It is 6:30 am and we are in the City of Brotherly Love. It was so nice to touch down in the USA this morning.
Just to let you know, the video for our first day in Jerusalem will be up in about an hour.
God Bless
Tony
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Journey Home Has Begun
We left Jerusalem this morning from the Damascus Gate and travelled an hour to Joppa which is just to the north of Tel Aviv.
And yes, this is the city that Jonah decided to travel to when the Lord told him to go to Nineveh. And you know how that turned out.
This is also the city where Peter healed Tabitha.
It's been an unbelievable experience to walk in the cities of the Bible. It really does bring the pages to life in a new way.
And yes, this is the city that Jonah decided to travel to when the Lord told him to go to Nineveh. And you know how that turned out.
This is also the city where Peter healed Tabitha.
It's been an unbelievable experience to walk in the cities of the Bible. It really does bring the pages to life in a new way.
Lunch in Joffa (Joppa)
Here eating lunch in Joffa just outside Tel Aviv with Afif Saba and his nephew.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Last Post from Jerusalem
Yes, this will be our last post from Jerusalem. Tomorrow is our last day and we will be heading back to Tel Aviv in the evening to fly home.
So let me quickly catch you up on the last 2 days...
Yesterday began at Herod's mountain-top fortress, Masada. Herod never used it personally, but it was used 70 years later during the Jewish Uprising against the Romans. The pictures and video will tell the story best, but I have included a link below for more information.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/masada.html
Next we visited Qumran and the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls. How remarkable that the Word was preserved for over 2000 years.
Today began at the Garden Tomb. It was unbelievable to look upon Golgotha with my own eyes and then step into the tomb where Jesus was resurrected. A truly awe inspiring moment that cannot be described.
Oh, and then we met Gov. Mike Huckabee who was there as well. Imagine that; we travelled 6300 miles to see Huckabee.
Then we spent the afternoon at the Holocaust Museum. There was not a dry eye in our group. And then to honor the 1.5 million children that died, you go into a room with 6 candles that are reflected on hundreds of mirrors to give the illusion of a million candles burning for those children. All this while the names and ages of each of the children are read.
This trip has had a profound effect on me in regards to my relationship with God and the people of Israel. I am fired up to help reach the Arabs in Nazareth along side Afif and I hope you are as well.
God Bless and we will see you in Charleston.
Tony
So let me quickly catch you up on the last 2 days...
Yesterday began at Herod's mountain-top fortress, Masada. Herod never used it personally, but it was used 70 years later during the Jewish Uprising against the Romans. The pictures and video will tell the story best, but I have included a link below for more information.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/masada.html
Next we visited Qumran and the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls. How remarkable that the Word was preserved for over 2000 years.
Today began at the Garden Tomb. It was unbelievable to look upon Golgotha with my own eyes and then step into the tomb where Jesus was resurrected. A truly awe inspiring moment that cannot be described.
Oh, and then we met Gov. Mike Huckabee who was there as well. Imagine that; we travelled 6300 miles to see Huckabee.
Then we spent the afternoon at the Holocaust Museum. There was not a dry eye in our group. And then to honor the 1.5 million children that died, you go into a room with 6 candles that are reflected on hundreds of mirrors to give the illusion of a million candles burning for those children. All this while the names and ages of each of the children are read.
This trip has had a profound effect on me in regards to my relationship with God and the people of Israel. I am fired up to help reach the Arabs in Nazareth along side Afif and I hope you are as well.
God Bless and we will see you in Charleston.
Tony
Monday, February 20, 2012
Jerusalem Day 1
What an awesome day!
Out day began atop the Mt. of Olives and witness the place where it is believed that Jesus ascended to heaven. From there it was a steep downhill walk toward the city walls. But first we stopped and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. I don't know that I've ever felt a closer presence to the Lord. It was incredible to see.
It was interesting to see the Eastern Gate. This is the gate in the city wall (which has stood for well over 2000 years) where Jesus is expected to enter the city. As many of you know, the gate has been sealed with cement and limestone rock about 10 feet thick. I'm hope that I get to see Jesus open that gate. Oh, wait; we will!!!
