As I'm sure you noticed, all blogging seemed to come to a complete stop by Day 4. The reason for this was shear exhaustion! All of our days were chock full of sites to visit. The days were physically taxing, and by the time we arrived back in our rooms at night, it was typically around 9pm. By that time, all we wanted to do was relax and go to bed!
I will definitely be writing more about my adventures in Israel and Jordan and others may also. So be watching for more to come!!
Blessings to you,
Lisa
Friday, November 14, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thoughts from Val & Kathy DeLeon
As we approach the garden gates, cars pass by, merchants sale their wares, people gaze at the scenery and take in the majesty and splendor of our maker. It's a moment right before we cross the threshold and we begin a transport into the past....it's a moment when your heart remembers what took place over 2,000 years ago. Crossing the threshold, your eyes are filled with beauty and a serenity that is beyond compare.
This garden is not like any other, you see white rock-lined paths of red earth. There are olive trees of mass poportion and conifers that tower at least 45-50 feet high. As you listen to the muffled sounds outside the garden walls....you can almost hear the trees telling a tale of a king who was praying feverently to His Father to spare Him. It's a tender moment and it fills your heart to the point of tears. As we each find our place to pray....I am drawn to a corner where the floor is covered with pine needles and a sweet sparrow beckons us to sit....
As we begin to pray our prayer of thanksgiving everything else seems to shut off. There is a queitness around us that can only be explained as the Presence of God. Thoughts of Loved ones fill our minds as we pray and we feel as someone has come along side of us to help guide us in our prayers. The emotions of being in the same place as Jesus and being in prayer with him are almost too much to bear as we lift our hearts to him. Truly the Lord was with us in this place as all of the travlers were also touched by his hand. We are so thankfull that he has allowed us to share in this wonderfull place where he walked......Until we see each other again.... May the Lord Bless you and keep you all the days of your life..........Val & Kathy
This garden is not like any other, you see white rock-lined paths of red earth. There are olive trees of mass poportion and conifers that tower at least 45-50 feet high. As you listen to the muffled sounds outside the garden walls....you can almost hear the trees telling a tale of a king who was praying feverently to His Father to spare Him. It's a tender moment and it fills your heart to the point of tears. As we each find our place to pray....I am drawn to a corner where the floor is covered with pine needles and a sweet sparrow beckons us to sit....
As we begin to pray our prayer of thanksgiving everything else seems to shut off. There is a queitness around us that can only be explained as the Presence of God. Thoughts of Loved ones fill our minds as we pray and we feel as someone has come along side of us to help guide us in our prayers. The emotions of being in the same place as Jesus and being in prayer with him are almost too much to bear as we lift our hearts to him. Truly the Lord was with us in this place as all of the travlers were also touched by his hand. We are so thankfull that he has allowed us to share in this wonderfull place where he walked......Until we see each other again.... May the Lord Bless you and keep you all the days of your life..........Val & Kathy
Friday, November 7, 2008
Day Four-Thoughts from Trev
Well, this has been an exciting day! We began with sunrise for thelast time on this trip on the Sea of Galilee. Breakfast was spent out on the backporch of our wonderful hotel (which is a converted Church of Scotland hospitol!) and off to Megiddo. Before that, we went to Bet She'an, which is a place where Saul and Johnathan were hung. On a positive note though it was one of the best restored cities of the Roman era, complete with Ampitheater, and a great look at Roman life. Jerash, which we visited on the first day was another great Roman city. However, in my opinion, it was a pale comparison to what we would see later this day.
We later went to Megiddo, which for you Apocalyptic fans, is where many Christians believe the big showdown in the end is going to take place. It is hard to think that Israel is only a coincedental country where things "just happen" and the end times fall into this arena. Israel will be some kind of player in the end times I am sure of it, and Megiddo just might be one of her "stages." This is an ancient city where many things have happened, and I am sure many more will happen.
After Megiddo, we travelled to the southwest corner of the Jezreel Valley, to Mt Carmel. One of my favorite stories happens here, as we saw the location of Elijah and his standoff with the followers who one day see Baal as god and the Lord as God (depending on the day!). Of course the real God won, and Elijah stands up when everyone else shrunk down. It was a total honor to hear my stepfather, Jerry McMath read the account on top of the mountain. A real blessing.
From there we headed to have a "falafel" lunch, and then onto what would be a place that will forever touch Danyel and I. Caeserea Maritima is Mike Hall's number one tour spot. It is this because it is where Paul speaks before Agrippa. This has been proven in its location by credible sources, and you can actually see where Agrippa sat, and Paul spoke. Mike read this account in the same Ampitheater facing the Medditerranean Sea, and we were all touched at his account of this place. What would happen next made quite a few tears come to many. As we watched the sun set on the Med, we noticed a group of Africans approaching the same spot. As we spoke to some, low and behold, somewere Togalese! Across the world, and here we were with family! We held hands, sang, and I introduced myself in horrible Eve' (native language of Togo) as "Komlan" (given African name). We sang african songs as the sun set, praising God in this land that according to our guide is "home to all of us as Christians." Danyel on the way back to the bus commented, "This is what heaven will be like!" quoting Lisa's ealier comments about how any different "pilgrims" we have seen here.
