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Tuesday June 9th 2009

We have travelled from our hotels in Tiberius to Nazereth. The town is now about 65K and surrounding areas of 100K. At Jesus time it was a small secular village around 200-300 I mentioned that when I preached a year ago in the book of Matthew. We went through Cana to get there and While we were there we visted Nazereth Village which took us back in time to what is very close to the time of Jesus. Today these towns are very modern and are made up of Christian, Jew, and Muslim peoples. There was a Greek Orthodox Church as we drove into town and a Catholic Church in a different location and each church believes their church is built upon the place that Mary recieved the announcment from the angel. While here we saw a farming technique called terracing, a life size Cross, 400 year old olive tree, a threshing floor, wine press, watch tower, 1st century home, yarn making, an olive press, a synagogue and storage room, and a landowner’s home. This museum was built around the year 2000 when during some excavations they found many 1st century items. This hill had never been built upon. This site had all that was needed for cultivation site.

We then travelled to Cana. This is not the original site but the traditional site according to our guide. The original site is not far, but was total destroyed, years later when the Byzantine Empire came they found clay pots where Cana is now. There are two churches here that believe that they have the original clay pots. We stopped here with many renewing their wedding vows for those married couples that desired to do so. Afterward we went to a small shop and celebrated with cake and wine. While in that shop I spoke with Richard Blackaby and his sons about hockey because he is a big Buffalo Sabers fan. Then I went out and spoke with the Mr. & Mrs. Turner about Precept and 1st Baptist Jonesboro. We then spoke about true spirit sent revival and the let me know that I needed to read the book fresh encounter. Then Phyllis Lincer said that she would send me the book and I gave her my card.

We travelled to Caeserea Phillipi which is in the northwest of the Sea of Gallilee we pick up the story of Jesus in Matthew 16:16-18. In this Pagan, Gentile city is where Jesus asked the question of Peter and the disciples, who do people say that I am? Then Peter confesses that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus then states that upon Peter’s initial leadership His church will be built. In this area is also one of the three natural springs that feed into the Jordan River. The water is truly refreshing and clear, coming out from under the rocks from Mt. Hermon.

We then travelled up to the Golan Heights and saw the boarder of Syria. This area was won by the Jews during the six days war in 1967. During the Yom Kippur War there is one town up there that the Jews took with out opposition, but Henry Kinsinger said that the Syrians deserved something for fighting and it was given to them although they moved the town to a different location. We travelled south along the Golan Heights which is a land of rock, and largely barren with some kibbutz along the way.
Tomorrow we are checking out of our hotels and heading to the Dead Sea area. This place is largely desert and it will be very hot.  The past two days have been very hot and it is very  draining physically and spiritually. My prayers and love to my family and friends.

DD

Today we toured the city of Tel Aviv. This city is celebrating it’s 100th year anniversary this year. We went to the spot that it was founded by a Jew group of 60 people. The city was founded under the leadership of Theodore Hetzel he was a Zionist.  Near the same spot we saw the exact building where Israel declared itself a nation in 1948 under the leadership of Ben Gurion. The announcment was so loosely planned that they had to ask for chairs and rugs and even a microphone to make the announcement. The Jewish people in attendance were so excited that they signed there names to the scroll before the charter was ever written. Ben Gurion then announce “today we sing and dance and tomorrow we are at war” because all of the surrounding nations were ready to put down the Israeli nation before it was even shall we say “born again.” We then when to where the 6th Prime Minister of Israel Yisak Rabim was assisinated. He was the first nationally born Prime Minister, all those before him were born outside of Israel most of them in Eurpoe. The time periods from 1800’s to the present would be modern history for the nation and people of Israel.

We then travelled to the well known, ancient, fishing port, biblical town, of Joffa (Joppa).  Side note… I was able to take a nice jog down to Joppa from our hotel this morning during the sunrise it was interesting. (more on the later) You will remember that this is where Jonah in chapter one went to catch a boat to go to Tarshish after being told by God to go to Nineveh.  This is also the town where Peter the disciple came and revived the woman name Dorcas in Acts chapters 9-10. After that Peter stayed many days with Simon the Tanner and we saw was is the traditional site of that house, but it is not believe to be the actual house. Not far from that site is an archaeological dig where they found a gate leading into the city dating back to Ramses II or 1200 BC. This would be considered ancient history. I will try to post more pictures, but I am having difficulty because of connection issues.

