Sacred place where Our Lord Jesus was born! In the grotto beneath the altar of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem!

Biblical Moment 8: In Bethlehem Visiting the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was Born!

Luke 2:4-7:   “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Extraordinary day crossing into Palestine and walking a couple of miles through Bethlehem up to the Church of the Nativity… going into the Nativity Grotto under the altar and seeing the exact spot where Jesus was born and a few feet away the manger… right after witnessing the Noon Blessing! Al-le-lu-ia!

The exact spot in the Nativity Grotto where Jesus was born!

Through the door I went that led from the Casa Nova Franciscan House for Pilgrims to the Churches of St. Catherine and the Nativity. Without really thinking or plotting out a course I found myself at the opening of the grotto or the small cave beneath the Nativity altar where Jesus was born. I went in only to be stopped by a man with a hand that looks like the stop signs in Israel. Wait ten minutes he said as I inched closer down the shaft to Jesus.

I quickly realized that a Noon blessing ceremony was about to take place so I went to the video and captured it timing out my 5-minute timer twice and then shot a third depicting their exit through the tiny door at the end of the cavern that I would wonder about a bit later.

CLICK HERE for Part 1 of 3 of the VIDEO of the Noon Nativity Blessing!

CLICK HERE for Part 2 of 3 of the VIDEO of the Noon Nativity Blessing!

CLICK HERE for Part 3 of 3 of the VIDEO of the Noon Nativity Blessing!

Another Prayer of Smiles & Joy at the Manger, about 10 feet from the spot where Jesus was born in the Nativity Grotto under the altar in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine!

I was first in and all in to the exact spot where Jesus was born over 2,000 years ago. Like my Mom & Dad’s passing’s it was a chilling experience yet with a deep-hearted joy that all is good with all aspects of our God-created lives. This was pure joy and full acceptance and belief that our Savior was born right here and lived to change the world in conjunction with The Holy Spirit as directed by God. The manger area was no more than ten feet away and it too was a spiritual experience to see!

After taking more than my fair share of time in the grotto where Jesus was born I emerged to the beautiful altar of the Church of the Nativity. There I lit a candle rejoicing in the Lord’s upcoming birth and found a nook to journal a bit and read my Bible. Then I went back and thanked Lourdes and Mahmoud. Even though they do not know one another they knew me and my Splendid Spiritual Self through their Splendid Spiritual Selves and helped me along in my spiritual journey. I would see them both again on Christmas.

CLICK HERE for the entire Day 6 Experience including Calvary and the Empty Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City!

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Biblical Moment 9: Visiting Calvary in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City…

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Calvary in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Christ died on the Cross for our sins…

Bit of a strange day being where Jesus was born, where he died, and where he rose from the dead. My emotions were all over the place from the moment I woke up with anticipation to the moment I fell asleep with joy and comfort. Yet there were deep moments of sadness being at Golgatha in between His Birth in Bethlehem and His Resurrection downstairs and not too far away in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher contains the last five Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa within the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem.

When you first enter this magnificent huge Church (really a Church of Churches) there is this large mural depicting Christ being taken down from the Cross and carried to the large slab of rock that is sitting right in front of the mural.

Both the mural and the large slab of rock are strategically placed between the Cross at Calvary where Jesus died which is up a steep flight of stairs to the right and the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea where Jesus was laid to rest and was resurrected.

Tomb of Adam directly below the Calvary Cross…

One thing I learned and is shown in the pictures below is that the tomb of Adam laid directly beneath the Calvary Cross. I was told that as Jesus was dying on the Cross a drop of His Blood fell down through the cracks in the rock and fell upon the skull of Adam thereby reconciling sin all the way back to the beginning of humankind.

I am still trying to find the biblical reference so if you are enlightened please enlighten me.

1 Peter 2:24-25: “He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.”

Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.”

Hope always rises up in the Light above the Holy Sepulchre, the Empty Tomb of our Risen Lord & savior Jesus Christ!

I guess we call it Good Friday because all hopefully turns out well come Sunday after the Saturday Sabbath… there is light radiating above the Holy Sepulcher, the Empty Tomb… but at Calvary all looks bleak looking inwardly and looking outwardly to this world we live in.

Tomorrow and the next day will be a new day!

