!!Shalom!!

     Today was an awesome day of fun and learning.  It’s pretty amazing that the more you get to know and learn about a place the more you fall in love with it.  Everybody seems to have a success story from the long ago to how they arrived to the current reality.  Israel has been through some pretty heavy opposition since it’s beginning in the Book of Joshua.  It seems as if they are still going through it and missing out on the blessings that come with obedience to God.  David and Solomon were prime examples of this.  They obeyed and were blessed.  Today, God is reached through Jesus Christ alone, yet He was despised and rejected by men: Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (Blessings for Obedience) and Deuteronomy 28:15 (Curses for Disobedience) and Isaiah 53:3.  The Orthodox Jews, that I have seen, are so devote and intentional about their prayers and the old law.  I am reminded of how easily we can overlook or ignore Christ and boast in ourselves and our works.  Today I was reminded about Romans 11.  Great chapter!! Paul speaks to gentiles (me) in a way that should lead me to humility because of God’s grace.  I have been grafted in!!! Praise God!!  My prayer tonight goes to the Jews in Israel and all over the world.  May there eyes be reopened and their ears aloud to hear.  May they be released from the spirit of stupor and to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior!!  

     Today was our 1st day on the Sea of Galilee!!  I actually got to get into a boat that was made similar to that of the 1st Century, except bigger, and go into the middle of the sea.  As we worshipped on the sea I could do nothing but embrace the reality of Jesus walking on these waters and calming the storm that suddenly swept over them.  I could see all the places that Jesus’ miracles happened from the Sea of Galilee: the feeding of the 5000, healing of the demon possessed men and Legion, sermon on the mount, casting the nets on the other side to catch the 153 fish, etc...  I could go on!!  He definitely proved that He had power over everything natural, and spiritual.  The Sea of Galilee is a beautiful place.  I could see a bunch of different cities around the lake depending on which way you face.  Even though it is 7.5 miles across, the hills surrounding the sea allow you to view the other side pretty clearly.  It would be easy to see large crowds gather in different areas.  Definite put into perspective when he said that a city on a hill can not be hidden.  I could sea all of them!!

     Today we also went up to Caesarea Phillipi, named after King Herod’s son.  This is where the Jordan river is primarily fed through a spring that shoots out from Mount Herman.  I took rocks as gifts.  Interestingly enough, this place is where a shrine to the god Zeus other goddesses were made.  Attached is a picture of a Roman Bridge that was built around the time that Jesus walked the Earth.  I was possibly walking on the same path as Jesus!!  Caesarea Phillipi is also where Simon Peter (pebble) declares that Jesus is the Son of God and his named is changed to Peter (rock).  Jesus then declares that the gate of Hades’ will not overcome the Church!!  Woohoo!!  That’s a statement we can stand on as the Church of Christ.  Be encouraged!!

     This trip is a Pilgrimage to the Holy land to experience and get better insight to the potential atmosphere that my Savior and Lord lived in as He spoke to the 1st generation.  By no means is this trip to prove that Jesus is real to me; I am no doubting Thomas.  I believe in Jesus 100%!!!  Our God really came down into His creation and lived as/through Jesus Christ.  Jesus is Real!!  This trip is strengthening to my spirit and I hope that you are encouraged thus far from these brief glimpses into my mind and heart.  I believe that one of the worst weaknesses of the body is for one to be guarded and alone.  Not only in the physical body but also in the church.  My encouragement to whom ever is reading along is to become transparent with the church and its members and begin to share your heart on these matters.  Come to receive mercy, grace, peace, forgiveness, joy, insight, guidance, and love from one another but also give that same gift back to others with patience and as much understanding as you can muster.  Sometimes all people need is an ear to talk to and the Holy Spirit will guide their hearts into righteousness and comfort.  My peace I leave with you from Israel as Jesus has left it with me!! (John 14:27) Go and be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect! (Matthew 5:48).  

!!Shalom!!

P.S.  Interesting fact about the Jews and the Sabbath.  There are elevators here in Israel that are called sabbath elevators.  These elevators stop at every floor in the building so that on the sabbath the Jews don’t have to “work” by pressing the elevator button.  Huh!!!  Praise be to God for sending Jesus!