Worship On the Sea

TOUR DAY 2

What a day! We began the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The trip was ordained by God, it began with a schedule change that Dr. Leventhal was unaware of until the last second. If you have ever been in charge of an itinerary you know the stress that unforeseen changes can cause. However we just went with it and got on the boat that we were not originally destined for.

We boarded the boat and headed out onto the sea, it was spectacular! The waters were calm, the sun was shinning, and the breeze was blowing; a masterpiece created by Jehova Himself.

Once we reach approximately half way across the sea the captain cut the boat off and gave us a neat demonstration of how the fishermen would have cast their nets 2,000 years ago. Then the boat ride took a turn that will forever leave an impression in my mind and on my heart.

The captain informs us that he is the only tour captain that believes in Yeshua
on the sea. He then leads us in the most incredible worship that I have ever been a part of. Passion can’t hold a flame to what we experienced on this day, on this sea, with our Saviour.

Revelation 4:8 – Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

View From The Boat

 

Click on the link to share in our worship experience;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2cwn42pLRs

Caesarea and Tel Megiddo

TOUR DAY 1

Today we leave Tel Aviv and head north up the west coast of Israel. As we traveled up the coast the Mediterranean Sea stayed on our left for most of the trip. The drive was uneventful but it ended with us arriving at Caesarea.

Cesarea Coliseum

Caesarea boasts some amazing building projects. Below are a few of them;

~The first man-made port recorded in human history built by King Herod!

~A Coliseum that was larger than the one in Rome.

~A Hipodrome used for chariot races and gladiator fights.

~An aqueduct system that delivered water from miles away to this coastline town.

We also visited Tel Megiddo. In this one place 25 different civilizations took up residence through war and conquest. Through the years excavations have revealed some interesting remnants of these civilizations, including the entrance gate from the time of King Solomon.

Probably the most interesting fact of Tel Megiddo rests below the city in the Jezreel Valley. This valley is where the Book of Revelation reveals that all the kings of the world will gather and plot to wage war against Christ.

Jezreel Valley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 16:16 – Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

 

International Flight Plan Gone Wrong

Date: 6-22-2011

It is Sunday afternoon and we are planning on leaving early Monday morning so I decide to put into action “International Flight Plan.” My plan was simple, stay up all night! What a genius plan! I will spend all night working and watching TV, this way when I get on the ten-hour flight to Tel Aviv I will be so tired that sleep will have to be my companion.

Well stage one of the plan was executed flawlessly, I managed to stay up all night. The problem arose during stage two. I had fallen asleep on the flight from Atlanta to Newark NJ, so when I boarded the flight to Tel Aviv I was not tired, at least my body would not let me sleep.

So when I arrived in Israel I was wiped out! Thank goodness the tour does not start until the following day, so I was able to take a nap at the hotel and recoup. Stay tuned as the tour gets started tomorrow.

Excitement Crushed By Urgency

The trip is less than 72 hours away; a return trip to the Holy Land! Everything about this trip screams excitement. I get to return to the place where it all began and where it will all culminate. Israel, Jerusalem, Masada, The Dead Sea, The Qumran Cave, and The Via Dolorosa. The places call to my heart, my memory faded by a year gone by will soon be flooded with freshness and vividness. My father in law awaits my arrival and this time I get to bring three of my college students! All signs point to a trip that I simply can’t wait for.

Excitement should be the feeling flowing through my veins, however urgency has damned up the flow. The urgency of the moment, the demands of today have stifled all excitement. What are the demands? They are; the process of raising funds for Israel, raising funds for the student center, and of course managing through another major move for Bridge 544. All of these factors carry the urgency that has left me empty and unable to feel the excitement of Israel. Over the past few weeks we have moved our student center from an old space to a brand new location. Even the move has not been as enjoyable as it should have been, the approaching departure for Israel has not only been excitement free it has robbed me of the joy of today’s project. It has been an approaching freight train threatening to rob me from the ability to complete the task of moving into our new building. I feel exhausted. Empty.

I know God is moving and I know these 3 weeks will be amazing. I know it, I am just ready to feel it.

Here is a picture of the beginning of our new student center…

Israel Countdown

Have you ever been on a long road trip? You know that feeling when your destination is getting closer but it still feels like you will never arrive. Time stands still as you wait for the next mile marker to past by your window. Just when you think the exit will never arrive, finally you see your exit! When you get off the highway a sinking feeling washes over you, another 20 miles till we arrive at our destination.

Well, that is kind of how I feel right now as Israel approaches. I know it is close however the mile markers are slow in coming and they taunt me as they slowly pass. Time itself seems to have become my enemy. After spending an entire month in the Holy Land last year my appetitie to return equals that of a man who has spent a week in the desert with no water. This cotton mouth will only be quenched when the plane touches down in Tel Aviv. For now I wait…time creeps slowly by and I dream of the day I return to the most amazing place on this planet.

Israel, please be safe while I am away and take care of my Father-in-law. I will return to you soon and we will reunite and spend a wonderful three weeks together in the sun of our Lord.