Archive for February, 2009

Day Two in Israel

Today it rained a great deal, but I still got to baptize 7 of our folks in the River Jordan. I was reminded of the words of God when Jesus was Baptized, “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. I think God says the same thing when each of us proclaim Him at baptism. We went to the Mount of the Beatitudes as well as the place where Jesus fed the 5,000. We also took a short cruise on the sea of Galilee in a Storm, we tried to calm it but to no avail. But I still got to share a Word on the boat. God is Good.

A photo of sunrise on the Sea of Galilee

For the cause of Christ and Shalom from Israel,

Mike

Our First Day in the Holy Land

Our first day in Israel including getting to know our guide who is a Palestinian Christian; there are some 28,000 in Israel. He is from Bethlehem and proudly tells us that He believes he is descended from the Shepherds who visited Jesus that First Christmas. We went to Beshan where early Christians were persecuted in the arena there. Walking with Jesus takes on a different light when we realize the sacrifice that was called from in those early Days. We also went to Capernium, a major port, palace, and court in the Bible Days.

Me and Rhonda at Capernium

It was here Peter baptized Cornelius and his family the first Roman Gentile Converts. This act changed the entire direction of Christianity. It was also here that Paul stood trial before King Herod, and the Governor Festus. Paul preaching Christ and the Resurrection to them was heard my many and then sent to Rome. There is also a block of Marble here with the name Pontious Pilate on it. he was Governor before Festus and as you know, the one who presided over the crucifixion of Jesus. History is more than history here, it is a living faith.

For the Cause of Christ and Shalom,
Mike

Preparing for a trip to Israel

I will be heading to Israel with 21 of our Church family the week of February 24th. One of the unique parts of this trip is that we will be taking a camera that will allow me to bring back video for my Message Series during Lent and Easter. I am really charged with the idea of taking video of the places where Jesus walked, where the Bible stories happened, and then bringing it back to my Church family and making application to our lives today. In a way I will be taking the 5,000 plus folks in my Church family with me. I pray God blesses me, those that are actually with me, and then everyone in our Church as we “Walk with Jesus.” An added part of this trip is that last time I went to Israel I took my Mother with me, a special request from her to go to Israel with her preacher son. It was a season I treasure and will remember knowing that two years ago she transcended into her heavenly life, from streets of Jerusalem to Streets of gold.