenced the writing of My Utmost doesn’t really matter.

Both devotionals left their mark from the days they appeared until, well, just this morning.

How are they faith building?

Both Lettie and Biddy compiled the devotionals from a Christian world view and desire to affirm God’s goodness and interaction with readers.

Biddy believed in the spiritual wisdom Oswald Chambers spoke (and that she wrote down in shorthand) over their seven-year marriage.

She spent the rest of her life turning those words into 30 books with his name on the cover.

As Dr. Jed Macosko said, “My Utmost for His Highest was the cream of the crop,” from OC’s writing and teaching.

Biddy circa 1936 (Wheaton College Special Collections)

Lettie Cowman spent years visiting churches on “deputation tours.” She’d pick up the church bulletins, read church-related denominational magazines, and even newspapers with an eye keen for spiritual development.

Lettie had been writing a monthly column in God’s Revivalist Magazine she called it “Streams in the Desert.” Whe she began collating her articles and clippings into one devotional, Streams in the Desert seemed the perfect title.

The readings came out of faith building things she’d written or read in the past.

Was faith building the original point?

Both women were part of Bible Colleges. Biddy served as the “Lady Superintendant,” of the Bible Training College in Clapham Common, London (1911-1915). Inspired by the Bible Training Institute the Cowmans set up in Tokyo, Oswald focused his lectures and speaking on evangelism and Biblical training.

Biddy sat in the back “taking down” everything Oswald said at the BTC, as well as in the Zeitoun YMCA camp outside Cairo, Egypt during World War I. Faith building was the point of almost everything Oswald taught.

Biddy’s explanation for producing and publishing My Utmost for His Highest explained:

“Men return again and again to the few who have mastered the spiritual secret, whose life has been hid with Christ in God. These are the old time religion, hung to the nails of the Cross.” (Robert Murray McCheyne).

It is because it is a felt that the author is one to whose teaching men will return, that this book [My Utmost for His Highest] has been prepared, and it is sent out with the prayer that day by day the messages may continue to bring the quickening life and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”

My Utmost for His Highest foreword

Lettie circa 1936 (OMS Archives)

Over seven years, Lettie Cowman desperately sought sayings, teachings, prayers, and encouragement for her dying husband. After penning about ideas she found into affirming articles, she shaped them into the readings for a year-long devotional.

Her “personal word,” explained:

In the pathway of faith we come to learn that the Lord’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways our ways. . . . Although circumstances may bring us into the place of death, that need not spell disaster–for if we trust in the Lord and wait patiently, that simply provides the occasion for the display of His almight power.”

Foreword Streams in the Desert

How did they influence readers?

One college speaker likened My Utmost for His Highest to “graduate level Christianity.”

An article on Beliefnet.com summed it up well:

“Utmost” has been updated several times, but it has retained its power to draw people closer to God. Each day the book offers Chambers’ thoughts on complex themes such as redemption, waiting on God, and preaching the Gospel.”

Brother Andrew smuggled copies over European borders.

Streams in the Desert, born out of grief, is not only focused on that subject, but on turning the reader to a fully understanding of God’s love for them.

After Chinese bandits took away missionary Rudolf Bosshardt’s Bible, they left him with a nondescript “battered book,” called Streams in the Desert.

Deprived of human support, Alfred could only depend on God. Though he had no Bible, years of reading and studying the book and memorizing verses had left him with the stored wealth of much of its teaching and stories. . . . Some of these were contained also in the one devotional book which he still had. Living up to its title, Streams in the Desert refreshed him again, and again.”

Bosshardt: A Biography by Jean Watson p. 122

For years, Streams in the Desert opened doors for Lettie Cowman to speak, set up a Bible school, or bless an emperor.

Prisoners of War in World War II wrote to the authors thanking Biddy and Lettie for providing a devotional that encouraged them.

Both devotionals encourage readers into a deeper walk with God

It’s been my honor to write about both Biddy Chambers and Lettie Cowman.

Tweetables

What were the most important faith building devotionals of the last century? Why? Click to Tweet

Why are My Utmost for His Highest and Streams in the Desert still effective 96 years later? Click to Tweet

Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional

Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in the Desert

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Maundy Thursday after an Israel Visit

Maundy Thursday feels different this year after we visited Israel last year.

When I think about Maundy Thursday, I’m back on Mount Olivet looking at the sweeping view.

That day, I asked our guide to point out the routes Jesus and his disciples took that day.

“Ah, excellent question.” He swept his hand, indicating where the men began, traveled, returned, and ended.

