As the sun eased it’s way into the Mediterranean horizon Sunday evening, Glenn Beck greeted an enthusiastic crowd of over 3,000 at the Caesarea Amphitheater: “Welcome to the land of milk and honey!”
Beck’s week of “Restoring Courage” events is beginning with a religiously themed evening entitled “The Courage to Love.”
Early in the program Beck was joined on the stage by historian David Barton. Grammy-nominated vocalist Vernessa Mitchell was accompanied by an ensemble of Israeli singers and musicians. In the first half of the program the audience heard passionate remarks by author Mike Evans and Florida pastor Tom Mullins.
Mullins challenged the capacity crowd:
“It’s time for the people of faith to stand with a courage that flows from God’s deep love and defend Israel!
We are gathered in the very spot, where, centuries ago, the faith of the Apostle Paul was put on trial. Paul resolutely refused to compromise the truth of his faith. He stood with great courage and embraced his destiny; and his life had profound, eternal impact on the world.”
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin defined “courage” in contrast with its “fraternal twin” strength:
“Strength is physical prowess: Courage is spiritual sensitivity.
Strength is rooted in selfish self aggrandizement, hell-bent on taking over and dominating “other” on destroying one’s enemy.
Courage is rooted in self sacrifice, Heaven-sent to give to and share with “other” to turn one‘s hated enemy into one’s beloved friend.
Strength revels in power.
Courage reaches out in love.”
Indeed, Courage begets and demands love; the very Hebrew word for love Ahava, derives from the root verb HAV which means to give.
Pastor John Hagee spoke just before Beck’s concluding remarks:
“We have come tonight to say to the people of Israel, you are still the apple of God’s eye, you are still the chosen people, you are still the covenant people, you are still cherished the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Beck began his final talk by asking the audience to “Honor these people who have honored God for so long.”
While noting that many in the crowd had come at “great expense,“ he praised those who had come at ”great risk” to their personal safety.
Here are some pictures from the early moments of the program.
This post will be updated throughout the evening.
The main Restoring Courage Event will be on 8.24.11 but there will be events all week like this one. It will be covered in full on GBTV.com
One year ago Glenn Beck and his team put on Restoring Honor in Washington D.C. It was a major success, but he told his staff that they would not do that again. But this year he was called to do Restoring Courage in Israel.
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