MOVING FORWARD - pastor mike landry

What a great day! Our crew left the hotel early this morning and covered a lot of territory here in northern Israel. I'll highlight the locations below and share a thought or two about each.

1. Tel Dan - Dan is the northern most location of Israel and is the site of some major springs that contribute to the formation of the Jordan River. Beautiful greenery and such sparkling water. But the highlight was a visit to one of the high places where the Canaanites and the Northern Kingdom of Israel use to worship false gods. It was a cold and rainy experience but also an eerie one. The archaelogical ruins are in great shape and gave us a great picture of life 4000 years ago.

Just a thought...You have to wonder how the people who were chosen by God could see so much of God's handiwork over the years and then still insist on approaching God on their own terms. They were so rebellious and stubborn and independent. Wait - we still do the same thing. Will we ever learn this lesson.

2. Caesarea Phillipi - this is the place where Peter called Jesus "the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus responded by telling him that He would build His church and that the "gates of hell would not prevail against it". Interesting fact is that there was a mamouth cave at this location that was once believed to be so deep that it was referred to as the "gates of hell." What a visual image of Jesus statement! I think the disciples got it.

Just a thought...Jesus used visuals like this "gates of hell" to communicate His message. I think this may just be one of the best lessons we could ever learn about teaching. Use creative visual aids - Jesus did it, and He was the best teacher ever.

3. Jordan River baptism - what a great moment. Pastor Bill Hild and I baptized 12 people in some very cold water. Some were being baptized for the very first time and it was incredible. Others were wanting to publically rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ - WOW! Obviously this was a very meaningful moment for those being baptized and I was so proud of them. But also, those watching this event were visibly moved and had an increased awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Just a thought - God is all about us going public in our relationship with God. Why would a person not want to be baptized when they've experienced the amazing grace and forgiveness of God? Also, have you ever thought about the fact that whenever you or I obey God in a very visible way that it significantly contributes to the sensitivity of others concerning the activity of God? You know, we are meant to be salt and the light of the world.

4. Boat ride on the Sea of Galillee - amazing. The sky was so clear and we were able to see the shoreline all around the Sea of Galillee. As we rode the boat we couldn't help but experience with all our senses some of what the disciples must have felt whenever they were there and relive in our minds many of the Gospel accounts.

Just a thought - A devotional was shared by one of our group about Jesus and the disciples in a boat on the Sea during a storm. Jesus asked the disciples when they woke Him up during the storm, "Why are you afraid?"

A distinction was made between the question we are usually asking God during a storm ("Why don't you care about me?") and the question we should be asking during the storm ("Will you help me?"). When we ask "Will you help me?", He always says "yes." But his yes may mean he will empower you with His presence to go through the storm or that he will fix the storm. Either way, He will help us with whatever storm we are facing.

As you can see, this trip is affecting all of us and changing our hearts and minds. Our prayer request has been that we would return to the states much more like Jesus.

PRAYER NOTE: Your prayers have been answered again. The lady who went to the hospital was given every kind of test and the doctors saw nothing wrong. In fact, all of her symptoms had been reversed and disappeared during her visit to the E.R. Sounds like Divine Intervention to me.

Also, the other lady with a sprained ankle woke up with much less swelling and able to go with us on today's adventure. Again, God answered your prayers.

So now, add to your prayer list a man who is struggling with some very difficult issues and has come on this trip asking God to make a new man out of him. You know, that's just the kind of prayers God loves to answer.

Talk again to you soon.