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1031 Red Rose (indicate
A, B or C when ordering)
Israel - A perfect red rose blooms at Kibbutz Maale Hahamishah.
Israel is the largest exporter of flowers to Europe, and the blossom that
best sends a message of love is a red rose.
In the New Testament, the Greek language has three words for love. First,
there is eros love (where we get the English word erotic)
that emphasizes passion. Second, is phileo love which is a
brotherly love, fondness, a love of the heart. And third, there is agape
love. Agape is a love of the will, an unbreakable bond and commitment
- the kind of love promised between a husband and wife or between the
Lord and His Bride, the Church. I Corinthians 13:4-8 describes
love: it is kind, patient, not jealous, rejoices with the truth; it
bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. Love never fails.
The apostle goes on to say (v. 13) that among the virtues of faith,
hope, and love, the greatest of these is love. Such love for one another
and for God is possible only because He first loved us (I John
4:19). God is love.
Three Scripture choices with this photo:
1031-A I Corinthians 13:4-8
1031-B I Corinthians 13:13
1031-C I John 4:19
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Photographer: Vincent Stuker
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1032 Garden Tomb (indicate
A, B, or C when ordering)
Jerusalem - The Garden Tomb is located just a bit north of today’s Old
City walls; it is a peaceful, beautiful garden site. Though many archeologists
have concluded this is not a first century tomb, the site still offers
a good look at the type of tomb in which the Lord Jesus was buried: The
tomb is not a natural cave but was hewn from the stone hillside, which
only a rich man could have afforded. Only one resting place had been finished,
implying that it was a new tomb. It has a trough across the front where
a large, round, flat stone would have been rolled to seal the entrance
(the original opening was only half the height that it is today, causing
one to have to stoop to look in). Whether the Garden Tomb or the gilded,
incense-filled Holy Sepulchre might be the actual tomb of Jesus is not
the really the issue. The Bible says His tomb is EMPTY! The RESURRECTION
is the key point of all Christian faith.
Three Scripture choices with this photo:
1032-A He is not here, for He
has risen, just as He said. Matthew 28:6
1032-B But when this perishable
will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality,
then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up
in victory. O death, where is your vicotory? O death, where is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55
1032-C For Thou wilt not abandon
my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.
Thou wilt make known to Me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness
of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:10-11
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1033 Path through the Forest
Israel - Following a path through the thick forest in Hula Valley, you
cannot see where the next turn will take you – to a beautiful waterfall
or an ancient Roman swimming pool built right into the cold, rushing Banyas
River. Eventually, the path leads to Caesarea Philippi, (see Matthew 16:13-20).
The path through the forest can be muddy, slippery, and filled with rocks
and tree roots. Thus, this smooth, level section crossing the river is
a welcome blessing for a weary hiker. Isn’t that a lot like life? Circumstances
create the ups and downs of life’s uncertain path. But God has gone ahead
of us and prepared a smooth, level path through the difficult terrain
by giving us His Word and His loving, guiding Spirit. God will never lead
us into evil nor tempt us to sin. Regardless of life’s path, the Lord’s
Way is always the true course for our spiritual well being and peace.
Make me know Thy ways, O Lord; Teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy
truth and teach me, For Thou art the God of my salvation. – Ps.
25:4-5
(See also Ps. 27:11, Ps. 119:105, and Isaiah 26:7)
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