PASTOR BILL ANDRICK'S TRIP TO ISRAEL

I have not been to Israel, but many friends have told me how spiritually enlightening it was for them. One of these friends is Bill Andrick, an engineer and the pastor of St. James Church at Crossroads in Navarre, Ohio. I’ve asked him a few questions to help us understand the significance of the trip.

You said you went to Israel in a more peaceful time. When was that?

My wife Dianne and I went to Israel from April 27 to May 7, 2013.  It coincided with our 45^th wedding anniversary. We went with a church group from Boone, NC on Templeton Tours.

Would you go back this year or at least sometime in the future, based on safety concerns? 

I would go back anytime.  Israel is one of the safest places on the planet.  It is also the only real democracy in the Middle East.  It is truly multi-cultural with Jews, Christians, Arabs, Muslims, Kurds, and assorted other ethnicities all living and working side by side.  The disputed regions of the West Bank and Gaza are basically anti-Jewish political areas that forbid Jewish people from entering.

Were you able to interact with many Israeli citizens or military persons? 

We were blessed to have a Christian guide for our tour.  A former officer of the Israeli Defense Forces, he was fluent in 5 languages.  We ate at Christian and Jewish restaurants, same with shopping.  In every case, almost everyone could speak English and loved to interact with us. Everywhere we went there were young men and women in uniform with weapons.  We talked to soldiers from Arizona, Georgia, New York and New Jersey, who returned to Israel to fulfill their military obligations and attend college. Most planned to make Israel their home. 

I’m sure there were many important places to see; what three were the most impressive or spiritually uplifting? 

Oh my, you would think that is an easy question.  Since we had a Christian guide, our tour focused on those areas of significance to Christians.  Of course, we did go to the Old Testament areas that would become prophetically linked to Christ, but the emphasis was on areas that were significant to the life and ministry of Christ.  Many were traditional sites, some were speculated, but many were actually the real deal. We were blessed to be able to spend time in Nazareth, Bethlehem, Capernaum (Sea of Galilee) and, of course, Jerusalem.  

1) Historically for Israel, Masada would be emotionally the place that was most significant.  The siege against the Roman army lasted 3 years after Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D.70. In the end, 960 Jewish men, women and children committed suicide rather than becoming enslaved by Rome.  All IDF military academy graduates make a pledge, an oath at Masada, “Masada Shall Not Fall Again”! 

2) Bethlehem was available for our tour group at that time.  Since then, the majority Christian population has been displaced and only a small percentage of Christians are there now.  It is a Muslim city and we were blessed to spend time there at the Church of the Nativity, and meet the Kando family who’s Great, Great Grandfather discovered the Dead Sea scrolls. Their antiquities store has one of the original clay urns that contained the scrolls. It has since moved out of the city.

3) Of course, Jerusalem is filled with significant sites that are worthy of mention. Too many to pick just one, but standing on Temple Mount and looking east to the Mount of Olives, seeing the Kidron Valley and the Garden of Gethsemane, scripture tells us that when Christ ascended to Heaven from there, He will return to the same place in the end times. So much of His ministry centered around that area it becomes very emotional to consider. 

 

How were the hotel and food and travel amenities?

First, visiting Israel does not make you a tourist. You become a Pilgrim! All the hotels we stayed at were wonderful.  Most offered “western” style facilities and menus.  Since we ate at mostly Christian owned restaurants, the menus were diverse and typically served buffet style for our group of about 40 folks. At the end of the day, all was wonderful!

What was your personal highlight of the trip?

Now, that’s an easy one.  I mentioned it was our 45^th wedding anniversary while we were there.  So, we had the opportunity to visit Cana of Galilee and the traditional site where Christ performed His very first miracle, water into wine.  There is a beautiful Catholic Church there with a very appropriate “Wedding Chapel” that is non-denominational. Our tour host, Dr. Dan, is an ordained pastor who conducted our re-affirmation wedding ceremony with the group all witnessing it.  The Catholic Church gave us the proper certificate for our re-affirmation ceremony.  How cool was that! They do this all the time.

Would you advise others to visit the Holy Land?

Absolutely!  From start to finish, you are filled with inspiration and confirmation of our biblical heritage. Walking where Christ walked, boating on the Sea of Galilee, touching places where the Prophets and Apostles were physically present, seeing an empty tomb and even the Jezreel Valley (Armageddon) are all faith confirming and life changing. The Bible becomes more significant immediately.  God designated this over 4,000 years ago as the forever homeland for the Jewish people. It’s the birthplace of my Savior, a Jew from the tribe of Judah, the lineage of King David.  

