Mixed-Up Days & Nights

Today, I realized that like a newborn baby, my days and nights are mixed-up. Israel is seven hours ahead of us and so my body is still on Israeli time. I went to bed real early last night and now I am wide awake in the wee hours of the morning while my family sleeps. The culture in which we live also has its days and nights mixed-up. Isaiah the prophet described this phenomenon in this verse: Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Paul the Apostle stated this idea this way: 1 Thessalonians 5:5 - "for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

We Are Home!

Around 11:30 pm last night our team returned home to River of God after traveling a long 26 hours or so. As we came into Pennsylvania, we saw our first snow flakes of this winter season. It is hard to believe that we were just swimming in the Dead Sea a few days ago and now we need our coats and gloves. Don't miss this Sunday's services as the overflow of the river that flowed in Israel will be experienced. On Sunday night, we will take time for a few testimonies of how this trip impacted the lives of those who went.

The Final Day

It is hard to believe that our time in Israel has come to an end. Today, we spent time in prayer and praise with a group of believers who are watchman on the walls of Israel. Following our season of intercession for Israel, we had a renewal of wedding vows with Chris and Heidie. Then we were off to the market to barter for souvenirs. Some of group were good barterers while others need a bit more practice. A few moments ago after dinner, everyone took time to recap the trip. Amazing testimonies flowed around the tables of lives impacted by this visit to the land of Israel. We came to Israel as friends from church but we are leaving as family! I am looking forward to our next trip!

The Tabernacle of David

Today was amazing as we had an opportunity to spend a few hours on the temple mount. Although no Bibles could be taken on the mount, which is under Muslim control, we had the blessing of having two walking Bibles guide us through this powerful experience. A lifetime of Biblical studies came together for me as our guides shared the Word and as we prayed on Mount Moriah. Following our temple experience, we spent a few hours with a few believers connected with the Tabernacle of David movement. As we worshiped, prayed and experienced the prophetic voice of God, some final direction came to me for River of God Church and the future of our ministry. It was a glorious moment with Christ in the city of David. The afternoon ended with a trip to Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. During communion, after visiting the empty tomb, we were all full of joy and celebration in our hearts.

Surveying the Walls

Today, I felt a bit like Nehemiah as we surveyed the walls of Jerusalem and touched parts of the wall that the Romans had thrown down in 70 A.D. To walk on the same street that Jesus walked on was a powerful moment. May we all survey our lives like Nehemiah surveyed the walls and may we all walk the road that Jesus mapped out for us.

A Mud Bath

Yesterday, we had an opportunity to take a mud bath at the Dead Sea. The mud was cold with a few stones mixed in but felt refreshing especially after floating in the Dead Sea. We also had the opportunity to see Engedi, an oasis on the west shore of the Dead Sea. It is amazing how valuable and life-giving a fresh water river can be. Without the river, there would be no Engedi. So it is with us - no river - no life! We also took time to visit Masada, Herod's ancient fortress overlooking the Dead Sea. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

The Ascent to Jerusalem

Yesterday, we had the awesome opportunity to ascend to Jerusalem. The trip was inspiring as the song "Jerusalem" sung by John Starnes played on the bus. I was overcome by emotion as I realized we were going to the city where our Lord was crucified. Others on our bus making their first pilgrimage to David's City were also touched powerfully as the city and temple mount came into full view. The view from the Mount of Olives was breathtaking and then we walked down to Gethsemane. After this pilgrimage, we traveled to the Upper Room, where God's River was powerfully poured out. We had a "true" upper room experience.

The River Flows on the Sea of Galilee

Today, we experienced the river of God flowing on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. We boarded a boat similar to what Jesus would have sailed on during his lifetime. After reading the story of Jesus walking on the water during the storm, I declared that the same Jesus who walked on the water was with us today on the boat. After praying for those needing a healing touch or a demonstration of the gospel on the boat, we began to sing and worship and the river flowed onto the boat. The tears flowed down many of our eyes as we considered that Jesus' ministry of healing and deliverance happened all around the hills we were looking at from the boat. Later, we visited the place where Peter stated that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. As we examined the remains of several broken down temples to false gods, the words of Christ that He would build His church upon the rock of Peter's confession and the gates of Hell would not prevail against the church rang true in our hearts and minds. No kingdom of Hell has been able to stop the kingdom of God. The day ended with trips to where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, where He multiplied the bread and fish, and to the ruins of Capernaum where He set-up His ministry headquarters. Today is the Jewish sabbath so an appropriate closing to this blog would be Sabbat Shalom!

Welcome to Israel

Yesterday, we all arrived safely in Israel. After a lengthy plane ride, we arrived at Kiev in the Ukraine for a short layover. I was amazed at the oppression and overall lack of joy by the airport workers, soldiers and natives to the area. Communism is a demoralizing philosophy that enslaves it's citizens. Freedom brings joy! Upon arriving in Israel, we stopped at Jaffa or the Biblical place Joppa. There Peter received the vision that Gentiles could become part of the body of Christ, (Acts 10) and then he went to Caesarea and there they received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gospel went to the Gentiles. Today, we visited Caesarea which was a heathen Gentile place where the palace of Herod was located with all the extravagance of the Roman culture. Peter obeyed God at Joppa and went to the Gentiles while Jonah disobeyed God at Joppa, (Jonah 1:1-3) and ran from preaching to the Gentiles. Standing in the hippodrome in Caesarea where Christian martyrs lost their lives to entertain the ungodly was very moving to me. The most incredible moment for many of us was to stand on top of Mount Carmel where Elijah called down fire and defeated the false prophets of Jezebel and then look out from this same mountain and see the valley of Jezreel where the Battle of Armageddon will take place. Then we went on to Nazareth and visited the hometown of Jesus that overlooks the place where this end time battle will take place. Throughout his childhood and life, Jesus could see where the pinnacle of his life and ministry will take place when He returns a second time and defeats the armies of Antichrist in the valley of Jezreel or Armageddon. For the next few days, we will be staying in a hotel in Tiberias near the Sea of Galilee.