Maritima is the birthplacefor Gentile Christians. Cornelius was saved here. Paul worked here. Peter ministered here. Phillip the evangelist was in this area. Byzatines built here. My heart as a church history lover was left there. It will be a moment for Danyel, myself and our group for years to come as Christianity showed that it is very healthy in the land that almost won a Roman ruler!
The evening was spent singing praises as we ascended "up to Jerusalem." One song was even led by CD of John Starnes singing "Jerusalem." As we walked into the city(as tradition) we toasted the pilgrimmage, prayed for our time, read a psalm, and then checked into our hotel for the night. As I write this, there is a connection to the city that is undenyable. My stepmother is Jewish. My Christian stepfather is with me. I thought of our "adopted" Muslim student, Kadiatu, and thought of how this is home to all three faiths. However, with the day tomorrow on the Garden, my mind is beginning to focus on Christ, and how He came with a mission...to save you and save me.
We are written on His hands....we are engraved upon His heart....
Trev
We later went to Megiddo, which for you Apocalyptic fans, is where many Christians believe the big showdown in the end is going to take place. It is hard to think that Israel is only a coincedental country where things "just happen" and the end times fall into this arena. Israel will be some kind of player in the end times I am sure of it, and Megiddo just might be one of her "stages." This is an ancient city where many things have happened, and I am sure many more will happen.
After Megiddo, we travelled to the southwest corner of the Jezreel Valley, to Mt Carmel. One of my favorite stories happens here, as we saw the location of Elijah and his standoff with the followers who one day see Baal as god and the Lord as God (depending on the day!). Of course the real God won, and Elijah stands up when everyone else shrunk down. It was a total honor to hear my stepfather, Jerry McMath read the account on top of the mountain. A real blessing.
From there we headed to have a "falafel" lunch, and then onto what would be a place that will forever touch Danyel and I. Caeserea Maritima is Mike Hall's number one tour spot. It is this because it is where Paul speaks before Agrippa. This has been proven in its location by credible sources, and you can actually see where Agrippa sat, and Paul spoke. Mike read this account in the same Ampitheater facing the Medditerranean Sea, and we were all touched at his account of this place. What would happen next made quite a few tears come to many. As we watched the sun set on the Med, we noticed a group of Africans approaching the same spot. As we spoke to some, low and behold, somewere Togalese! Across the world, and here we were with family! We held hands, sang, and I introduced myself in horrible Eve' (native language of Togo) as "Komlan" (given African name). We sang african songs as the sun set, praising God in this land that according to our guide is "home to all of us as Christians." Danyel on the way back to the bus commented, "This is what heaven will be like!" quoting Lisa's ealier comments about how any different "pilgrims" we have seen here.
Maritima is the birthplacefor Gentile Christians. Cornelius was saved here. Paul worked here. Peter ministered here. Phillip the evangelist was in this area. Byzatines built here. My heart as a church history lover was left there. It will be a moment for Danyel, myself and our group for years to come as Christianity showed that it is very healthy in the land that almost won a Roman ruler!
The evening was spent singing praises as we ascended "up to Jerusalem." One song was even led by CD of John Starnes singing "Jerusalem." As we walked into the city(as tradition) we toasted the pilgrimmage, prayed for our time, read a psalm, and then checked into our hotel for the night. As I write this, there is a connection to the city that is undenyable. My stepmother is Jewish. My Christian stepfather is with me. I thought of our "adopted" Muslim student, Kadiatu, and thought of how this is home to all three faiths. However, with the day tomorrow on the Garden, my mind is beginning to focus on Christ, and how He came with a mission...to save you and save me.
We are written on His hands....we are engraved upon His heart....
Trev
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Days 2 & 3 - From Lisa Jones
Greetings from Tiberias! This is a continuation of the report of activities from Day 2 and then I'll get into Day 3's activities!!
Day 2 con'td -
Day 2 con'td -
- Church of Multiplication - This is the site where Jesus is believed to have multiplied the fish & the loaves to feed the 5000+ people who had gathered to listen to Him.
- Church of Peter's Primacy - The site where Jesus restored Peter after His denial of Christ during His greatest hour of need. This was an absolutely beautiful place. I could picture Jesus standing there on the rocky beach to greet the fisherman as they came ashore. Since this has always been one of my favorite Bible stories, it was a very touching place to me. "I love you, I love you, I love you, Jesus."
- Capernaum - Jesus' adopted home town after the people of His own home town of Nazareth had run Him off by threatening to throw Him off a cliff for His proclamation of being the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. There was a lot to see there as not only were there the original synagogue ruins but also the rebuilt synagogue remains of the 3rd-4th century. There was also the House of Peter and a monument of great architectural feat of engineering built on top of his home without ruining the integrity of the original structure.
