Israel Trip 2006

2006-03-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

I am home. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your prayers and thoughts while I was gone. I can honestly tell you that this was a trip that I will value for the rest of my life. God Bless You and I will see you soon.

Trey

2006-03-21T10:42:00.000-08:00

Oh boy. I wish you were here. What a day it was today. We went to Bethlehem to see Where Jesus was born and visited the Garden Tomb where HE conquered death, the grave and Hell. This was an amazing day. I hope these next few photos are familiar to you. I hope that one day all those who are reading these words get to see these things first hand. It is absolutely incredible!

This photo is Skull Hill. Calvary. Golgotha. Site of the Crucifixion of My LORD.

This picture is the empty tomb. Believe me, HE is not there, HE is risen! I looked hard for HIM.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. It is a free day and I have several places I want to go. My schedule is the visit the Temple Mount (hopefully, possibly getting to see the Islamic Dome of the Rock). From there I want to visit the Temple Institute. Then off to Yam Vass hem (the Holocaust Museum).
I will be departing Israel at 5:30 a.m Thursday morning (Israel time) with a full day of flight to follow. I will arrive at MEM at approx. 5:00 Thursday afternoon.

I am anxious to get back home, but I also cannot wait to get back to Israel. The stories I learned growing up have come alive in a way I never could have imagined. I have walked in the country where my LORD walked and have seen where they laid HIS body. I have seen with my eyes the empty tomb, no longer having to take someone’s word for it- I am a witness.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who helped me in paying for my trip and for those who prayed for protection for my family and I. Please continue to do so until I get home. I cannot wait to see you and tell you about all my experiences here. Until then, God Bless You!

SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES,
Trey

2006-03-20T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I hope you had a great Sunday. I know Steve did an excellent job and that you were blessed with what the LORD is doing through his ministry.

I am staying in Jerusalem until I depart early Thursday Morning to return home. I will try to update some more, but I do not know if time will allow me to.
I wanted to update you what I did yesterday. The day was spent in the wilderness/desert. What does the Judea Wilderness look like? Here it is:

We visited the Engedi desert, Masada, Jericho, Qumran (location where Dead Sea Scrolls were found), and the Dead Sea. I really enjoyed the day.

Today we retraced the steps of the LORD as they led Him to be crucified. Of course the first thing we saw as we descended the Mt. Of Olives was this spectacular view.

We paused on our journey at the Garden of Gethsemane. I am shown here with a tree that is over 2000 years old. That’s right. It was in the Garden the same time my Savior was. Wow and I get to stand beside it. This next picture is the road to Cauiphas’ House where our LORD was flogged mercilessly by the temple guards. Jesus was drug down this actual road by guards to be beaten. I will share more about this place later on in a classroom setting at church.
We visited several other “traditional” sites such as the Church of the Sepulture. We also traveled down the via dolorosa. The actual sites are up for debate as to where they are located. But in the Church of the Sepulture I told my Father that it did not matter to me where Christ was crucified – HE WAS CRUCIFIED! It does not matter where He was buried – HE’S NOT THERE!

This final picture is one I took as I walked from one location to another. I saw this cross and thought, ”Something so ugly, brought me something so beautiful.” Tomorrow at 4:00 I will preach at the Garden Tomb. I cannot wait. We will be going into Bethlehem and also to the Temple Mount.

I will be honest- This has been a wonderful trip, but I cannot wait to get home to my beautiful wife and wonderful son. See you soon. God Bless.

Blessed in Jerusalem,
Trey

2006-03-18T13:11:00.000-08:00

What a Day! Tonight I am writing you from Jerusalem. I cannot believe I am IN JERUSALEM. This has been a dream of mine for quite some time.

Anyway- Today we started off by visiting the site of the first miracle of our LORD, Cana. It was here he attended a wedding and turned water into wine. I wish my wonder wife was here with me so that we could have renewed our vows (I am, of course hoping that she would still have me after leaving her at home with AJ our son). We went from there to Nazareth, boyhood home of Jesus. It was here we saw where Mary lived and we visited the Church of the Annunciation (if you remember from the news, it was here that firecrackers were shot off- causing an uproar). Here is a photo of what could have been Mary's home. We went from there to Megiddo (Armageddon). This of course is where the battle described in the book of Revelation is fought. Napoleon called it, “the world’s most natural battlefield. I know this will not be the last time I see Megiddo- I will see it again when I accompany my LORD in his triumphant return. Amen. After that we went to bet Shan and toured the discovered ruins of this Biblical City. It has been a busy day, so it is naptime. I hope everyone is well. I wish you were here. See you soon. Have a great Sunday.