Graham's 1st goal

Today was the last soccer game for our three superstars. In front of a cheering crowd including their Grandpa and Grandma Delmotte in from Arizona. The morning began with Jake team playing against the parent. Jake put the kids on the score board first with agoal and the kids ended up beating the parents 4 to 1. Jake did take a ball in the chest from one of the parents that made him wince, but got right back in the game. Way to go Jake.   

Sydney and Graham played against the parents also and not long into the first half Graham scored his first goal. The picture to the left is what he was doing after the goal. Grandpa took this picture as he was trying to retrive the ball after he scored throug the legs of one of his teammates.  Later Graham scored again so each of our superstars scored the first and second goals in the same game. Thanks to all the friends that have come out to cheer our children during this soccer season.

Sydney, Jake, Graham

Early this evening we had some make-up soccer games. Normally the games are on Saturday and Jake plays at 9:00am and then Sydney and Graham play at 10:00am.  This evening both of them played at the same time just one field apart. Jake’s game got started first and so I decided that I would go and watch Jake’s game first. He was playing forward and doing very well.  At half time then I went to watch Sydney and Graham. When I arrived at their field I was told that Sydney had scored and she just stopped and smiled as everyone cheered. People commented on how priceless it was to see her facial expression. It was her first goal and of course I missed it, not to mention that I did not have the camera. As I watched Sydney and Graham after a little while some of our friends who had come to watch our kids came from Jake’s game and said that Jake had scored two goals, these were his first goals also and of course I missed them too.  All is not lost, rather than running to Jake’s game to see if he would get the “hat trick” (do they have that in soccer?) I stayed put and Sydney scored her second goal and I was able to see and cheer.  We had a great night at the soccer field and I still might be able to catch Graham’s first goal that he scores on the opposing team. Great fun, enjoying them while their young.

DD

Recently I have been reading through the first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles. If you are familiar with your Bible, you will know that these first 9 chapters are primarily genealogies. It can be a rather tedious endeavor to read names of people that you can hardly pronounce, but there is a wonderful truth that I took from my reading this time.  These genealogies caused me to ponder on my own family.  I began to thank God for the wonderful family that I have been able to be apart.  I am thankful for my wonderful wife who is such a treasure that I am still finding hidden gems that can only be known and discovered by spending years together.  I am looking forward to more expeditions. I am thankful for my four precious children who bring me incredible joy and pleasure as I see them grow and learn.  I am thankful for my wonderful parents who sacrificed, guided, and taught me what it means to be a man that is willing to accept responsibility and not accept failure where it will result in quitting. I am thankful for my sisters who help and shape me into who I am and I am so proud of them; in who they are and what they do.  I am thankful my last living grandmother in whom sincere faith resides and has been passed down to so many. I am thankful for all my in-laws who teach me what it means hospitable and flexible. I am thankful for all my extended family aunts, uncles, cousins, and their children, whom I think about and pray for that the Lord would be gracious to them and that each one of our names of my whole family would not only be listed in a family tree, but that each one would be found in what the Bible calls the Book of Life Revelation 20:15. Not everyone’s name is written in the Book of Life, but can be by following what was written in the previous post from April 12th.

DD

Today, believers celebrate the fact that Jesus conquered sin, death, and the grave. But it means nothing to you if…

1. You have never acknowledge your sin that has placed you in a helpless condition before a holy God.

2. You have never admitted that you have a need to be saved and believed that Jesus died on the cross to be your Savior.

3. You have never come to Jesus in prayer and asked Him to be your Savior and forgive you of your sins.

4. You have never repented of your sin.

5. You have never surrendered your life to Jesus.

6. You have never confessed Jesus before men.

Jesus work is finished, but many believe that his death on the cross guarantees them forgiveness of sins automatically. God is not impersonal, he does not impose forgiveness. He offers forgiveness, salvation, peace, and eternal life in the name of Jesus Christ.  You cannot earn it, but you must ask for it. Ask him now and you will be able to truly celebrate the conquering of sin, death, and the grave by Jesus.

(Mt 28:1-7) ¹Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. ²And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. ³And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. ⁴The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. ⁵The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. ⁶“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. ⁷“Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

DD

Today was the annual Easter Egg hunt at church. 

Easter Egg Hunt 2009

Later in the day we had our own version of Opening Day 2009.

Opening Day 2009