We then entered the city through the Zion gate at Mt. Zion and saw the church dedicated to King David. From there, it was to the place that was built about 900 years ago to commemorate the Last Supper. The reason it's only 900 years old is because as different countries and religious groups have occupied the city, they have decimated much of it and only about 20% of the original city around Jesus' time still exists. The Last Supper Room is located within about 50 yards to the east or west of where, the actual Upper Room was located. We had prayer, devotion and the Lord's Supper.
From there we were able to go to the Wailing Wall (or Western Wall) which is the last remaining piece of Herod's Temple which is where Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers. This wall is significant to the Jews. I will explain this as succinctly as possible.
You see, the reason why that particular piece of land, on which now stands the Dome of the Rock mosque, is because of that rock. The mosque (and formerly Herod's temple) covers the stone on which Abraham took Issac to sacrifice him to God in Genesis. Of course, the muslims want it because they believe that it was Ishmael that Abraham sacrificed. That is where the two religions diverge in history.
Well, that Western Wall, when Herod's Temple was built, was closest to the Foundation Rock. So therefore, the Jews pray at the wall as it is the closest place to the rock.
And that is your history lesson for today.
Unfortunately, due to internet restrictions at our hotel, It is going to be very difficult to upload video and pictures until we are back in the states. But I promise that I will keep you up to date by trying to explain the beauty of this place as we experience it. And I will upload all of the video when we are back so that we can all talk about it when we see each other on Sunday.
Everyone is doing well and while this is a wonderful experience, we all miss home and can't wait to see you all again!
God Bless and I will talk to you tomorrow!!
Tony
Out day began atop the Mt. of Olives and witness the place where it is believed that Jesus ascended to heaven. From there it was a steep downhill walk toward the city walls. But first we stopped and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. I don't know that I've ever felt a closer presence to the Lord. It was incredible to see.
It was interesting to see the Eastern Gate. This is the gate in the city wall (which has stood for well over 2000 years) where Jesus is expected to enter the city. As many of you know, the gate has been sealed with cement and limestone rock about 10 feet thick. I'm hope that I get to see Jesus open that gate. Oh, wait; we will!!!
We then entered the city through the Zion gate at Mt. Zion and saw the church dedicated to King David. From there, it was to the place that was built about 900 years ago to commemorate the Last Supper. The reason it's only 900 years old is because as different countries and religious groups have occupied the city, they have decimated much of it and only about 20% of the original city around Jesus' time still exists. The Last Supper Room is located within about 50 yards to the east or west of where, the actual Upper Room was located. We had prayer, devotion and the Lord's Supper.
From there we were able to go to the Wailing Wall (or Western Wall) which is the last remaining piece of Herod's Temple which is where Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers. This wall is significant to the Jews. I will explain this as succinctly as possible.
You see, the reason why that particular piece of land, on which now stands the Dome of the Rock mosque, is because of that rock. The mosque (and formerly Herod's temple) covers the stone on which Abraham took Issac to sacrifice him to God in Genesis. Of course, the muslims want it because they believe that it was Ishmael that Abraham sacrificed. That is where the two religions diverge in history.
Well, that Western Wall, when Herod's Temple was built, was closest to the Foundation Rock. So therefore, the Jews pray at the wall as it is the closest place to the rock.
And that is your history lesson for today.
Unfortunately, due to internet restrictions at our hotel, It is going to be very difficult to upload video and pictures until we are back in the states. But I promise that I will keep you up to date by trying to explain the beauty of this place as we experience it. And I will upload all of the video when we are back so that we can all talk about it when we see each other on Sunday.
Everyone is doing well and while this is a wonderful experience, we all miss home and can't wait to see you all again!
God Bless and I will talk to you tomorrow!!
Tony
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Caption Contest
OK, so I know I wasn't going to post anymore today, but this is worth it.
Send me the funniest caption to the picture below and I'll put it in next Sunday morning's announcement slides.
Submit your caption in the comments section.
Send me the funniest caption to the picture below and I'll put it in next Sunday morning's announcement slides.
Submit your caption in the comments section.
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