Craig’s GodStuff Blog

Cold, Clean Water

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 12:08:33 -0800

Today was our last full day in Israel. It is with a sense of bittersweet joy that we prepare to leave a place that now is beginning to feel familiar. Galilee has been refreshing and renewing. No wonder Jesus seldom left here. We began by taking a tour of a town Jesus cursed, Chorazim. Just like Jesus said...gone. From there we traveled north in view of Lebanon for a visit at Caesarea Philippi. This is where the Banias spring begins the flow to the Jordan River. Peter confessed Christ as the Messiah in this northern city. From there we entered the Golan Heights. After passing a few Druze villages we ascended to a great observation point at Mt. tabor. where we viewed Lebanon, Syria and Israel from one point. After our descent and some apples from the local Druze, we ate lunch and made our way to Kursi, the home of the Gerasene Demoniac. No pigs to be found. We ended the afternoon at the Jordan River for the Renewal of Baptism so many had waited for all week. One by one, most of our pilgrims made their way to the VERY COLD WATER and took the plunge at the hands of Pastor Craig. After washing off the Jordan (but not the renewal), we departed for our St. Peter fish dinner at En Gev. Tomorrow we begin the journey home via Nazareth, Megiddo and Mt. Carmel where Ba’al is still in the restroom. After dinner in Tel Aviv we leave for the airport. This will be the last sign on for this pilgrimage. Be blessed in every way. LAX, here we come....as well as a bacon cheeseburger. Here are all the pictures from the near final day.

Jesus Proper

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 10:30:21 -0800

We began a long journey today from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee. First a stop at Ancient Bethany to see Lazarus’ Tomb. From there to the oldest inhabited city in the world...Jericho. There we saw a sample of Zaccheaus’ Tree and visited Mt. Temptation, where Jesus went for forty days following his baptism. We then began the trek north stopping first at the Church of the Multiplication where Jesus fed the 5000. A short ride from there was where Jesus appeared to Peter after his resurrection. We then stopped at Capernaum and Jesus’ home base during his ministry. We ended the day at the Church of the Beatitudes. A long day in Jesus’ footsteps, but one of the most rewarding as well. We are staying at a Kibbutz north of Tiberius. Tomorrow we take our last tour before our last night here. Friday night we head home. Here are the pictures from today that tell it all.

Dead...Sea, That Is

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 11:35:24 -0800

Today started like any other day on our pilgrimage. Early morning prayer and then off for a full day. We visited more sites today of a non-biblical nature than we have on any other day of this trip. We started by running into a bedouin with camel who obliged our group to rides and pictures. From there we traveled south to Masada, the ancient Jewish fortress. It is the site of how the “Second Temple Era” came to a tragic end. We then left for the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and spotted a bunch of great wildlife and the spring King David drank from when fleeing King Saul. We were then off for Qumran, the home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We ended the day with a little dip in the Dead Sea. When you look at the pictures consider the miraculous powers of the Dead Sea to roll back the clock!

Pilgrims & Bedouins

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 10:51:22 -0800

We began the day in “nomads” land...Beersheva. It is an ancient city that has played host to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We began by touring the ruins of the ancient city within sight of the modern city. What a blessing it was to walk on the ground of the patriarchs. From there we traveled north to the Center for Bedouin Culture. We learned about these desert wanderers and ate their food...both good stuff. From there we began heading back to Jerusalem. On the way we stopped at the site of David’s battle with Goliath and Rachel’s Tomb. Finally, we ended the day at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute. Our conversations there were stimulating and helpful as the dust of our pilgrimage is beginning to settle. We are back in Jerusalem for the evening and then off to Masada & Dead Sea tomorrow. Tomorrow evening will be our last evening in Jerusalem until we see her again. Here are all the pictures for the day. Be sure to sing along with Jan...

George & Hebron

Sun, 3 Jan 2010 11:47:06 -0800

After a tumultuous day yesterday of being in so many holy places, we found some rest today. We did not have to be up early for a change, so we made our way at the only place a Protestant Christian can get communion in Jerusalem...St. George Episcopal Cathedral. We had a wonderful time of worship which seemed to be strangely in context like it has never been. We then made our way with haste to Hebron. There we met the Christian Peacemaking Team who do “mediation” between the Israelis and Palestinians in one of the most hostile places we have visited. The IDF presence is overwhelming, but so is the Palestinian degree of hostility. Both feed off each other to a difficult “head”. After hearing of the work that the CPT does, we set off for the Tomb of Abraham and viewed a holy site for Christians, Jews and Muslims. Here in Hebron are the patriarchs and matriarchs of the three great faiths buried. Brief, but good. Did I mention the the falafel for only four shekels? That is about a buck!! Hebron Rocks! See the pictures from the day here. Also...don’t forget to visit http://sothumcisrael2010.shutterfly.com.