Israel Day 4: Jerusalem!

Hey everybody! I was so tired when we got back to the hotel last night, I didn't have a chance to throw a blog post together! Also, I made a video recap of the day's events, but that won't upload for some reason.

That being said, plenty of pictures were taken throughout the day, and I uploaded all the great one's onto Facebook!

We got to Jerusalem safely, and Day 4 of our trip was spent experiencing the Old City and seeing many of the sights.

Here's some of our pics of Jerusalem. The rest can be viewed here.

Colin Mansfield | Create Your Badge

To give you a brief look at what we did, here's bullet points of our day's activities:

• Church of the Holy Sepulcher
• Walking around Old City/shopping
• Camel rides & cityscape
• Mount of Olives
• Garden of Gethsemane
• Church of All Nations

Thanks, and hopefully I'll be able to bring you more tonight!

Colin

Israel Day 2: Sea of Galilee

We're all really looking forward to today! We're stayin on Tiberius, off of the Sea of Galilee! We get to take a cruise on the sea, which should be awesome. Once again, I will be taking notes throughout the day, then posting them at the end of the day.
Here we go!

-Old Galilee Ship-
Our first stop, we went to a museum that was built for the purpose of displaying a 2000 year old Galilean ship! It was really cool to see something that was used in or around Jesus' time. Also, the gift shop was great!










-The Church of the Beatitudes and surrounding area-
Words I would use to describe The Church of the Beatitudes:

Serene
Peaceful
Green
Flowers
Palm Trees

We had a brief church service led by a team member. We read The Beatitudes, then talked about the area and church. Tim gave part of his testimony about coming to Israel, and many on our team cried. It is an amazing place to sit, think, process, write, and feel Papa's tangible love. It's amazing to be reading the Bible, then look around and see it come alive.

This is where Jesus walked, spoke, and healed. How cool is that?













-Caesarea Phillipi-
Well folks, it's official. We've been to the Gates of Hell. In Matthew 16 Jesus changes Simon's name to Peter, says that on this rock Jesus will build his church, then continues to say the Gates of Hell will not be able to stand against it. Many people don't realize that Jesus and Peter were in Caesarea Phillipi when this conversation went down, and that the "Gates of Hell" was the name of the temple of Pan, a pagan half man half goat god. It's said that the people who worshipped Pan did incredibly disgusting things with goats to show their devotion.



Here is where Jesus spoke about the foundations of our church and promised that the Gates of Hell could do nothing to hinder it. Today those "gates" are no more then ruins. And we, the people of the church Jesus spoke of, get to take pictures and read about these ruins.









-Lunch-
For lunch we ate at a Druze villiage and had a wonderful meal of falafal, flat bread, hummus, goat cheese, and more. Turkish style coffee topped off the meal with fresh baklava. Such an amazing meal.



-Capernaum-
After lunch we went to Capernaum! This is an incredibly beautiful area that holds Peter's house, and a beautiful semi-restored synagog! Although our visit here was short due to it almost being closing time when we got there, it was really cool to see the ruins and read about Capernaum while there.



-Sea of Galilee boat ride-
Many in our group had been looking forward to the boat ride with great anticipation. The Sea of Galilee is really a huge freshwater lake, and is crowned with green all around.
Our boat was fairly large. My dad, Dennis, did the teaching (members of our group have been teaching in each spot of interest.) He really shared his heart and was real; it's awesome to see our geoup's bonds growing stronger.
The sunset on the boat was beautiful!
The ride lasted about 40 minutes, and ended with the ship driver/DJ playing worship music. It was so cool, and slightly surreal, to worship on the Sea of Galilee while watching the sun go down.









Tonight Shalom, Sara, Hannah, and I are hitting the town!

Amazing day, so incredible to see the sight Galilee has to offer.

Colin

Israel, thoughts, and Velvet Elvis

Here I sit in transit from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Everyone wishes for something more. People try to find value in things they do, things they buy, even by living a “moral” life. Debates rage about ethics and morality and how each should be lived out.

It’s as if the whole human race knows there’s more to existence then existing.

Sorry if this post has started off too sporadic for you. I’ve been processing a lot in these last few months. I haven’t posted anything because I couldn’t find the words. The most I could do was share some of my thoughts orally with my family, girlfriend, youth group, and peers (I tend to process when I talk). I tried putting my thoughts and emotions into words in the form of a song, but it simply didn’t sound right. I wrote a journal entry on my thoughts a couple weeks ago, but I only reached two pages before I had to conclude.

In a huge way I’ve been rendered speechless about much of what I believe. The thoughts I can share are all still being processed, and none of them have arrived to where I could call them “something I believe.”

Suddenly I find myself able to write on this international flight at 10:30pm Boise time (who knows what time it is where I’m at) while listening to Shawn McDonald and digesting two cokes and airline pasta.

