Click on the link below to view the LHCB Israel Tour 2008 video.

Israel Tour Video 2008

I’ve been given the privilege of writing the closing comments on the Israel Tour 2008.  The difficult part of closure is that once you visit Israel, it never comes to a close.  The residual effect of being in the Land of God’s choosing is a strange phenomenon.  I’m sure the travel group is experiencing it as well.  It’s been called different things, the Israel impact, the Jerusalem syndrome, etc.  But I have a theory, for those of us who are the children of God, believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ I think it’s about being “home”.  Israel has always felt like “home” to me.  Not in the temporal sense but rather in the sense that she still bears God’s Name, and so do I.

The tour went extremely well and the dynamics of the group could not have been better.  God certainly blessed this trip, and all glory is due Him and Him alone.  It is humbling to feel the embrace and affirmation of the Lord and it lets us know that He had something in this for us all.  And I can say with confidence, speaking for the group that we all heard from Him in some way.

Jesus’ years on this planet were only 33.  And in light of the Truth that He is the eternal God that just isn’t a long time.  But to walk in His footsteps, to mingle with those whom He came to save first, to experience so much of the same culture in which He made it His choice to participate in and identify Himself with makes a trip to Israel truly life changing.  As the Gospel moved west and had to fight it’s way through many avenues of corruption in societies and the church, much of the rich heritage inherent in the unveiling of God to humanity was denied, suppressed and lost to us.  Israel, being the continued fulfillment of God’s prophetic word, helps to reconnect us with that beautiful heritage that, by God’s design, is intended to lead the world to His inheritance that becomes ours, Yeshua Ha Mashiach, Jesus the Messiah and Savior of the World!

Shalom until next time!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

‘May they prosper who love you.

May peace be within your walls,

And prosperity within your palaces.’

For the sake of my brothers and my friends,

I will now say, ‘May peace be within you.’

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God

I will seek your good.”

Psalms 122:6-9

Be sure to check out the link “Tour Pictures and Videos” for pictures from each day of the tour.

Just wanted to let you know that we have posted our first picture from the tour on the page “Tour Pictures and Videos”.  Check back daily for more postings after each touring day.  Also, visit the “Blogger for a Day” page for a posting from one of the tour participants.

We made it!  Everyone safe and sound.  All luggage was delivered on time.  Flight was uneventful. 

We are all a little tired considering we have been traveling for 30 clock hours.  It is 3pm here in Tiberius.  Everyone is resting in their hotel rooms until dinner at 7pm. 

We are sure you will be hearing from your friends and loved ones as soon as they rest. 

Praise the Lord for having His hand on our trip.  Isn’t it wonderful when you can see His fingerprints.

More posts to follow soon.  Shalom.

If you are reading this post and are one of the folks going on the trip this morning, better get packing!  If not, then you must be one of the many family members, friends or other interested parties who have been or will be following our progress for the next two weeks.

We adopted the calls typical of those heard when approaching the starting line at the beginning of a race as the theme for our preparation phase of the trip.  The three meetings we held in April were designed to prepare the travelers for what they would see and experience as well as to provide information on how to prepare well for the trip.  We called these three meetings, “On Your Mark”, “Get Ready” and “Get Set”.

Much is said in Scripture comparing our efforts as Christians to further the Kingdom of God to running a race.  While the competition of the race itself is exciting (you know, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!), no runner can be successful without proper preparation.  The runner is ultimately responsible for his or her preparation but also important are the supporting team members.  In our case, the team is made up of the family and friends who have prayed and supported the efforts of our travelers these many months.  To you we say thank you for all that you have done to help your runner prepare to run the race well.

As we close the Pre Tour phase of the trip, our ”runners” will meet today at the starting line (airport) and await the starter to shout “GO”.  Please continue to pray as we “GO” with expectation of the wonderful things God will reveal, the places we will see and the things we will hear during the next two weeks. 

We will be arriving in Israel on the 28th at 1:35am Nashville Time.  Once we get thru immigration, secure our luggage and go thru customs, we will travel by bus to Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee.  As soon as possible, we will post a blog entry to let everyone at home know we made it fine.  As God is sovereign over all, most especially this tour, I am confident we will arrive safely.    

Be sure to check the blog daily as we will have a guest post from one of the travelers as well as pictures and video of the day’s events.  We have some special surprises planned as well that we hope will further enhance the trip experience.

Shalom U’vrachot (Peace and Blessing)

As we are now 1 day away from departure now is the time to check for any last minute items you need for the trip.  Below is a reprint of the handout with suggestions for preparation by departure day, Tuesday, May 27th.  