Jerusalem, physically, is much smaller than I imagined.

Jesus was busy during Holy Week

As the culmination of three years of ministry, Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem in a time of heightened tension.

The Sanhedrin wanted Jesus to vanish–to do away with him for good.

The Romans didn’t really care who was involved. They always wanted order in their provinces.

I’ve written about Holy Week events here and here.

Today, I’m focusing on Maundy Thursday, the day everything came to a head and the “bad guys” acted.

In the photo below, taken from the top of the Mount of Olives, I’ve marked four strategic sites where we know Jesus spent time that day.

1=Eastern Gate; 2=Site of the Temple (Now Dome on the Rock); 3=Last supper site; 4=Garden of Gethsemane. Viewed from Mt. of Olives
(Wikimedia Commons)First thing Thursday morning

It’s not clear where Jesus and his disciples spent the night.

Some believe they slept in Bethphage, a short walk east of the Mount of Olives. (Or basically behind the location of the above photograph).

Others believe the men slept in a grotto at Gethsemane (which means “oil press” in Hebrew).

That morning the disciples headed into the area now called “old town” in Jerusalem, by walking across the Kidron Valley through the Eastern Gate onto the Temple Mount.

Prophecy tells us Jesus will return through the Eastern Gate (or Golden Gate) someday.

Closed by the Muslims in 810, reopened in 1102 by the Crusaders, it was walled up by Saladin after regaining Jerusalem in 1187. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilt it together with the city walls, but walled it up in 1541, and it stayed that way.

Wikipedia

Israel Museum diorama of 33 AD Jerusalem. Eastern Gate in the foreground (1 in Mt. of Olives panorama )
opposite the entrance to the Temple (2 in Mt. of Olives panorama).
(Author photo)During the daytime

None of the four gospels recount Jesus’ activities that day–which was the day before Passover.

Judas sought out the Temple authorities and volunteered to betray Jesus that night.

The Sanhedrin already plotted to get rid of Jesus of Nazareth, but may not have known where to find Him that day.

Perhaps Jesus remained outside of the walled Temple Mount to pray about what He knew would come.

The disciples were busy (Luke 22:10-14) preparing for the Passover feast that night. Jesus sent two of them

into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,  and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 

Luke 22

What does Maundy Thursday mean?

Middle English maunde “ceremony of washing the feet of the poor on the Thursday before Easter,” from early French mandé (same meaning), from Latin mandatum “command”; so called from Jesus’ words “A new Commandment I give to you …” in John 13:34 (RSV) after he washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper.

Thank you, Merrian Webster Dictionary.

That’s the Last Supper.

Passover actually was the next day, so this technically was not the traditional Passover sedar meal.

But it included elements of the sedar.

Jesus himself said that night, “ I tell you I will not eat it [the Passover meal] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:16)

Judas departed to betray Jesus before Jesus spoke about how much He loved His people–including those who lived long after (you and me).

This 2000 year old olive tree would have been a sapling! (Author photo)

The men sang a hymn and then left the Upper Room for a time of prayer back in the Garden of Gethsemane.

How did it end on Maundy Thursday?

In the “olive press” garden under an olive tree.

His sleepy disciples couldn’t stay awake, so Jesus prayed alone.

His agony was so great, he sweated blood.

The Roman Catholic Church of All Nations sits beside the garden.

Also known as the Basilica of Agony, visitors can touch the stone on which legend says Jesus’ blood spilled in prayer.

That’s my hand touching it.

Did I feel anything?

Not inparticular beyond the awe-filled wonder that Jesus prayed nearby that dreadful night.

Here, or not far away.

Standing and kneeling in the places where Jesus actually moved felt overwhelming.

I was at the place–give or take a few hundred feet–where these events took place.

Mind and soul-boggling!

You know how the night ended–a company of soldiers, a kiss of betrayal, a servant lost his ear.

In Jesus’ final act of mercy and love–he returned the servant’s ear to where it belonged: healed.

Holy week, Maundy Thursday, and Easter fill me with awe after an Israel visit.

It all happened. Right there.

A blessed Easter to you all. He is risen, indeed!

Tweetables

Why Maundy Thursdays feels different following a trip to Israel. Click to Tweet

What happened on Maundy Thursday in AD 33 Jerusalem? Click to Tweet

Available for PRE-SALE here

In other news, my long-awaited biography, Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in the Desert, is now on PRE-sale in the KINDLE edition for the lowest ever price of $2.99

The book and audiobook (read by me), will be available in MAY.

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