Many people go to Bethlehem and the 'Holy Lands' to visit the churches, Biblical locations and landmarks, as we did in the Spring of 2006. While these places are unique, special, and, at times, awe-inspiring, we have realized that they are not much more than stones - dead stones.
There is much more to the 'Holy Land' than these dead stones. You may have to look a little harder, dig a little deeper, or go off the beaten path to find these other stones that we speak of but they are there. They are always there...just waiting for you to find them before they turn back to dust. They may not have a church built on them designating them as a 'Holy site' or have a book written about them explaining their history, worth, and significance but these other stones are more valuable to the Lord than any historic religious monument.
The Lord knows already knows their history because He created them in His image. He already knows their worth because He loves them with His grace. And He already knows their significance because He has called them for His purpose.
These are the living stones of Bethlehem and the 'Holy Lands' - often forgotten and frequently overlooked in the shadows of the glamorous churches that many travel from all over the world to see. They are the stones that have been withered and beaten over time by the weather of life - who just need a caring and Christ-like hand to polish them so that God may be reflected in their image. These are the stones that should be preserved, loved, and served by followers of Christ. They are the stones designated as 'Holy Sites' by the Lord. And these are the stones that dwell in the 'Holy Land' that we should be visiting.
While going to Bethlehem and the 'Holy Land' to see the Biblical sites and to walk in the footsteps of Christ is a wonderful experience, we all need to remember to be walking in the foosteps of Christ every day whether in Bethlehem or Denver. These footsteps of Christ will always lead us down the road less traveled to the living stones - the precious souls that He loves, found all over the world.
For us, at this time in our lives, these footsteps of Christ lead us to minister to some living stones in Bethlehem, known as Palestinian Christians. Not all are called to serve on a foreign mission field, as we are, but all are called to serve as missionaries. Your neighbor is a living stone...your co-worker is a living stone...your mother, father, sisters and brothers are living stones...you are a living stone.
Christ's followers are called to Love All and Serve All in His name. Pray that we will never forget the living stones by being distracted by the dead ones.
Love and Prayers,
Misty (& Aaron) Laenger
There is much more to the 'Holy Land' than these dead stones. You may have to look a little harder, dig a little deeper, or go off the beaten path to find these other stones that we speak of but they are there. They are always there...just waiting for you to find them before they turn back to dust. They may not have a church built on them designating them as a 'Holy site' or have a book written about them explaining their history, worth, and significance but these other stones are more valuable to the Lord than any historic religious monument.
The Lord knows already knows their history because He created them in His image. He already knows their worth because He loves them with His grace. And He already knows their significance because He has called them for His purpose.
These are the living stones of Bethlehem and the 'Holy Lands' - often forgotten and frequently overlooked in the shadows of the glamorous churches that many travel from all over the world to see. They are the stones that have been withered and beaten over time by the weather of life - who just need a caring and Christ-like hand to polish them so that God may be reflected in their image. These are the stones that should be preserved, loved, and served by followers of Christ. They are the stones designated as 'Holy Sites' by the Lord. And these are the stones that dwell in the 'Holy Land' that we should be visiting.
While going to Bethlehem and the 'Holy Land' to see the Biblical sites and to walk in the footsteps of Christ is a wonderful experience, we all need to remember to be walking in the foosteps of Christ every day whether in Bethlehem or Denver. These footsteps of Christ will always lead us down the road less traveled to the living stones - the precious souls that He loves, found all over the world.
For us, at this time in our lives, these footsteps of Christ lead us to minister to some living stones in Bethlehem, known as Palestinian Christians. Not all are called to serve on a foreign mission field, as we are, but all are called to serve as missionaries. Your neighbor is a living stone...your co-worker is a living stone...your mother, father, sisters and brothers are living stones...you are a living stone.
Christ's followers are called to Love All and Serve All in His name. Pray that we will never forget the living stones by being distracted by the dead ones.
Love and Prayers,
Misty (& Aaron) Laenger
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