The day we leave – Tuesday, May 27, 2008 (VERY IMPORTANT)

1. Get up early and eat some breakfast.  It will be a very long day with a short time between flights.
2. Have your eTicket confirmation with you to present at the airport for your ticket.
3. You are responsible for your own transportation to the airport.
4. Before you leave your home, double check to be sure your have your passport, eTicket, credit cards, money, luggage and carry on bag.
5. You will be going to the airport at morning rush hour so leave in plenty of time.
6. Be at the airport no later than 2 hours before the flight departs.
7. Be sure you have your passport with you.  If you don’t, you will not be allowed to board the plane.
8. Check you bags inside the terminal at the Continental desk.  Not at the outside curb as they will not accept check ins for international flights.
9. Remember to tell the ticket agent you are flying through to Tel Aviv, Israel; not Newark, NJ.  This is so they will properly tag your checked baggage.
10. Once you have checked your bags, proceed to the departure gate.  Security lines can be very long.  Our rally point will be at the departure gate.  See you there!!!   

As we are now only 4 days away from the travel portion of our journey, we wanted to say a word to those family members and friends of our travelers who are not able to go. 

The travelers on this journey are a wonderful group of people and getting to know each of them has been a privilege and given us great encouragement.  Your friend or loved one will be traveling with some of the best the body of Christ has to offer.  Not because of any great thing they may have done or not because they are great theologians, but simply by the manifest demonstration of the love only God can place in the hearts of His creation. 

We are very diverse group.  Ages range from 15 to those in their 70’s.  Occupations range from professionals, homemakers, home builders and retired individuals to those who have found employment in an area about which they are passionate or where they can help people.  Except for our family, all but two of our travelers have never been to Israel and for some this may be the only opportunity they have to go. 

1. Take a moment to encourage your loved one or friend either privately or publicly.  If you post a blog comment just use their first name and last initial and the message you wish to share. 
2. Pray for them.  Ask God to open our eyes to some truth that will have a lasting impact and bring kingdom value.
3. Follow along during the days we are in the land via the blog.  Stay engaged and connected. 

These are exciting days leading up to our journey on Tuesday and I know that each of us going want to share that excitement with our families and friends back home.  Although you won’t be with us in person, know that you are with us in our hearts and we look forward to our return when we can share first hand all the things we have seen and heard.

Get ready and start saving for 2010? 

As we are now 5 days from departure, now is the time to check for any last minute items you need for the trip.  Below is a reprint of the handout with suggestions for preparation by tomorrow, Friday, May 23.

By Friday, May 23, 2008 (last business day before we leave)

1. Lay out or pack clothing you will be taking with you.  Remember the clothing requirements for some of the religious sites require long pants, capris or skirts and sleeved shirts or blouses.  Also, you must have comfortable shoes.
2. Since this is the last business day before we leave, get whatever amount of cash you are taking with you and your passport, if you keep it in a safe deposit box at the bank.
3. Take only what you think you will need in the way of cash or credit cards. 
4.  Make sure you have ample memory card space or extra memory cards for your camera.  Memory cards in Israel are very expensive.
5. Prepare your carry on bag.  Remember:  whatever you pack, you will carry to Israel.
6. In packing your check baggage, if possible, keep the weight under 50 lbs per bag to avoid additional charges assessed by the airlines.
7. You may wish to pack a sweater or sweatshirt in your carry on bag.  Sometimes the airport and flights are cool.
8. Miscellaneous items:  Power converter, comfortable shoes, snacks, hat, sunscreen, sun glasses, small backpack
9. Keep your prescription medications (in their own bottles), personal items and valuables with you.  Do not pack them in your checked baggage.
10. Don’t forget your bible, notebook, lanyard, pencils or pens.  You will need all for the study portions of our trip.

One week to go!

This will be the last in our series of prayer posts but please keep praying for the trip, the travelers, the guide, the driver and all the others we will be coming in contact with.

This last prayer post really gets to the core issue of the trip:  the condition of our hearts.  While all on the trip have professed a belief in Jesus and identified themselves as one of His followers, there is still alot God can do with our hearts before we leave.  Here are a few suggestions of what you can ask God to do in the preparation of your heart:

1.  Cleanse your heart by dealing with unconfessed sin.

2.  Enlarge your heart love for God and lost people.

3.  Encourage a grateful heart for what Jesus did on the cross.

4.  Foster an anxious heart for His certain return.

5.  Develop a servants heart to show people you care.

Remember:  Although we are going on a study tour of Israel, where ever we are and where ever we go, the follower of Jesus is always on mission.  The key to any successful mission is preparation and the key to preparation for a journey such as ours starts with the heart.

More to follow this week about trip preparation.  Be sure you get the blog address out to your friends and family.  Updates from the land will start on Wednesday, May 28th.