Shalom Ya'll

Welcome to my new blog! I'm excited about this chance to communicate with you on a variety of subjects. Some biblical...some cultural...and I may even give a few sports' opinions from time to time. Most of all it will give us an opportunity to connect and talk about subjects we all care about.

So here we go with my first post...from Israel! So as we say in Texas, Shalom Ya'll. I'm leading a group of 150 on a trip of a lifetime through the Holy Land. Deb and I have been visiting here since way back in the 1970's. A lot has changed since then, but many things are just the same. We love coming here again and again because it always feels like "home." In a sense, Israel is the spiritual home of all believers. Our faith was born here. God's Word was given here. Jesus walked here. And our eternal future is unveiled here. As Christ followers, we have a vested interest in Israel past, present, and future.

This year, Israel is celebrating its 60th year of rebirth as a nation. The state of Israel was established in 1948 after centuries of Jewish dispersion. The very existence of Israel is a miracle of history and it is exciting to be a part of this very important celebration of freedom. My love for Israel is strong and I am grateful for the spiritual heritage we discover each time we are here. I like to say a trip to the Holy Land is like a front row seat to the Bible. The Word of the God comes alive when you see this place up close and personal. There is a very special sense of God's presence when we visit the lands of the Bible. I really hope you can come here someday soon. But til you do, let me tell you about a few of our experiences so far...

Joppa

We began on the Mediterranean Sea at a place called Joppa where Jonah set sail for Tarshish which was 180 degrees in the opposite direction from where God told him to go. Jonah was a reluctant, disobedient prophet who found it very dangerous to try to run from God. He ended up tossed from the ship, swallowed by a great fish where he spent three days in a sleazy, underwater hotel sleeping on a "foam, blubber mattress." He ultimately repented and God gave him another chance to obey Him which he did and God used him to bring about revival in a very pagan city. Also at Joppa, Simon Peter in the New Testament was led by the Spirit to share Christ with a God fearing Roman Centurion. Even though this soldier was responsive and ready to know about Jesus, God spent a great deal of time working on Simon Peter's heart to get him ready to go. Finally after sending Peter a vision, Peter obeyed God and led this man to Christ. It is one of the greatest conversions of the New Testament.

The point of these two stories, which took place in the same place centuries apart, is that God wants to get His Word to the world. He has called us all to share our faith and to tell people about Jesus. There is an incredible blessing when we obey Him and make ourselves available to the work of His spirit in us. As we stood by the Mediterranean Sea looking into distant horizons, I was reminded once again how important it is to do everything possible in our own generation to tell the Good News.

Ok so that's enough for today but I will be posting and telling you more about our second day in Israel as soon as possible. God bless you and... and oh by the way Happy Father's Day!