Jordan River: Coldest baptism

It was, and probably would remain, the coldest baptism I have ever done. We did it at Yardenit – the baptismal site of the Jordan River. In the days leading to the baptism the unusually cold weather led me to give a way out for the parents of the baptism candidates, You know the weather is extremely cold and you may be concerned for your children. Think about it, if you do not want to go ahead with it, let me know. We can do it back in Singapore, in warmer waters. Later I was told, The children want to go ahead with it. I had no choice then. So after donning swimming tights and baptism robes we took some photos, went down the steps into the river, and pastor Thomas and I baptized them in the fastest speed ever recorded. Remarkably, I was cold when outside, but in the waters I felt unusually “uncold”. This was in 13th December 2013 in the cold and holy land.

Ps Kenny, Ps Thomas and the 5 baptism candidates
Ps Kenny, Ps Thomas and the 5 baptism candidates
The holding area is by the bank of the river and well fenced
The holding area is by the bank of the river and well fenced
Brave boy.
Brave boy.
Brave girl
Brave girl
Go for it Aaron
Go for it Aaron
After baptism the parents quickly put on jackets on their kids except one kid
After baptism the parents quickly put on jackets on their kids except one kid
After its all done and with a hot beverage we are ready to leave
After its all done and with a hot beverage we were ready to leave
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Cana: a renewed commitment to faithful marriage

There is no magic nor a special blessing about doing a renewal of commitment to marriage in Cana. Jesus graced a wedding party at Cana and did a great miracle of changing water to wine. However this does not mean your renewed marriage will turn from water to wine. However doing a renewal of commitment can be memorable, special and may mark a milestone for marriages that have gone through some turbulence, or have turned from wine to water. I led the service in the church: a song, a short exhortation, and some statements of renewed commitment, and a prayer of blessing. Then it was photo taking time! (All photos: Euhan)

Giving the exhortation to all the married couples.
Giving the exhortation to all the married couples.
Group photo of married couples that renewed their marriage commitment.
Group photo of married couples that renewed their marriage commitment.
We did it too.
We did it too.
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Near Mount Hermon and Golan Heights

Near the Banias, remnants of the pagan temple of Pan, located near Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, we stood where it is claimed Peter declared, You are the Christ the Son of the living God in one breath, and in another he insisted that Jesus must not take the Calvary road. Lord, help me to see that the cross is not to be shunned but to be accepted with a Not my will, but Yours be done”. This was in December 2013. Wonderful memories.

Worship of Pan at the cavernous opening
Worship of Pan at the cavernous opening
One of the top 20 wedding photographers, Eirik of Eirik Photography.
One of Singapore’s top 20 wedding photographers from Eirik Photography.
Gopher?
Gopher?
From other churches but one in Spirit.
From other churches but one in Spirit.

 

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Capernaum

The weather got better by the time we reached Capernaum, and our energy inched up despite the overnight flight from Singapore. This hometown of Peter and Andrew, and James and John, was a small fishing village on the northern edge of the Galilee lake. It became the staging area for Jesus’ ministry in that province. Many mighty miracles were done here but people were resistant.

The ruins of Capernaum
The ruins of Capernaum
It was a pleasure to have young people with us
It was a pleasure to have young people with us
The young at heart. Some of the ladies.
The young at heart. Some of the ladies.
They call Capernaum "the town of Jesus"
They call Capernaum “the town of Jesus”

 

 

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Remembering the Holy Land visit of 2013

I was looking at some old photos of the holy land trip I led in December of 2013. It was unforgettable. It was unexpectedly cold. One of the coldest in the recent history of Israel. It snowed heavily in Jerusalem. And here in Caesarea by the Sea I faced the forebodings of a freeze. I worried that the itinerary would be curtailed.

Snowed over and delayed at Istanbul International Airport
Snowed over and delayed at Istanbul Artaturk Airport
Caesarea by the sea was wild and captivating.
Caesarea by the sea was wild and captivating.
It was unusually cold and we were worried certain places in our itinerary may be closed.
It was unusually cold and we were worried certain places in our itinerary may be closed.
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