We stepped out of history and into reality on our 12 hour flight to JFK. From there we headed to Detroit and then home. Interesting that before visiting Israel, the US was the only home I knew. I’ve visited other countries and have enjoyed them immensely, but the Holy Land is different yet again. Having returned to the US, a big part of my heart feels out of place. Marching to Zion, the beautiful City of God– I’ve sung that song from childhood. Last week I walked through Zion’s Gate, stood on the mountain and gained a fresh and eager anticipation of the day (maybe soon) when Jesus will return to set up a new homeland under His reign. Until then I’ll take the familiar advice of our guide Tsion, “Follow me, please,” and equate it with the invitation of my Savior. In the footsteps of Christ, from the Holy City throughout Derby City, I’ll follow Jesus and let Him make me a fisher of men!
Archive for September, 2009
Returning to an old home, leaving a new one
Sunday, September 27th, 2009Reflections…
Saturday, September 19th, 2009Reflecting on this tour, I must say that this was probably the most enjoyable of my 14 trips to Israel.
- The people in our group were all wonderful. It is easy to see why God has raised them up to be significant leaders and pastors.
- The accommodations were absolutely delightful.
- All of the food was outstanding. The beauty, the abundance, and the quality are beyond words.
- Our guide, Tsion Ben-David was amazing. His knowledge, his energy, and his resilient spirit are remarkable.
- The itinerary was demanding – but the experience was well worth the long days and short nights.
- The presence of God among the group as we shared biblical experiences together was memorable.
Everyone in the group says the same thing: Now that they have visited Israel, they will never be the same! And they are all going back… Perhaps you will go with them.
If you do – You’ll never be the same!
Going Back in Time….
Saturday, September 19th, 2009Today we entered the Old City… but first we stopped at the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (the Cock Crow Church). The church is build on the foundation of the house of Caiaphas. In the lowest level it the prison where they would keep prisoners awaiting trial. It is likely Jesus was held there. George Powel led our devotionin this special place.
Then we went to the Upper Room where Dr. Larry Macon taught us from the scriptures… When you hear something, and you see something, and you feel something, you ought to say something! – based on Acts 2.
Then we began our journey back in time…
We entered the old city through the Zion Gate, still riddled with bullet holes from the War of Independence in 1948. Then we walk through the Jewish Quarter that has been restored since the 1967 war.
Down a few steps and we are in the Byzantine Era Cardo (main street). This section, a portion of which is lined with modern shops, goes back to the 4th century.
After a few informative stops, and a brief lunch break, we continue to make our way back in time and visited the 
Western Wall, the Southern Temple Steps and the Davidson Center. 
These steps are authentic and from the time of Christ. Jesus and his disciples walked these very steps.
From there we exit the Old City through the Dung Gate – cross the street and go back another 1000 years to the City of David, an active excavation site. We walk through the 
Canaanite tunnels and end at the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus cured the bliend man.
Instead of climbing back up the hill, we were fortunately met by the bus that drove us to Bethlehem. We had to cross the border into the Palestinian Authority. Because our bus was owned by an Arab Israeli bus company the bus could go through but our Israeli guide could not. We picked up a new Palestinian guide – Aybee.
In Bethlehem we went to Manger Square and 
visited the Church of the Nativity. This church is very old – from Crusader times. The altar is ornately decorated inside this ancient church.
Soon, we left Bethlehem and drove to the hotel. There, we changed before attending “The Night Spectacular” light and sound show at David’s Citadel… followed by dinner at the Olive and Fish Restaurant.
What a day!
From the Tunnel to the Tomb…
Saturday, September 19th, 2009Today we began our walking tour by visiting the Western Wall Tunnels. These tunnels are far below current street level – at the street level during the time of Christ. There we saw the base of the Temple Mount and walked northwards along the Temple Mount Wall and emerged at the north end of the Temple Mount.
We turned right and headed toward the Loins Gate (or St. Stephen’s Gate) but stopped
just before to visit the Pools of Bethesda and St Anne’s Church. In the church I lined all of out group up like a choir and we sang How Great Thou Art in the marvelous acoustics of the sanctuary. A Doctor of Music who is on sabbatical from her university post in London happened to be in the church while we were there and captured us singing and we kind enough to send us a recording. She asked if we were a choral group! Not bad for an impromptu song. Singing at St. Annes Church
At the Pools of Bethesda Bishop James Dixon shared from the Bible. It was here Jesus healed the lame man.
We then walked the Via Dolorosa and discussed all 14 Stations of the Cross. We started at the Antonia Fortress with a devotion by Ralph Sigler. We ended at the Church of the Holy Seplucher. While we all recognize the historic significance of this structure, it did not resonate with our group of Evangelical leaders.
We walked through the Old City to the Jaffa Gate and boarded our bus which took us to Ben Yehuda Street for lunch and a short time of shopping. No trip to Israel would be complete without a little shopping time.
