Carl Medearis » Trip Updates

Take Jesus Back

Carl Medearis — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:19:20 +0000

I encouraged the 1000 Muslims from around America at the Muslim American Society annual conference to “take Jesus back.” I reminded them that Jesus was from Nazareth, not Tulsa. And that he was probably 5 foot 8 with brown skin and a big hooked nose. That he looked more like the Arabs sitting on the front row than he did me. (They liked that).

I retold the parable of the Good Samaritan and how provocative it would have been in his day. And I finished with Luke 4 – Jesus’ “mission statement.” And how interesting that everyone loved his speech until he pointed out that the Prophet Elijah went to a widow in Zarapheth (modern day Lebanon) and that Elisha healed the leper from Syria. Then they tried to kill him.

The point being that all of us would like to keep Jesus to ourselves. But he continually expanded the thinking of his Jewish hearers by giving them examples of God’s grace for the outsider!

It was so well received. Imagine speaking to 1000 Muslims (mostly from Arab descent) about Jesus, and being cheered on for more. I finished by saying, “If you’ve ever felt that Christians have unfairly taken Jesus and re-packaged him in a way that you can’t understand, then TAKE HIM BACK. He’d love to be yours!”

Thank you for praying! It meant a lot.

We’ve just posted the 4-minute video of me speaking on Hezbollah TV. You can view that through my YouTube Channel, a link on my Facebook page or the website under “Resources.” Remember this: it was spur of the moment. I was totally taken off guard by the cameraman saying to me, “Tell all of Lebanon and the Middle East that America loves the Hezbollah and doesn’t approve of what Israel is doing.” What you see, is the second after he asked that question and handed me the microphone. He didn’t ask me to “preach” or “share the gospel” – he simply wanted a political statement from me. And this is my answer….

Merry Christmas and Arab TV

Carl Medearis — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:40:38 +0000

Chris and I and our three kids want to wish each of you a wonderful and merry Christmas. We hope it’ll be wonderful, with or without lots of presents.

Two other quick things:

Remember to pray for me as I address about 1000 Muslims in Chicago on the 26th.
And I will release the video of me speaking on Hezbollah TV on the 28th. It wasn’t easy, but we got a decent quality live video of my whole talk (5 minutes) to the nation of Lebanon when we were there in November. It went out to the whole region on their satellite station as well. So when I get back, we’ll have a chance to post that. Should be interesting!

Merry Christmas to you all. Lots of love from the Medearis family,

Carl, Chris and the three kiddos – Anna, Marie and Jonathan

Middle East Trip Video Update: 11/10

Carl Medearis — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:42:06 +0000

In this final video blog from the Middle East, Carl talks from the beach in Tel Aviv about the simplicity of Jesus and the answer that He is to all the chaos, questions, and conflict — not just in the Middle East, but in every single one of us.

Middle East Trip Video Update: 11/9

Carl Medearis — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:33:17 +0000

Check out this quick video blog about the power (and challenge) of loving our enemies — recorded yesterday afternoon in front of Arafat’s tomb in Ramallah. Also, we’ve posted a few new photos of our time in Bethlehem and Ramallah on Facebook.

Middle East Trip Video Update: 11/8

Carl Medearis — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:45:01 +0000

Here’s Carl in Hebron in front of the half mosque-half synagogue that houses the tombs of the patriarchs (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Leah). We’re also posting photos daily, so be sure to check them out on our Facebook page.

Middle East Trip Video Update: 11/7

Carl Medearis — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:27:31 +0000

For our fourth video blog from the Middle East, Carl talks from the Mount of Olives about the religiosity in Jerusalem, both during Christ’s time and today.

Middle East Trip Video Update: 11/6

Carl Medearis — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:05:45 +0000

Video update #3 from Bethlehem…Carl and Chris share some highlights from the last couple days. Plus, we’ve posted some new photos from the last couple days, so be sure to check those out on Facebook.

Middle East Trip Video Update: 11/4

Carl Medearis — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:14:58 +0000

Carl gives a quick update on what’s going on with the team in the Middle East, and he talks to a couple young people who live in Beirut. Take a few minutes to watch the video, and be sure to post your comments. Also, check out Carl’s Facebook page to see daily photo updates from the team.

Middle East Trip Video Update: 11/3

Carl Medearis — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:06:12 +0000

Carl gives a quick “live update” from the team currently in Beirut, Lebanon. Be sure to pass the video along to your friends, and if you’re not a fan on Facebook, become one so you can keep track of us.

We also just posted photos of the day’s events on Facebook, so click here to check them out.