Run the Race

Our First Full Day In Israel

Today, our first full day in Israel, was nearly indescribable. My head and heart are reeling from the opportunity to "live the text" and be immersed in the biblical story. We stood on or near the stories of Samson and David & Goliath, literally walking the Shephelah valleys, standing amidst the ruins of Zorah and two other ancient Tels. We held in our hands the fiery remains of God's judgment on Bet Shemesh and descended into a 7000 cubic foot cistern, possibly dating to the time of King Hezekiah. It was there I realized that I was to be God's voice and recited a passage from Jeremiah 2:13. I can't begin to describe that moment. To hear God's word speak in context, "in the story," was overwhelming. I'll never forget it.

What came next was the surprise Ray mentioned before leaving the Atlanta airport. We saw today something so new, so remarkable that it has set the sholarly world on its ear. Ray said the archaeologist who discoverd it will be world famous,

relating the importance to the Israel's history and culture. I'll share more about this when I've better processed the details. I will say it was fun watching the Rabbi dance with joy at the discovery. (It was the first time he'd seen it)

One of our community is in the hospital today. Too much heat and exertion and not enough water. We pray for her and ask you to join with us.

Speaking of community, there have been many key themes today but perhaps the overarching one has been Community. It is a vital part of the biblical story and absolutely necessary for us to bring God's love to the Coastal Plain (the rest of the world whom God loves) I'm going to spend a lifetime processing that one.

Tonight we are on the shore of the Dead Sea in a fantastic hotel named, Isrotel Dead Sea. Today's hiking was a bit strenuous and my roommate and I are exhausted.

A City on a Hill

I stood today on Tel Gezer within a City Gate that dates back to King Solomon's time. We then looked at Standing Stones which were there 800 years before Abraham. Being here "in" the biblical story is just beyond words. Ray taught many things in the short time we had but perhaps the most riveting was the teaching on the City Gates and the poor or "daughters" among us. How are we treating them. Is our/your church a City Gate which provides help, salvation and hope? How will God judge us?

 

The Land of Israel

I have been blessed with what I know will be one of the most meaningful opportunities of my life. Beginning Wednesday, September 9, I will spend sixteen days touring the land of Israel. Leading the group is world-class teacher and historian, Ray VanderLaan. His ministry, "That the World May Know", DVD Series, CDs and books have literally transformed the way I read and understand the Bible. And now to think I have the rare privilege of spending over two weeks in such an historically important place with a teacher and leader who knows the history and culture like few others is just beyond my ability to describe. What I can say is that I have chosen to say "Goodbye" to my current self because the person that returns is certain to be different!

Opportunities to travel in Israel are not unusual. A Google search for "Israel Tours" yielded 6,840,000 results! Opportunities to travel with "That the World May Know", however, are far less common. And the honor to have Ray as one's "Rabbi" is quite rare. The former makes this is a very special journey. The latter makes it "Once in a Lifetime".

Preparation for this Israel Tour has been intense. I only learned of the opportunity five weeks ago. The group I am joining has had from six months to one year to study the Guide, memorize scripture and condition for what the travel documents describe as "intense physical activity". "Intense" translates to an average of 125 miles of hiking per week in what will sometimes be extreme conditions. I am actually the most excited about this part. It means that what for most would be a helicopter shot seen on the History Channel will for me be an on the ground experience!

I have had the joy of traveling many parts of this world, experiencing the people, culture and history first hand. But this journey will be like no other and the total experience will, I am quite sure, take its place at the top of my list.