The entirety of Jesus’ Passion, the Via Dolorosa, the walk to Calvary where he was crucified and died on the Cross on Good Friday is covered in a later Biblical Moment.

CLICK HERE for the Biblical Moment—The Passion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday.

CLICK HERE for the entire Day 6 Experience including Calvary and the Empty Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City!

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Biblical Moment 10: Celebrating the Easter Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Empty Holy Sepulchre!

John 11:25-26: “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Birthplace, Manger, Baby Jesus, and Christmas Tree from Bethlehem; Calvary and Empty Tomb with Risen Lord Above at Chiurch of the Holy Speulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem (From Lower Left Corner Clockwise)

Much has been written on Day 6 of my Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine!

Suffice it to say that the day started with the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem; moved to the Old City to witness the death of Jesus on the Cross for our sins at Golgatha; and ended joyously with the Easter Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

The tomb was indeed empty and housed me for a good 15 minutes or so of contemplation, prayer, and joyous celebration!

The bus from Bethlehem dropped me off near the Damascus Gate of the Old City. After a piece of AFC (Arab Fried Chicken) and some more charge for me and my phone I decided that it is time for me to enter the Old City.

I head through the Damascus Gate seeking the Church of the Holy Sepulcher because that is what Christians do. We seek the Alpha and the Omega, the birth and death of Jesus and know that the Omega becomes the Alpha, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ we have new life now and for all of eternity. Glory to God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit Forever.

I sought and I found the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Moments later I found myself in the tomb with Jesus where he died and was resurrected. No lines, no wait, almost as if it was pre-destined. Though we do not know the hour of our death I imagine it will be something like the day I had today. Only closeness, human and spiritual freedom and completeness forever.

Here is what I wrote the following Easter:

Al-le-lu-ia! The Tomb is Empty! The Lord Jesus has Risen!

Al-le-lu-ia! Happy Easter Everyone!

My first full day in Jerusalem on the month-long Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine, the 18th of December last year, I took a bus to Checkpoint 300, crossed into Palestine, and walked two miles through Bethlehem up to the Church of the Nativity. Blessed was I to enter the grotto underneath the altar where Jesus was born and to witness the Noon Ceremony.

Later that same day in the evening I took the bus back to the Old City and went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the last five Stations of the Cross are located. It was late in the evening almost time for the Church to close for the night.

Empty Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Christ was resurrected from the dead. Note the Risen Lord Above! Alleluia!

From the Cross on Golgotha (Calvary) upstairs I went downstairs past the Stone of the Anointing (and the large mural depicting him being taken down from the Cross) to the Empty Tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea where the crucified body of Jesus was laid to rest. The very Tomb from which Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was resurrected on Easter Sunday!

There was no line, only an attending priest seated outside this stand-alone small building called an Aedicula. Respectfully I entered the Aedicula, first to a small room called the ante-chamber and then through a small opening into the Holy Sepulcher or Tomb of Jesus itself. There I knelt, lighted a candle of gratitude for all my ancestors passing along to me this Christian faith, especially my Mom and Dad, and prayed a prayer of gratitude with hope of enlightenment for the rest of my life.

Not knowing any better, and being just me, I stayed in there for 14 minutes and took 40 pictures, until the priest came in and guided me outside. During the time in the Holy Sepulcher of Jesus I felt an amazing sense of peace> How could one not being at the very place where Jesus was resurrected by God according to Scriptures. I had my Family Bible with me and also felt strongly the presence of The Holy Spirit. I imagine, God Willing, that I will feel and will have the same sense of peace and sense of spiritual being the day that I pass into Eternal Life.

Here are the 40 pictures in ordered sequence with two taken of me praying by another pilgrim… I hope sharing these pictures and this experience brings all closer to our Resurrected and Living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Our Father, and The Holy Spirit. Amen! Al-le-lu-ia the Lord has risen! Al-le-lu-ia!

John 11:25-26: “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 40 Pics; 4-20-19)

Comment Highlights:

Praying inside the Empty Tomb, for myself, family, friends, & strangers… for peace in our world!

Maria Isabel McIntyre: Beautiful pictures. I enjoyed them very much! How special to have the opportunity to go there during Christmas!