I won’t be able to post this until I land, and possibly not even until I’m within wifi range at a hotel. Nonetheless, I’m here now, writing.

I’ve been reading Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis” for the last several weeks. A couple major thoughts from this book (which I’m hoping to finish in these remaining 7 hours or so I have on the flight.) :

Why are Christians so afraid of having their faith challenged?

What if church isn’t necessary? What if God is Love, and because of that he has no room for judgmental hate in his heart? What if the disciples were teenagers? What if God really doesn’t care about what you do? What if the character of God can be found outside of the Bible?

Are you fearful of any of the answers to those questions? Will it destroy your faith if the actual truth is not at all what you think? Will it destroy your faith to simply ask these, or other questions?

I was really challenged by Velvet Elvis. Bell introduces a concept of “Brickeology” where so many Christians’ beliefs are stacked up into a wall. Each brick (belief) is dependent on the others; if one brick is removed, even if only to be examined, the whole wall will collapse. Not only that, but extending the metaphor out a bit, a brick wall is closed. People are either on one side of a brick wall or the other. So many Christians build themselves into a fortress of beliefs and “truths” and, as a result, shut everyone else out that doesn’t hold those same beliefs.

Bell suggests a possibly more valuable metaphor to examine one’s “belief system.” A trampoline. A trampoline is held together by springs. Each spring can be taken off, stretched, twisted, and carefully examined. Springs can be traded for other springs, and those, in turn, can be examined. Drawing this metaphor out, a trampoline is fun to jump on! People can join in on the experience; in fact, the more the merrier!
Being able to take each of my beliefs and examine them is a true faith builder. I have to have faith in God and trust in Jesus that truth (which, coincidently, he once called himself) fears no investigation.

This is part of growing up, isn’t it? Haha. Probably.

I’ve been listening to some Mark Driscol sermons from the Mars Hill Everything Audio podcast. Driscol makes some excellent points, backs them up with scripture, and even has personal testimonies to back up his messages. The only problem I have with the stuff he says is this: he’s kind of a dick. Not that I don’t like being challenged – I think I just established I’m looking to challenge pretty much everything I believe.
Let’s put it this way: if I were a non-christian and went to Driscol’s Mars Hill for the first time, and I heard Driscol say anything to the extent of “Anybody in here that is a non-christian is going to hell for all of eternity if they don’t give their life to Jesus.” (which he says on a fairly regular basis) it would be an automatic buzzkill and make me really cold to Christianity, even Jesus. Not that Mark Driscol isn’t speaking the truth; he very well may be. But come on dude, at least use some tact.

I’ve been listening to the God Journey podcast. I really appreciate the realness of Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings. They ask the hard questions, and I love processing what they have to say.

I started off this post by talking about people in general, and how they’re looking for something more. Maybe it’s a bit unfair for me to speak on behalf of the whole human race. Perhaps a better way to put it goes something like this.

I know there’s more to existence than existing.

I know there’s more to God than Church.

I know there’s more to Jesus than believing.

I know there’s more to the Holy Spirit than cheap party tricks.

There’s got to be.

Like I mentioned earlier, I’m on the way to Israel. I’m going with a group of friends (Sara, Shalom, Hannah, Bart Hinckley, and my mom and dad.) This is my third visit to the Holy Land.
And this time, I’m approaching the whole deal with a new pair of glasses on.

2009 birthed more pain then I would have ever thought possible for my family. January and February of 2010 have proven to be months of intense processing and thinking; but on way more of a heart level then a head level.

What now?
I have no clue.

I do know that for the next 10 days I’ll be in Israel, and I’ll be there 100%. I’m open to whatever Papa’s got going.
Please pray for my team, and for this trip. Please don’t pray for safety. Please pray for Papa’s love to be revealed to us in a deeper way, and that it would fill us up and even overflow. Too often I’ve stayed safe on a trip, and little else took place. I know it’s a weird request, but I ask it nonetheless.

And now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to watch Flight of the Concords on the TV screen embedded in the seat in front of me.

Colin

From DC to Annapolis to Philly to West Point

Today was a whirlwind of the best kind.
Right now I'm on the East Coast with my dad, and let me tell you it's been a blast!




We flew into DC last night and immeadiatly went to the White House and Capitol building...at 1:30am! It was an awesome experience to be sure. After done with our late night adventure, we took the 45min drive to Annapolis and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. A great start.




Today was awesome. I've never done anything like it before; seen so many tourist and classic American spots in one day! Starting on Annapolis, we grabbed bfast at Carrol's then headed over to the Naval Academy to look around, and, as a Go Army family, urinate on the parade grounds. Ok, maybe we didn't :) all the same, USNA was a cool sight to see and place to experience. After visiting the gift shop, it was back in the car.



East Coast countryside is beautiful to drive past. Brilliant trees, ground moist from fall drizzle, beautiful sky.
But Philly is a whole other world.