Then we drove to the Garden Tomb, located near the Damascus Gate to the Old City. Our guide told us the story of the Garden and the reasons why they believe this might be the place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again.
After visiting the empty tomb, I led the group in a short devotional time pulling together all we had experienced together during the past 6 days and we shared communion.
Afterwards, I invited everyone just to spend some time in the Graden before we left. We had the opportunity to meet Christian people from other parts of the world. It was a very special time.
As we ended this very full day, we headed back to our hotel for our final dinner together. As we sat around the table we were all filled with mixed feelings – happy to be there, but sad it was coming to an end.
After dinner we headed to the airport. Even though we received VIP treatment, the security at Ben Gurion Airport is very high and very strict (probably why Israel is one of the safest places on earth). It took a little while to clear security (6 separate checkpoints), but we all made it through without incident and settled into our seats on the plane for our twelve hour flight home.
Jerusalem – Old and New
Saturday, September 19th, 2009Today we began our day by driving to the top of Mt Scopus and looking back on the Judean wilderness. From this vantage point in Jerusalem we could view the Dead Sea in the distance. From there just a short drive brought us to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the entire city of Jerusalem.
After Shawn Thornton shared some thoughts on top of the Mount of Olives, we began to walk down the Palm Sunday Road toward Jerusalem. We stopped halfway down at Dominus Flavit – the church that commemorates where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Rick Scarborough shared a devotion there. Then, we continued our walk down the hillside past the Mount of Olives cemetary to the Garden of Gethsemane. After visiting the Church of All Nations and the small garden near the church, we received special access into another part of the Garden that was gated and quiet. There, Donn Chapman shared his heart.
Next we boarded our bus and drove across town to the Israel Museum where Tsion showed us the Model of Jerusalem as it was in the 1st century AD (or CE for Common Era – as is typically stated in Israel). Next we went to the Shrine of the Book and saw the 2000 year old scroll found at Qumran, where we had been the day before.
Next, I left the group to have a short meeting at the offices of the Ministry of Tourism while they went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial. I met up with the group again at the office of the Mayor of Jerusalem. We had a brief but delightful meeting with the Mayor, Nir Barkat – a special treat.
Next back to our hotel to quickly change then back on the bus for dinner at Bahazer Restaurant with two representatives from the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Back to the hotel to sleep a few hours before our next adventure.
Happy to be home . . . sad to be away
Saturday, September 19th, 2009With about any trip I take it is always good to be home. Like they say . . . there’s no place like it.
But I have to say that as good as it is to be back home, it’s sad to be away from Israel. I’m already looking forward to going back in about 5 months.
Ann and I had already scheduled a trip prior to this one so this gracious opportunity provided by the Israel Department of Tourism was a God-thing. Wow! How it prepared us for our own trip next year.
And what a great group to travel with . . . and they were all Pastors and their wives. We had a ball together . . . we laughed . . . shared stories . . . shared ministries . . . shed tears . . . and even joked with each other. Thanks to all of you for making it a fantastic group.
I love Mark and Susie . . . what great leaders for our team. Hearts of gold and wonderful insights at the various locations we visited. Thanks guys for being so loving.
Our guide . . . what can I say . . . “Follow me please . . .” will be etched into my mind for a long time. Tsion was just awesome . . . a walking encyclopedia . . . a very fast walking one at that. How one little guy can know so much . . . I’m amazed. I really hope we can connect again in the near future.
And thanks to the Israel Department of Tourism for providing this wonderful journey. What a gracious gift! It prepared us for the trip we will lead and it gave us a great platform from which to speak more intelligently to the people we will be leading.
Every Christ follower should visit the land of Israel. Here are my top 3 reasons:
1. The Bible will come alive. As I read the Bible and resume my responsibilities to teach God’s Word, the places and events will jump off the page at me and add a whole new dimension.
2. You get to see what Jesus saw and walk where Jesus walked. You are transported back into time. For example sitting on the Mt. of Beatitudes and seeing what Jesus saw as He taught . . . you get the picture!
3. You’ll never be the same. I’m such a fallible human being but being in Israel has opened the door of my heart just a bit wider to God’s work in my life. What He did there in my heart I’ll carry for a long time and I’m sure He’ll use it to continue His work in me.
It’s good to be home . . . I can’t wait to go back.
Here are a few of my favorite pics:
Our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
The Mount of Beatitudes with the Sea of Galilee in the backgroud
Floating on the Dead Sea . . . and I can’t even swim!
The empty tomb . . . except for a couple of our group members
Reflections from home
Friday, September 18th, 2009First I want to apolgize for not blogging the last 2 days of the trip. Our next to the last day was so long (but wonderful) I just couldn’t make myself blog at 1 a.m., and Tuesday we went from dinner to the Airport so there was no time.
