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What a trip! It is hard to believe that
this was our last day. We began our day at the Valley of Elah, where the
epic battle between David and Goliath took place. As Pastor Ferrell read
from 1 Samuel 17, it was not hard to picture the scene before us as the Lord
won the battle over the Philistines, using a willing teenage shepherd boy with
a sling in his hand. We all stooped down and picked up several smooth
stones for a memorial to take home, reminding us of what God accomplished that
day. It is also a great reminder for us as believers to put our trust in
Almighty God at all times and circumstances.
We also got to take a complete tour of the
Jewish Holocaust museum and Dead Sea Scrolls museum. The holocaust museum
was very moving and displayed the anguish and hopelessness of living as a Jew
during such a horrible time. The children's memorial left us speechless.
They set up candles in a room filled with mirrors that reflected 1.5
million flames around you, commemorating all of the children who died with
their families. As you leave the museum, you see the modern city of
Jerusalem, still thriving and moving on...a testament that the Nazi's did not
prevail. Our next stop was the Dead Sea Scrolls Museum. This was absolutely
fascinating for us to see God's Word preserved!
We finished our day touring the Garden Tomb
and site of Christ's crucifixion at Golgotha, or Calvary. This was a
highlight for all us! I simply cannot think of a better way to end our
time together in Israel. The Gospel was clearly seen and proclaimed as
Pastor Ferrell preached the Word to us. We ended with taking communion
together outside the Garden Tomb as we celebrated the death, burial, and
resurrection of our Lord! He is risen indeed!
As we wrap up our trip, Luke 24:13-45 comes to
mind. The death-conquering Christ walks with two unsuspecting followers
of Christ on the road to Emmaus. Little did they know that their
crucified and resurrected Lord was with them and would take them through the
Scriptures. Christ revealed to them the Bible is not merely a collection
of stories, prophecies, poetry, and letters. This Bible is about a
Person…about a Redeemer! This Scripture is about Christ! As the two
men sat down to eat with Christ, the Text proclaimed that their eyes were
opened to His true identity. Many
believe that the moment of recognition came when, as Christ broke the bread,
they saw His nail-pierced hands. That may well have been. But they were
completely and utterly amazed! Christ
is risen! He is risen indeed! That explosive moment was burned into
their minds for eternity. And then He was gone. They asked each other, “Were
not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened
the Scriptures to us?”
I truly hope that will be our statement
regarding our time in the Word and with each other as we have traced the steps
of Christ and been impacted by His Truth! This trip has been the experience of
a lifetime. We have seen God break us and shape us. We have seen God truly
change us from the inside out. As we return, we commit to focus on what God did
in us and through us. This was truly the trip of lifetime that we will not soon
forget!
Tomorrow, our day starts very early, as we
will spend the entire day traveling back to Virginia. Thank you for your
support and prayers!
Pastor Stephen
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