A TOWER TO MARS

Many are afraid of what may happen to the Earth in the future. These fears are fueled by many fearmongering groups. For example, the UN Environment Programme website states the following: “We are experiencing a dangerous decline in nature and humans are causing it.”

As a result there are some who believe we need to find another planet on which to live. According to the INDEPENDENT, billionaire and SpaceX founder Elon Musk is continuing to push his outlandish plan to save humanity from extinction by moving to Mars.

 “It’s not about going to Mars to visit once, but it is to make life multi-planetary so that we can expand the scope and scale of consciousness to better understand the nature of the universe and to ensure the long-term survival of civilization in the hopefully unlikely event that something terrible happens to Earth that there is a continuance of consciousness on Mars,” Musk told Fox News host Jesse Watters this week.

He said going to Mars served as an insurance plan for humans, predicting that Earth would somehow be incinerated by the sun in “hundreds of millions of years.”

This is the same mindset that inspired men a few thousand years ago to build a tower to the heavens. Genesis 11:3-4 (NKJV) Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."

Despite the tower, God scattered them over the face of the whole earth anyway.

God has His own plan for human survival. Just as he instructed Noah to build the ark in order to save life on earth, He has warned us in the Bible to prepare for the coming destruction of Earth by fire. In His Word, the Bible, He has assured us that there will be a new heaven and a new earth built exclusively for those who become His children by the new birth. We won’t need Mars, because everything will be new.

THANK YOU TO THE READERS OF THIS BLOG

I appreciate all of you who have read this blog over the last few years.  As of last week, it reached 100,000 hits. This is a level I never expected to achieve when I began.

I chose not to monetize it, because I found the ads to be distracting to the content. My goal was more of an intellectual and spiritual endeavor, with humor and political inserts where needed. Most of the time I also tried to avoid too many personal notes.

In addition to the posts, there are the poems and pages with additional insights. The most recent page under “Misc Poems and Writings” is the best review of US history I’ve ever read, from AMAC Magazine by Shane Harris. If you haven’t yet read it, please do.

In spite of this good number of hits, I’m surprised at how many friends and family members have told me that they don’t read blogs. They tell me it’s nothing personal, but they don’t read anybody’s blog. Oh well, nothing I can say seems to change their minds. Obviously if you’re reading this, you are not one of them. Thanks again.

I'm thankful to God that there's always something to write about. I began writing in elementary school, and have been ever since. Several of my teachers and professors suggested I should try to publish some of my papers, which I never did. My blog seems to have fulfilled my need to print my thoughts and ideas for others to read.

So I'll keep doing the best I can to continue this endeavor, especially if you'll continue to read. God's blessings to you all.

BIBLES, BIBLES, BIBLES

When someone tells me that they can’t find a church they like, I reply with, “No wonder, there are so few to choose from.” There may be some sarcasm here, but there are an abundance of good churches. It is also true when someone says they can’t find a bible they can understand, because there are so many good modern English language versions.

Here is a “Bible Translation Comparison” chart from “Bible Reviewer”:

            (Click on chart to enlarge)

In addition, there is the newer LSB – Legacy Standard Bible. “The refinements in the LSB also preserve the legacy of the NASB.”

There are also many, many study Bibles from theologians, pastors, and teachers. They contain notes and outlines and references to aid in the serious study of the Holy Scriptures.

These are from Schofield, Thompson, Jeremiah, Ryrie, MacArthur, MacLaren, Stanley, Wiersbe, Evans, and others.

Lots to choose from, so if you haven’t yet found one, just keep looking!

IT WAS THERE ALL THE TIME

I’m putting a jigsaw puzzle together and there’s one piece I can’t find. I look and look and it seems to be missing. I walk away and come back the next day, and I still cannot find it. It’s the same for several days until suddenly it’s right there in plain sight. From where did it come? It was actually there all the time. I thought I had searched thoroughly, but obviously I missed it. But I could not have found it at all had I not continued my searching.

This reminds me of the parables of Jesus about searching. In one a lady lost a gold coin in her house and she turned her home inside out looking for it until she found it. It was there all the time.