However, I do want to share a few thoughts about those days. Monday was some day. Praying at the western wall is an experence in humility. How many have cried there before me, we are a part of God’s plan, but a little part of a Big God with a Big plan. The Temple steps are an experience as well. This was the first place where we could really walk where Jesus walked. Mostly there is 20 ft of rubble on top of where He walked, but here these are the orginal steps of Herod’s temple going up to the main entrence. Jesus would have used these steps, as would have thousands of pilgrams who sang the Psalms of Assent. I tried to imagine how Jesus felt climbing those steps knowing that each lamb being sacrificed was a picture of him dying for my sins.
Accross the street is the city of David. Suddenly you are back another thousand years to David’s time; recent digs show the remains from His palace. Going through the tunnels from Hezekiah’s time was amazing. Much of the work in this area is on-going with new discoveries each day, and all of them confirming God’s Word.
The day ended for us at the Tower of David Museum for a remarkable sound and light show which is almost indescribable, along a 200 yd wall pictures were show set to music which told the history of Jerusalem from Abraham to present, all set to music. I thought it showed how important history is to this old but rather new again nation.
Our last day took your breath away and again. We met in the dungun under the house of the high priest where almost certainly Jesus was held as he awaited the mockery of his trails. I tried to imagine how He felt in that place, but was to great for my little mind. The western wall tunnels are an education worth the trip. I stood beneath the Holy of Holies, saw the largest cut rock in the world, stood of the street level of Jesus day and pondered how little I am compared to all that have gone before me whose story is told in the layers of rock and history around and above me. Oh little man, how can God love me, but He does. The Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher don’t do it for me; too much gold and candles and junked up stuff, but the Garden Tomb and Gordon’s Calvary made me feel God presence. If this is not the place of His death, bural and resurrection, it is surely the best place on earth to remember them. Communion there with my bride and our group was one of the high lights of my life. Barb and I has a precious prayer time there for our family and each of you as well.
I would be remiss if I didn’t end with a word about our group. 10 Pastor and their wives, most of whom didn’t know each other before the trip, but family by the end. I have never shared experinces with a greater group of friends. Thanks to each of you on the trip for accepting and loving Barb and me, and for being part of our memories of this great week. Each of you are great servants of the most high God. It is an honor to be in this group.
Finally a word to each of you who tracked with us through the week. I hope many of you can go with us some day to this special place. I would love for you to experence what Barb and I just have, prehaps next year in Jerusalem. Until then Shalom!
I will return
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009Wow! It’s not every day that you get to have communion in the Garden Tomb . . . the place that Christians most generally believe to be the place of Jesus’ resurrection.
Exact place? Who knows and it doesn’t really matter . . . the right Person . . . that matters . . . that makes the difference . . . that makes all the difference!
But what a rush . . . to know that you are literally within feet or yards of where the stone was rolled away . . . where Jesus walked out . . . and where the angels announced He is not here!
In a few hours I won’t be here any longer either . . . the good Lord willing I will return again to this amazing land . . . without a doubt Jesus will! Everything else He predicted has come true and so will this. Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Final hours left…
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009I can’t believe that our trip of a lifetime is coming to a close! It has been a very fast paced trip, very full days but lots of supernatural energy thanks to all of your prayer support! We are so grateful . We have felt God’s favor every step of the trip . Everyone has been healthy and we have been able to move around Israel very quickly with not many crowds at all. Today we had the greatest crowd to wait for at the Church of the Holy Sepluchre, but not bad.
We lifted our voices to worship in the beautiful St. Anne’s Cathedral, named for Mary’s mother. We sang Aleluia , and had it videoed by a stranger, who asked if we were a chorale group! She will send it to us!
Israel has been a life changing experience for both of us and we will never be the same since being here! We hope to be back bringing many of you with us!! Must get to another delicious Mediterranean dinner. They know the meaning of delectable food!
See you all very soon…. Pray for our flight!
Last day . . . lasting memories . . . lasting change
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009Today is our last day and probably will be one of the most emotionally draining as we visit the place where Jesus was scourged . . . walk the Via Dolorosa . . . and finally share communion with our new friends in the garden tomb, the site of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
I first came here when I was 17 years old and barely remember anything. It will be different this time! I’m not saying one is too young to come at that age . . . I just had different reasons and was distracted. I won’t take time to go into that. But this time the sites, sounds, smells, tears, and memories will last for a life time. This is the first time here with my wife, but not the last.
It would be hard to come here and not have God do something in your life . . . if you open your heart to Him. I pray that the changes He has been making in my life will be lasting change. I’m a fallible, very fallible, human being . . . but God is working and changing me. And just as when I was 18 I believed He used my first trip here to birth some things in my life, so will He birth new things this time, too.
It’s going to be hard saying good bye to our new friends and should we not see one another again on this earth, we will join together once more, with our Lord, and not just where He walked on earth one time, but forever in our new eternal home.
Come quickly Lord Jesus, come quickly!