Thanks to everyone who came tonight.  We had a total of 32 folks with 19 of our 22 travelers represented.  We had great food and wonderful fellowship.  The next time we get together will be at the gate in the airport a week from Tuesday. 

Please be sure to let us know if you have any last minute questions.  Keith & Lori.

10 days to go!!!

One of the first things our Christian bus host told us three years ago on our first trip to Israel was that the Gospel has been shared with our Jewish guides and bus drivers 50,000 times.  Maybe a bit of an exaggeration but his point was they had “heard” the Gospel message many times; so many times they could even recounting it better than some Christians! 

I heard a great phrase one time.  “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”  In Christendom’s fervor over numbers, simply building a relationship with people and living Jesus before them doesn’t seem too exciting.  But our Lord saw relationships with people as paramount to revealing their sin while pointing them to the Hope who sat in their midst.  Remember the woman at the well?  Earn the right to share Jesus with someone first.  You will be amazed at the response.

As for our Jewish friends, remember what Paul said in Romans 11:25:  “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery–so that you will not be wise in your own estimation–that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;” For some, the hardening has already been removed while others are still to come.  Let me encourage you while we are there to be a tool for God to use as He softens their heart toward Him.  Let our behavior and countenance speak louder than any words we may use. 

Tomorrow we will close our discussion with prayer of preparation of our hearts.

 

11 days to go!!!

During our family’s first trip to Israel three years ago I sat next to a secular Jewish man from Tel Aviv named Avi (translated in English as “Abraham” or “Abe” for short).  Neither of us could sleep on the flight so we talked…..for about 10 hours!  It was a great conversation.  Israeli Jews are passionate about many things and this makes for great discussions. 

During the conversation, Avi ask to see our itinerary for the tour.  He noted all the places we were visiting and was impressed with the area we were covering in the short time we were to be there.  But he ask a question that will stick with me for the rest of my life.   Avi said, “I see all the places you are going and sites you will see but what about the people.”  It was as if God was tapping us on the shoulder and saying, “Did you forget something?.”  In our excitement over going to the land, we had totally forgotten about the people.  While we did not have much of an opportunity to do so on a structured tour, where we did have opportunity, we were more intentional about interacting with the people God put in our path during the trip. 

What a great and wonderful way God used a secular Jewish gentleman on a very long flight to remind us that its not the land (although the land given to the Jewish people as their possession is important) but its the people who matter most to God. 

Ask God to provide you (or your friend or family member who is going) with the ability to keep the sites and wonders we will visit in perspective and not miss out on the importance God places on people.  To do so will only enhance your time there. 

“What good is the land if the people of the land are dying and going to hell” – Asher Intrater, Messianic Rabbi in Israel.

Tomorrow we will cover part 2 of this topic.

12 days to go!!!

One thing we learned from our previous travels to Israel is before and during our trip, the level of spiritual warfare increases.  The enemy desperately wants to hinder the follower of Jesus in any way and most especially if you are traveling to the land that bears God’s name to be among His chosen people.  What better way to hinder us than to bind us up, steal our joy, discourage us, make us fearful, cast doubt or convince us we are of no use to God.  These are all tactics of the enemy. 

But we, on the other hand, have an advantage.  God makes available to us HIS armor for our protection.  (Ephesians 6:11)  The armor has been fashion by Him, belongs to Him but He gives it to us.  While Ephesians 6:10-17 are familiar verses, don’t miss the important fact that the armor doesn’t come from man but rather belongs to and comes from God.  This fact should encourage us and elevate our confidence, knowing that we are equipped to thwart whatever spiritual battle comes our way.  The warfare is real and you are most certainly experienced some of its effects even now.  The importance of being adequately prepared can not be overemphasized. 

Here are some recommended steps to take to be adequately prepared:

• Be sensitive to the oppression that most always preceeds the battle.
• Meditate on Scripture.  Especially those that emphasizes God’s character, His ability to deliver on His promises and His love for those who are called by His name.  Remember:  His Word is a sword!
• Be prepared and pray!  Pray for the weapons He will deliver to thwart the enemy’s attack.
• Have confidence.  God is faithful and encourages us to be strong and courageous.  (Joshua 1:9)

 

Tomorrow we will discuss the prayer of preparation for the people of the land.

13 days to go!