In another a shepherd had lost one of his hundred sheep so he left the ninety-nine until he recovered the lost sheep. It was there all the time, but he needed to put forth the effort to seek it, or he would have never found it.

The results of these successful searches: great relief and joy and happiness. There was celebration and they called their friends and neighbors to share their good fortune. Who of us is not very glad when a friend or family member finds that for which they have hunted. Some have been seeking many times for years and years, if not days and weeks.

Are you seeking and searching for anything? Are you searching for money? Are you searching for a lost dog? Are you searching for the solution to a puzzle? Or are you searching for the most important thing in life? Are you seeking and searching for GOD HIMSELF? Several Bible verses will assist you in this ultimate search.

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NKJV) But from there you will seek the LORD your GOD, and you will find HIM if you seek HIM with all your heart and with all your soul.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon ME and go and pray to ME, and I will listen to you. And you will seek ME and find ME, when you search for ME with all your heart.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Acts 17:26-27 (NKJV) And HE has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the LORD, in the hope that they might grope for HIM and find HIM, though HE is not far from each one of us.

In other words, HE has been there all the time and HE is still there waiting for you.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Some folks do, and some don’t, make New Year’s resolutions. And some make the same ones every year. That’s why they’re called resolutions: re-solutions. It’s an attempt to find solutions for the same issues year after year.

There’s nothing wrong with persevering each year for problems that need solutions. It’s much better than giving up and not trying at all. Perhaps this is the year that some items can be resolved, either completely or even partially.

Success is in the continued battle. The fight itself is an indication of forward progress. To not try is to give up and say, “There’s nothing I can do to improve.” When in reality we can improve in many ways and resolutions help us, even if incrementally. Perhaps it’s better to concentrate on what we are instead of what we do.

This writer confesses that he is not an expert on resolutions, or solutions. So let’s see what Google AI has to say about it. Looks like there’s nothing to it – it’s simple, right?

“New Year's resolutions are personal commitments to self-improvement at the start of a new year, focusing on positive changes like health (exercise, healthy eating), personal growth (learning skills, reading more), finances (saving money), or relationships (spending time with family). To make them stick, experts suggest being specific, realistic, starting small, and focusing on direction and experiences rather than fixed, overwhelming outcomes, allowing for flexibility and adaptation when facing setbacks.”

Perhaps is best to seek God’s help for our resolutions, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:

“Did you ever ask yourself why you found it so hard to keep the resolutions you used to make? One reason may have been that they weren’t realistic, or you had no clear plan for reaching them. Many New Year’s resolutions, I’m afraid, are little more than a “wish list”–a series of things we’d like to change about our lives, but little more. They also may be very self-centered, with little thought about whether or not they are God’s will.”

“Another reason, however, why we fail to keep our resolutions is because we seek to reach them in our own strength instead of with God’s help. But we are spiritually and morally weak, and we will never be the people God wants us to be unless we turn to Him for the help we need. The psalmist wrote, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).”

In summary, the best resolutions are found in I Timothy 6:11: “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” Pursuing these resolutions provide some of the many solutions that are needed.

COPYRIGHT 2026 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

CHRISTMAS PEACE

This year Reader’s Digest reprinted a letter from Captain Jake Armes to his wife describing what he called the “extraordinary” events of Christmas Eve, 1914. Someone shouted, “No shooting.” The Captain met with his German counterpart and they agreed to have two days of quiet. Men from both sides met between the trenches and talked and laughed, exchanged smokes and photos and sang songs and played soccer. It was a time of peace. But it only lasted two days. Then the war started again.

This is typical of political peace. It is short-lived. After WW1, in 1918, a treaty was signed and peace prevailed until 21 years later when, in 1939, Germany invaded Poland and started WW2.

Even now we have “peace” and cease fires in many places, but not all. Nor will there ever be complete peace. That is, "political peace."

Because more important than world peace, which only God will bring about in His time, when the Prince of Peace will reign forever and ever, Alleluia!  Much more important is our personal peace, which is available today and every day, through faith in Christ. The following Bible verses explain the promise of personal peace that we can have.

Psalm 4:8 (NKJV) I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV) When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:14 (NKJV) "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

John 14:27 (NKJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Romans 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

May you find PEACE this Christmas season, and all year!