- Sea of Galilee - This was a truly awe-inspiring experience. We boarded a boat and set sail upon the sea. As we drifted in the middle of the peaceful waters, we sang some praise & worship songs both in English and in Hebrew. I have to tell you that when we sang "Agnus Dei" I truly was overwhelmed with the thought that my Lord and Savior had sailed upon the same waters. I couldn't even sing from being so overcome with emotion. We were able to see the "city on a hill" and the many lights of the surrounding villages that dot the perimeter of the sea. It was absolutely amazing. Definitely one of my favorites so far.
Day 3 - Mount of the Beatitudes, Tel Dan Nature Preserve, Caesarea Philippi, Golan Heights, Yardenit (Jordan River baptismal site)
- Mount of the Beatitudes - This mount was where Jesus delivered His most famous sermon. Not only does the site have significant Biblical meaning but it's a beautiful site to behold. The area has been extravagantly landscaped and is an oasis in a dry & dusty land.
- Tel Dan Nature Preserve - This was the land that the tribe of Dan inherited in the northern region of the Promised Land. Because of its beautiful vegetation and springs, the area has been turned into a nature preserve. Just like Texas contains practically every type of environmental landscape, so does the country of Israel. Mountains, streams, lakes, rivers, deserts, hills, etc. It's all here! Through the preserve flows one of the sources of the Jordan River.
- Caesarea Philippi - Also located in the north country, this was the site of the famous exchange between Jesus and the disciples when Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ. The backdrop of this exchange was a cliff that had been turned into a place of idol worship during the BC era for several gods, such as Pan, Zeus, and Caesar Augustus. When Jesus said "the gates of hell shall not prevail against the kingdom," I can't help but think that He was also so good to give practical metaphors that the people of the day and age could instantly grasp and understand.
- Golan Heights - What used to be a military bunker and lookout for the Syrians to keep watch over their enemy Israel has now become a place to view the now peaceful borders between Israel and Syria. It offered a fantastic view from its mountain top.
- Yardenit - This is the place on the Jordan River where modern day baptisms now take place. We witnessed and cheered on as 9 of our group was baptized in the river. Same river as Jesus' baptism but a different location.
That's all for now. Keep watch for further posts.
Many blessings,
Lisa :-)
Days 1 & 2 - From Lisa Jones
What an amazing time we're having in the Middle East! Of course, the traveling is a killer - but it's so worth it! And we're thankful to God for arriving safely. I've experienced so much already that it's hard to believe that I've only completed 2 days of our 9 days of touring (this excludes our traveling days). Journaling is vital to keeping it all straight!
Day 1 - Mt. Nebo, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Jerash
- Mt. Nebo - the site where Moses stood to see the Promised Land before he died. Totally amazing views of the land the Israelites would soon conquer under the leadership of Joshua. God was so gracious to take Moses to this particular spot. The view was magnificent and inspiring. You could see Jericho, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, and the land beyond the Jordan. I did not want to leave the top of the mountain.
- Bethany Beyond the Jordan - the site where tradition says Jesus was baptized. One of the neat things we're experiencing on the trip is that the correlating Scripture is read for the site that we're at. Truly it does give a new perspective when reading the Word. I could almost visualize John and Jesus in the water, God speaking from Heaven, and the Spirit descending like a dove.
- Jerash - a city that flourished in the 1st century AD, thriving from robust trade due to the Pax Romana (Roman Road). Imposing Roman ruins remain there, including Hadrian's Gate and the Hippodrome. Ashley & I even wrote in a chariot around the arena - fun stuff!
Day 2 - Cana, Nazareth Village, Mt. Pressepic, Tabgha, Peter Primacy, Capernaum
- Cana - city where Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water into wine for a wedding. A very special thing happened here today - the couples who are traveling with us took the opportunity to renew their vows. One of the couples with us have been married for 55 years! It was a sweet moment.
- Nazareth Village - a replica of a village during the time of Jesus. If any of you have been to Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, you can probably imagine what the Nazareth Village was like.
- Mt. Pressepic - if Mt Nebo was awe-inspiring, this was beyond that! It's impossible here to describe everything I saw here.
My 1 hr. time limit on internet is just about up. I will have to continue at another time...hopefully tomorrow!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Day One- Barney's thoughts...
Cheri and I planned on this trip last year but after her accident I really did not want go and I knew that it would not be the same without her. When I found out that my daughter Jenifer could take Cheri's place my heart was again spurred to the idea of the trip. My sister Cyd also made the trip. So I am in Isreal after travelling around Jordan today with the two ladies I love the best in my life.
I am so glad that I decided to make the journey. I have already felt much closer to the Lord, especially after standing at the site of His baptism in the Jordan River. What a moment, especially when Trevor asked me to read of Jesus' baptism from the Bible. It is almost unexplainable how much the Scriptures come alive when you actually are standing at the various sites you read of in God's Word. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to make this once in a lifetime trip.
I am so glad that I decided to make the journey. I have already felt much closer to the Lord, especially after standing at the site of His baptism in the Jordan River. What a moment, especially when Trevor asked me to read of Jesus' baptism from the Bible. It is almost unexplainable how much the Scriptures come alive when you actually are standing at the various sites you read of in God's Word. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to make this once in a lifetime trip.
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