Roger Alcerro: Felicidades por su viaje a tierra Santa, recuerdos lindos de lo que vivió y padeció nuestro Señor Jesucristo.

Roger Alcerro: Congratulations on your trip to the holy land, beautiful memories of what lived and suffered our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heidi Moya: Thank you ? ❤️? and Happy Easter – I was there many years ago but I was at an age that couldn’t even begin to articulate the glory and exceptional depiction as you so eloquently did. You brought it to life, Andy❤️?❤️

Scott Santos: Wow, absolutely amazing… thanks for sharing

Valerie Tidwell: Andy beautiful love the photos.

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Biblical Moment 11: Simon the Tanner’s House in Jaffa; Saint Peter’s Vision of Human Worldwide Unity!

Day 7: Biblical Moment No. 11 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine… visiting Simon The Tanner’s house in Jaffa (called Joppa in the Bible). It is here in Jaffa that Peter while staying at Simon the Tanner’s home that he receives a Vision of the Spirit that he later interprets in Caesarea that all people, Gentiles included, are welcome and eligible for the Salvation of the Lord…

The references in the Scriptures to Simon the Tanner’s house in Joppa (Jaffa today):

And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon. Acts 9: 43 (NASB)

Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea. Acts 10: 5-6 (NASB)

On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop (of Simon the Tanner’s house) about the sixth hour to pray. Acts 10: 9

Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well-spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. Acts 10: 17-23 (NASB)

CLICK HERE to see GOD’s Revelation for Saint Peter in Caesarea with Cornelius!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 40 Pics; 1-13-19)

Somebody lives in Simon the Tanner’s house today… does God the Father, God The Holy Spirit, and God The Son Jesus Christ live inside you right now?

Biblical Moment 12: Jonah’s Disobedience, Repentance, & Ninevah’s Freedom!

Day 7: Biblical Moment No. 12 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine… familiar book and story of the Bible began in Jaffa (called Joppa in the Bible)… we all know how that one turned out… best to do as the Lord commands from the get-go! The entire 4-chapter book of Jonah is presented here with the reference to Jaffa (Joppa) in Verse 1:3 (NASB).

Book of Jonah:

Jonah’s Disobedience

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

4 The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up. 5 Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep. 6 So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.”

7 Each man said to his mate, “Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us.” So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” 9 He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.”

10 Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” 13 However, the men rowed desperately to return to land but they could not, for the sea was becoming even stormier against them. 14 Then they called on the Lord and said, “We earnestly pray, O Lord, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O Lord, have done as You have pleased.”

15 So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.

17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah’s Prayer

2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said,

“I called out of my distress to the Lord,

And He answered me.

I cried for help from the depth of Sheol;

You heard my voice.

3 “For You had cast me into the deep,

Into the heart of the seas,

And the current engulfed me.

All Your breakers and billows passed over me.

4 “So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight.

Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’

5 “Water encompassed me to the point of death.

The great deep engulfed me,

Weeds were wrapped around my head.

6 “I descended to the roots of the mountains.

The earth with its bars was around me forever,

But You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.

7 “While I was fainting away,

I remembered the Lord,

And my prayer came to You,

Into Your holy temple.

8 “Those who regard vain idols

Forsake their faithfulness,

9 But I will sacrifice to You

With the voice of thanksgiving.

That which I have vowed I will pay.

Salvation is from the Lord.”

10 Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.

Nineveh Repents

3 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ walk. 4 Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

5 Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. 6 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes.

7 He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. 8 But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. 9 Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”

10 When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.

Jonah’s Displeasure Rebuked

4 But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.” 4 The Lord said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”

5 Then Jonah went out from the city and sat east of it. There he made a shelter for himself and sat under it in the shade until he could see what would happen in the city. 6 So the Lord God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant. 7 But God appointed a worm when dawn came the next day and it attacked the plant and it withered. 8 When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.”

9 Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.” 10 Then the Lord said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. 11 Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 9 Pics; 1-13-19)

Biblical Moment 13: Church of the Annunciation: Celebrating the Virgin Mary!!!

Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth…

Day 8: Biblical Moment No. 13 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine… visiting the Church of the Annunciation where the Angel Gabriel inform the Virgin Mary that she would become the Mother of the Son of God and she accepted God’s Will… immersed in the spirituality, inspiration, & obedience of the Virgin Mary…. Here are the Scriptures from Luke & Matthew:

Jesus’ Birth Foretold Luke 1: 26-38 (NASB): “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

Altar where Mary lived amd where the Angel Gabriel informed her that she would become the Mother of the Son of God.

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Praying to the Virgin Mary in the lower level of the Church of the Annunciation!

And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Conception and Birth of Jesus Matthew 1:18-25 (NASB)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

One of many, many beautiful artworks of the Virgin Mary from around the world!

22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 40 Pics; 1-14-19)

Comment Highlights:

Diane Mogannam Straetker: I loved this church!

Shirley Moore: Beautiful Church!!

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Biblical Moment 14: Jesus Declares Scriptures Fulfilled; I Am the One Isaias Prophesied!

Biblical Moment No. 14 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine… early in the ministry of Jesus after being baptized by John and tempted by the devil… Jesus in the Synagogue in Nazareth utilizes the reading from the Prophet Isaias in the Old Testament to reveal that He is the Messiah that Isaias prophesied…

Reading in the Synagogue in Nazareth:

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written (Reference Isaias 61:1-3),

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.

He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set free those who are oppressed,

To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

The Reaction of the People:

And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Jesus Speaks to the People:

And He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.

But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

The People Attack Jesus:

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way. (Luke 4:16-30).

Reference: Isaias 61:1-3

The Mission of Christ:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

Because the Lord has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to captives

And freedom to prisoners;

To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

To grant those who mourn in Zion,

Giving them a garland instead of ashes,

The oil of gladness instead of mourning,

The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 36 Pics, 1-1-2019)

Comment Highlights:

Barbara Helfer: Awesome post! Happy New Year

Melissa Teske: Thanks for sharing – very moving

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 36 Pics; 1-1-2019)

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Biblical Moment 15: Celebrating Jesus’ Miracle at the Wedding Church of Cana!

Day 8: Biblical Moment No. 15 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine… visiting the Wedding Church of Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine…. here are the Scriptures from John:

Miracle at Cana

John 2:1-11: “On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him.

When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 36 Pics; 1-14-19)

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A sign of God’s Covenant with US! A rainbow over the Sea of Galilee!

Biblical Moment No. 16 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine!

A Sign of God’s Covenant with Us: A Rainbow Over the Sea of Galilee!

Genesis 9:13,14 & 16:   “I do set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud… And the rainbow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.”

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 1 Video; 12-20-18)

Brendan Sweeney: I hear they have a great all you can eat fish fry

Andy Reistetter: Yeah, the fish are jumping in the boat and there is a great side of bread too! Merry Christmas my friend! Happy 2019!

CLICK HERE for Video of Rainbow over the Sea of Galilee—God’s Covenant with US!

A sign of God’s Covenant with US! A rainbow over the Sea of Galilee!

Biblical Moment 21: Being Baptized in the Jordan River at Yardenit by Pastor Komolate!

Biblical Moment No. 21 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine (don’t miss the Scriptures below)…

Coming down into Tiberias, a rainbow appeared over the Sea of Galilee to greet me to this historic and spiritual place!

Seeing the rainbow as a sign of God’s renewed covenant with me I figured that it was time to renew my baptismal commitment to Him, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit and be baptized in the Jordan River at nearby Yardenit.

Baptized in the Jordan River at Yardenit by Pastor Komolate of Nigeria! Alleluia!

A special thank you to Pastor Komolate of Nigeria for taking the time to baptize me at closing time while a bus load of pilgrims waited for him! Back to Haifa to celebrate a great day of life on the festive Yafe Nof Street! TROML Baby (an exclamation of joy)!

We can be baptized anywhere at any time… all that is needed is an open heart and an open mind… and a willingness to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and leave sin behind… to live in the Law of God and the Love of Jesus as your Splendid Spiritual Self in The Holy Spirit as best you can as a human being in this secular world…

Here are the Scriptures of this Biblical Moment…

John Proclaims the Savior’s Arrival: “John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:16

John Exalts Christ: “John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:27-30

The moment of peace & tranquility of my Jordan River Baptism will always be with me!

The Baptism of Jesus: Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17

The Third Prediction of the Passion: “But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.” Mark 10:38-39

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