A THANKSGVING CHALLENGE by PASTOR RICK SAMS (2025)

My favorite experiment during the year is to challenge myself and others to write down 3 things every day during November for which you’re thankful. Don’t just say or think it. Actually put your pen to the paper. This may get you into that much sought and ever elusive Christmas spirit better than toys, tinsel, cookies or carols. Here’s some ways to keep that daily discipline more interesting and fun.

1. Try thanking God for something you’ve never thanked Him for before.

2. Thank God for something you still have, instead of what has been taken away.

3. Thank God for something you’ve often seen as a curse; something hard. A serious illustration would be the dear folks who I know personally who told me they thanked God for their cancer. The disease focused them and forced them to prioritize the truly important and eternal over the trivial and temporary.

4. Thank God for something He’s given or done for OTHERS.

5. Thank God for something you believe He’s GOING to do because He’s promised it in His Word.

6. Thank God for someone you’ve never thanked Him for. Then thank them directly.

7. Thank God for a characteristic of His you haven’t thanked Him for in a long while.

8. Thank God for the joy of your salvation and for Jesus and His sacrifice that made this possible

9. Thank God for His Word, the Bible. Now show your gratitude by reading it regularly.

10. Thank God for His faithful, indwelling, empowering Holy Spirit. He will help you be thankful every month of the year.

Have a Happy and God blessed Thanksgiving!

I'M A CLOSENOUGHALIST

I’m the opposite of a perfectionist; I’m a closenoughalist. If things aren’t perfect, so what, it could be worse. I can look at a picture on the wall and if it’s not straight I can walk right on by without fixing it. I have better things to do with my time.

I drive the perfectionists crazy with my laissez-faire attitude, but I can’t help it. I have my temperament and they have theirs. They may accomplish much more than I in life, but I believe I enjoy it more. I can sit back and relax and let them do all the work.

Not that I’m lazy. It’s not a lazy-fair attitude I have. I’ve worked steadily over the years and earned enough to retire. I helped at church and in the community in many ways when I was younger and healthier. When I was in college and was employed at the Chevy plant in Flint during the summer, I worked 16 hour shifts loading 70 pound crankshafts into a lathe. I actually enjoyed hard work.

Then I heard the phrase, “Work smarter, not harder” and it stuck with me. So I became an industrial salesman. My non salesman coworkers always claimed that salesmen never work; they just drive around and talk to customers and prospects. That’s partially true, but it’s a lot harder than it looks. Like I said before, it’s a matter of temperament.

But notably, I don’t relax math or money or chemistry numbers. There are absolutes, even in the life of a closenoughalist.

God created mankind with a vast variety of temperaments and personalities, and it’s important to recognize one’s own life-type gift from God. Remember after Jesus’ friend Lazarus died? Jesus went to comfort the sisters of Lazarus, and Martha was working in the kitchen to prepare a meal, but Mary was visiting with Jesus. Martha was definitely more of a perfectionist, and I believe that Mary was more of a closenoughalist.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave soon after this. I don’t think Christ is anything but perfect.

CHARLIE KIRK AND ST. STEPHEN

The comparison of these two martyrs is the purpose of this post. Both were devout Christians, both were ready to discuss their beliefs with others, both were serving God in their called vocations, both were taken to Glory much too soon.

We can readily read and view what Charlie had to say. He was gracious in his speaking, but also blunt when it came to discussing erroneous concepts raised by others. His intellect and knowledge were exceptional; his attitude was loving and patient.

Charlie was very much like Stephen, as recorded in the Book of Acts in the New Testament. The early Church was a sharing body. Food was distributed to the needy, but when the task became too time consuming for the apostles, it took away from their duties to pray, teach and evangelize. So they found a solution.

Acts 6:2-4 (NKJV) Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables; therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 6:5 (NKJV) And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. This description certainly applies to Charlie Kirk.

Then critics of Stephen arose and accused him of wrongdoing, with many lies and false rumors. They went to the authorities and demanded that he be silenced. Stephen’s reply to his judges was an historical account of the Old Testament history from Abraham to the current events of his day, namely, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Their response to Stephen was vitriolic. Acts 7:54 (NKJV) When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

But the final straw was when Stephen was given a vision of Heaven. Acts 7:55-56 (NKJV)  But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

Not waiting for a verdict from the authorities, Acts 7:57-58 (NKJV) Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.

Whether death from and angry mob or death by a deranged shooter, a saint, at his or her time of passing, will be able to look into Heaven and see their Savior!