If you were to take New York City, give it a traditional feel, get rid of the huge buildings, and make the people have REAL attitude, you'd get Philly. Let's just for comparing them to NY I'd probably get shot.
So, we did the rounds. Cheese Steak at Jim's was the biggest must-have, so we went there first. I got a steak sandwich with whiz and onions, and it totally hit the spot. :) something beautiful about eating Philly Cheese Steak...in Philly! Also, we got to see the bar featured in the movie 'Invincible' (pictured).



And now, back in the car, we're headed to West Point in NY! Tomorrow will consist of Touring USMA, then heading into NYC for some Little Italy goodness.

This has been so amazing! I totally can't wait for the days to come! We'll be headed back through Philly to sight see, then to DC for some touring before heading back home.
If ya want to follow my trip, head over to http://Twitter.com/ColinMansfield

Colin

From one adventure to the next

Words can't fully describe how awesome my time in Europe was. I made some awesome friends, and met some awesome people. I spent amazing time with my girlfriend, and saw some of the most famous sites in the world. I came, I saw I conquered. And I wrote all about it in a blog: http://ChangeofShades.blogspot.com

Now, I'm in So Cal, reconnected with my family, and am on my way to In n Out, then to Catalina Island for a week with friends and family. This has been a summer to remember. I definitely will never forget my last summer of high school!
Not sure I'll be able to post or tweet while on the island, but ya never know!

Colin

The last day of my NY trip

I don't have much time, as I need to hit the sack ASAP (6am flight, 4am wake up). These last two weeks have produced amazing friends, renewed relationships with family, and awesome experiences! It has been a trip to remember.

That being said, below are some pics from today: my last day in NY!

Feel free to follow my journey tomorrow at http://twitter.com/ColinMansfid





























Colin

-- Posted from my iPhone --

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The Mansfields visit Niagra Falls

Everybody, please keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. Now, brace yourselves!

Today's journey

Life is a journey, isn't it? Every day, a new step in some direction; every moment a choice that affects life. Many times I get caught up in the bigness of life: future, future, future. Where am I going, what is my career going to be, what's my time frame for (insert important goal). but what about today's journey? Where have I been today, who have I related with, and how has this influenced me?

So, without further ado: today's journey (as told through uncaptioned photos)































Colin
PS that last pic is a welt from a paintball game I played today. It drew blood.

-- Posted from my iPhone --

My dad, the man who knows everyone

My dad is an amazing man of God. I admire his witty sense of humor, his ability to connect people and projects, and his awesome problem solving ability. Something else about my dad that has always fascinated me is his ability, no matter where we are, to know someone. I've been in the most obscure of places, only to be delayed by my father stopping to talk to that guy he met back in whatchamacallit doing that thing with that dude.

So, yesterday we decided to test this theory: does my dad indeed know people no matter where we are? The test location designated was the Buffalo, NY airport.



Colin

SLS: Day 2

Day two of West Point's Summer Leadership Seminar, or SLS, was very tiring but went well. The day consisted of many things including a virtual weapons training session, a tour of West Point's exterior, the CFA (candidate fitness assesment) and a vicious game of dodgeball to top it all off.

Here are some pics of the day's events:

























Tomorrow is the first day of our workshops/classes. My first workshop is English, and I'm really looking forward to it!

Better get to bed, PT early in the morning!
Colin

PS follow my day at http://twitter.com/ColinMansfield

-- Posted from my iPhone --

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Well, today has finally come! At 1pm I will be boarding my plane and taking off for Newark airport! Reason: going to the Summer Leadership Seminar at West Point! The SLS goes from Saturday to Friday (one week.) I'm not 100% what to expect, but I do know it will be demanding. My college of choice is West Point, and because of that I'm doing all I can to get in. I'm treating this as a competition going into it--I'll let you know how that works out ;-)

Meantime, time for breakfast and packing!

Feel free to follow my journey, or just stick around here for periodic updates!

Colin

Change of Shades

A couple months ago, Kona Estes and I started up a blog. Why? We're going to Europe this summer, that's why. When we started it we weren't sure how, when, or why, we just knew we were going. As the date of departure now draws near, it's become clear that Papa's hand has been on us, every step of the way. First planning, then brainstorming, now fundraising, and soon going. Please give the site a visit, and feel free to follow our journey.

Colin


"Change of Shades is a way of tracking the journey of Colin Mansfield and Kona Estes as they venture to Europe this summer as Student Ambassadors for the United States through People to People. Through pictures, video, information, and good humor, this blog communicates the heart of who Kona and Colin are."

"Colin and Kona enjoy traveling, building relationships with others, listening to music, playing the guitar, riding bikes, going for rides in beautiful sports cars, and being loved on by Papa. Kona attends Capital Senior High School, and Colin attends the Vineyard Christian Homeschool Co-op."