LHBC Israel Tour 2008

The guest blogger for today, Wednesday, June 4th, is Megan Lebo.

So I know I said that I would keep everyone updated throughout my stay in Israel but honestly I have had no time!  This is the first time I’ve been able to sit down and write.

This is my third time to visit Israel and honestly, I love it more and more each time I come!  I find myself so moved with compassion for the people here and at the same time so filled with grief!  From the darkness that is felt upon Temple Mount to the emptiness that is felt at the Western Wall, one recognizes that this country and these people are void of the Spirit of God.  Yet in the midst of the darkness and the emptiness there remains a glimmer of hope that one day the veil will be removed from the eyes of these people.  Last night we spent the evening with an Israeli Jewish believer who shared with us what God is doing here among not just the Jewish people but the Arab people also.  God’s Spirit is stirring up hearts here and it’s exciting to hear about it!

My prayer is that God will continue to stir the hearts of this nation, this people.  Be praying for them that God will open their eyes.

 

The guest blogger for today, Monday, June 2nd, is ????

Because of the fast pace of the tour, we have simply worn our travelers out!!! We will see if we can muster enough strength from someone to pick back up tomorrow. 

 

The guest blogger for today, Sunday, June 1st, is Lori Thomas

Jerusalem:  We’ve arrived!

It is always exciting to ascend the Judean hills with the anticipation that just beyond the next hill lies Jerusalem!  The Beautiful City, the City of Gold, the City of Peace, the City of David, Zion, the City that bears God’s name.  Jerusalem is a sleepless city, full of life and endless activity!  We are in the midst of the heaviest tourist season ever for Jerusalem and tonight begins a celebration of Jerusalem Day, marking the anniversary of the return of this holy city to Jewish control, a return that had been the hope of the Jewish people for over 1,800 years, and the promise of God since long before that.  And speaking of the promises of God; as I look out the hotel window with a view to the Old City Wall and the Mt. of Olives, we can be assured that His promise to return to this place will come to pass.  And we who’s names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be with Him here.  This is certainly not the last visit to Jerusalem for any of us on this tour.  Glory to Him!  Psalm 137:5-6

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The guest blogger for today, Saturday, May 31st, is Beverly Sims 

My Galilee Experience

Let me begin by thanking my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for saving my soul.

When I volunteered to write for today’s blog I thought it would be easy.  As is many times the case, I couldn’t have been more wrong!  I just knew the best part of my day would be the commemorative baptism in the Jordan River.  Don’t get me wrong, it was truly an incredible experience and something that I will always remember….it was something separate from being here in Israel that really touched me. 

Today, on the boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, JT Honeycutt shared with the group about the deep and precious lovehe shared with his bride of almost 50 years.  As touched and as moved as I was by the love JTshared with and still has for his wife, it brought home again to me how our Heavenly Father loves us each even more deeply.  And that God is always there for us through the storms in our lives was reinforced by JT’s testimony.  That’s something I’ve found to be true myself over the last few years as I’ve pressed closer and closer into Him through my own storms. 

This trip is simply the trip of my life and I’ve been blessed beyond my wildest dreams.  Hopefully it will be the first of many trips to God’s chosen land. 

 

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The guest blogger for today, Friday, May 30^th, is Cathy Searcy

 

Seeing God’s Glory in the Great and Small Things

We started out the day going to Caesareaby the Sea with bible teaching at the amphitheater located there that faces the Mediterranean Sea.  One significant event that took place there was Peter’s sermon to the Gentiles.  It was awesome!!!  Talk about words of the Bible coming to life when you are actually in the place where it all happened.  Then on to Megiddo where we stood on the very ground that will be the gathering place for the armies who will make war on the great Day of the Almighty God!  Looking across the plains of Megiddo we saw Mt. Tabor (The Mount of Transfiguration) where Jesus took Peter, James and John to reveal His glory to them.  What an awesome God we serve.  A God that loves us so much.  Our next stop was Mt. Carmel where God shows His glory again when he brought fire down from heaven to show the people of Elijah’s day that He is the only true God – and is still the only true and eternal God.  Last but not least, God demonstrated His wonderful sense of humor when we saw a cow eating out of a dumpster on Mt. Carmel.  Whether at wonderful sites where great events in the Bible occurred or in the smallest or most insignificant of things like a sight on the side of a dusty road, God’s Glory is all around us and available those who will simply slow down and observe..

Thanks to my wonderful husband for allowing me to experience this beautiful country – Israel.

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 Dusty Sandals – Understanding the Simplicity of Christ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simple life.  Upon waking this morning at 6am, I laced up my New Balances and took a jog down the streets of Tiberius along the Sea of Galilee.  The sun was rising and reflecting in great glory off of the waters.  Everything around me has been bringing the Word of God to life.  From the fields of fruits and vegetables, cities set upon hills, the ruins of Chorazin, the gates of Dan and the rocky cliffs of Caesarea Philippi, I can see the simplicity of Christ.

Though the clouds are the dust of His feet (Nehemiah 1:3), Jesus walked among real people, in real places and in real time.  The One who inhabits eternity and lives in a high and holy place, also dwells with them that are of a contrite and humble spirit (Isaiah 57:15).  John the Baptist reminded the people, “there is One coming after me who is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:  He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).  For the sinners and publicans who recognized their sin and need of a Savior, Jesus welcomed them with open arms.  However, there are those I see walking down the street today with their clothes of righteousness (phylacteries, prayer shawls and books) that need to see the God who became flesh and dwelt among us.  His sandals were dusty and He stretched out His arms and hands on the cross to provide salvation and clean up our dirty, sin-stained lives.  Whether you are walking in sandals, New Balances or dusty Crocs, the answer is simple – God wants hearts totally devoted to Him.