One aspect of a trip to Israel is getting caught up in the euphoria of being in ”the land.”  We found that to be true last summer when our family of four was on our own in Israel for a little over two weeks.  All of the normal study and prayer life habits seemed to fade as we were busy visiting friends and seeing sites.  It wasn’t until we returned home did we realize the almost intoxicating effect of being in God’s land and among his Covenant people and how the enemy had so easily distracted us from the important part of being in relationship with Jesus. 

The answer?  Prayer of preparation.  Begin today by simply praying that you will not distracted by the sites or the land but rather, while you are there, you will be more focused on the God of the land and the lost people of the land. 

The distraction of the enemy is real but you don’t have to fall prey to his tactics. 

Tomorrow’s topic:  Prayer of Preparation for Spiritual Warfare.

Welcome to the debut blog for the Long Hollow Baptist Church Israel Tour 2008!  During the pre-tour phase, we will use the blog to communicate important information and helpful hints as well as provide a forum for discussion about tour preparations.  During the tour itself, we will use the blog to communicate daily events, thoughts and observations from tour participants, pictures, videos and a whole lot more for our family and friends back home.  Be sure to share this address to all your family and friends so they can stay up to date with our travels. 

By the way, the picture above was taken last year while we were atop the Mount of Beatitudes.  A beautiful garden in the foreground with the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights in the background.  Simply breathtaking!

Below we have reposted the email that went out earlier today.  Be sure to check back for daily posts.

14 days away!!!

We are planning our final get together for Saturday, May 17th at 6pm at Fattoush Cafe in Hendersonville.  The restaurant is in Hendersonville, on Gallatin Road in the City Square shopping center directly across from Captain D’s.  If you are not familiar with Hendersonville or need additional directions, please let us know.  Your family or friends are invited to come get a taste of Mediterrian food.  The restaurant is run by Arab Christians from Nazareth and their menu is very reasonably priced.  I think it will be a great time of fellowship before the trip.  If nothing else, bring your last minute questions. 

Speaking of questions, there have been a few more that we want to share with the group.

CHECKED BAGGAGE

New rules went into effect a couple of weeks ago regarding excess weight and baggage.  You are limited to one suitcase weighing no more than 50 lbs.  If you go over that weight, it is an additional cost so please keep this in mind when packing.  For more information, please click the link below for Continental Airlines’ baggage policies.  http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/default.aspx

CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR CHECK BAG

In addition to your luggage tag on the outside of your bags, the airlines recommend that you include a sheet of paper on the INSIDE of your bag with your name, address, phone number.  In the unlikely event your bags are lost and are not tagged, the information on the inside will allow then to get your bag and its contents back to you.  Please note that this may take several weeks for them to determine ownership.  For more information, please click the link below for Continental Airlines’ baggage policies.  http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/check-in.aspx

CARRY ON ITEMS

Please be sure to check Continental’s policy on carry on items. 

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/carry-on.aspx 

You are allowed one carry on bag (not including a purse, camera or computer bag) not to exceed 40 lbs.  Just remember:  if you pack it, you carry it so be certain it is something you need for the trip. 

POWER CONVERTERS AND ADAPTERS

If you have not had any luck in finding a power converter and adapter, check out this link to Radio Shack.  http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kw=power+converter&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2818337&categoryId=2818337&kwCatId=2032056&cp=2032056.2818119

There are several to chose from.  Be sure you read carefully what devices will run on what converter.  Some are for heated devices like curling irons or hair dryers and others are for electronics like cameras and iPods and the two do not cross with each other.  As far as stores, you can check out the new Radio Shack store in Hendersonville across from Wal-Mart or the store in Rivergate Mall or order on line or ship-to-store option. 

BLOG

To help our friends and family keep track of us while we are in the land, we are setting up a tour blog.  Your family and friends can use it to follow the tour with daily posts from tour participants as well as pictures and videos.  Each day, we will ask for someone in the group to write a short note (100 words or less) of their thoughts for the day, what they saw or experienced.  At the end of our day, we will post those comments to the blog for your family and friends to read and enjoy.  I think this is a great way to stay connected while we are gone as well as build some excitement for a trip in the future.  I will also see if the church will link the blog to the church website for the duration of the trip.  As soon as we have finished the setup, we will get the address out to you to begin sharing with your family and friends.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.  We hope to see you on the 17th.  Keith & Lori.