Rejoicing in Jerusalem,
Trey

2006-03-17T11:01:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a day. From sunup to sundown (Sabbath starts at sundown today). Today we traveled in the steps of Jesus. To think I am walking in the same locations as Jesus walked is sometimes overwhelming.

First Thing this morning I read the Beatitudes from the Mt. Of Beatitudes. What an absolute honor. I hope I did the passage justice.

Next we traveled to Tel Dan (location of the tribe of Dan). We then went to Hazor. Both these cities are major archeological discoveries validating the Word of God (not that the Word of God even needs validating.

Next it was to the Sea of Galilee. Here we ate St. Peter’s fish, saw a 2000 year old boat (from the time of Christ- maybe even a boat He rode in).

As we were riding the boat, the crew raised “Old Glory” with the Israeli Flag. It was a reminder to me of what has made America great- Her commitment and support of the nation of Israel.

Next it was off to Capernaum (Jesus’ hometown after Nazareth tried to kill Him. Here is a photo of the room Jesus actually stayed in at Peter’s Home - WOW!

I am going to sign off now. I can not wait until tomorrow- It is off to JERUSALEM! The highlight of the trip for me. More info and pictures to follow. God Bless You.

See you soon.

Walking were Jesus walked,

Trey

2006-03-17T10:38:00.000-08:00

Sorry that I didn’t get to update yesterday, but here are some pictures of what we did.
First stop was Caesarea on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It was built by King Herod and was a marvel to see in its heyday.

Next it was to Mt. Carmel. The mountain made famous by Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. If you remember God answered Elijah’s prayer by sending fire from heaven. The first photo is a monument dedicated to Elijah’s victory over and the slaying of the prophets of Baal. The next photo is the view from the top of Mt. Carmel.

Finally here is a photo of the Jordan River.

I cannot begin to tell you how exciting it is to see the stories of the Bible come to life as I see the locations they occurred. Israel is an amazing place and already I can’t wait to come back. I am currently staying in the Caesar Hotel in Tiberius. I of course miss all of you and I wish you were here. God Bless. I will see you soon.

Your pilgrim pastor,
Trey

2006-03-15T11:27:00.000-08:00

I arrived in Tel Aviv at about 8:00 am (your time, IS. is 8 hours ahead) Wednesday. Everything went fine. After spending many cramped hours on an Airplane, I was soooo glad to see the Welcome to Israel sign. I have had the desire to travel to Israel since I was a about 13 years old. So you could say this is a dream come true. I feel an eternal connection to this land and I am excited what God is going to show me while I am here.
My primary objective for today is to catch up on sleep. I have gotten a total of 30 min of sleep since leaving Tues. Morning.
We did get a little tour bit of the historical harbor city of Joppa (remember Jonah). This is also where Peter had to vision from God to extend the message of the Gospel to the Gentiles (Hooray for us!). Tommorrow we will be traveling in North Israel around the Sea of Galilee (I almost feel like I could walk on it).
I am going to sign off for today. I will update whenever I get an opportunity. God Bless You and Keep you. Please keep us in your prayers.
See you soon.
Thrilled to be in the Promised Land,
Trey

Ps Take a look at my view.

2006-03-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

Wow.
I want to thank all of you at Florence for the send off you gave me this morning. I am confident of the protective hand of my Heavenly Father as I travel. Of course continue to keep Angie, AJ and I in your prayers. I can't wait to go, but as you know I also can't wait to get home. God Bless and I will see you soon.
Trey

2006-03-11T18:25:00.000-08:00

My plan is to update this blog on a (hopefully) day to day basis while in Israel. This of course is dependant upon internet access at my hotels. You are invited to drop by and check out my adventures in Israel. Please keep Angie, AJ, and myself in your prayers. God Bless You. See you soon.
Trey

2006-03-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

Just checking to make sure it works. Last minute preps for Israel. ONE of the toughest things about going is leaving my Boy at home. Maybe I will pack him too. I will keep you posted