Weekly Blog

Well today begins my weekly blog to our people. After arriving home from Israel things seemed a little overwhelming but aren't you glad that you and I have a God that nothing overwhelms. He wrapped so many things up for me this week, answered so many prayers; Wow, what a God. Had a very busy week speaking, it was highlighted by a 2:00 am message at the University of Toledo early on Saturday morning. I had the blessing of speaking to a bunch of high schoolers and saw seven or eight receive Christ. That was worth the drive. I was going to spend the night and come back on Saturday but wanted so bad to come home, I jumped in my truck and I got home from Toledo at 4:00am. What a way to start a day. Probably the neatest thing that happened this week was leading a twelve year old boy to Christ on Sunday night, that was the best. The River moved into their new building this week, the Rock's two services are rocking, the Point is just out of room in their new building, and Faith is a church that sees the big picture of the Kingdom. I love doing what I do! I will see you all at church and I can't wait.

Your Friend, Pastor Jim

II Cor 4:1

Leaving...

Well, we are just a few hours from departure. We will be leaving the land of Israel and arriving home tomorrow. If I told you the schedule you wouldn't believe it. I guess the bottom line is we will be home at 1:30 on Friday. Today was probably the best day of all. We saw so much, the Western wall, a tunnel along side the temple mount, the upper room area, we spent the day in the old city. We then got to see the Dead Sea scrolls in a museum. The afternoon was the highlight. We went to a 2000 year old tomb that had a missing stone. We are not sure it was the place Jesus was, but much of the evidence points to it. Ray believes it is the site. We had communion together, wept and were blessed to end our trip right here, right where it all begins. I have lots to do to catch my plane and we will see you soon.

Your Friends, Pastor Jim and Carole

II Cor 4:1

Shalom

Shalom,

Tomorrow is my last day here in this amazing city of Jerusalem. Today was exciting , I awoke early to hear the call to prayer for the Muslims. It is strange if you are not use to it. It just adds to the feelings you get from being here. We spent some time today at the Holocaust museum, what a sad story. I have heard people describe Hitler as the devil and now I know why. Six million Jews murdered at his hands and the children, one and a half million alone, it is hard to imagine and except. We did go into the old city and walked up the very steps that Jesus himself walked up, that was thrilling. We also went into Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus. I did not realize how physically tired I was. I have gained some wonderful rest that was more needful than I thought. The time with my wife Carole has been precious, she is a wonderful, Godly lady. We have laughed alot with Ray and the others and learned much along the way. I spoke today at the Garden of Gethsemene. It means the place of the press, referring to the Olive trees and the press that must have been there. It is located between the Eastern Gate and the Mount of Olives. We walked the walk Jesus walked and then I spoke. I really just spoke about Him and what He did. He did so much for me and you. As I spoke I was looking at the Eastern Gate of the old city that one day will open to the return of Jesus. The more time I spend in Israel the more close I believe that is.

Last Blog of the trip tomorrow.

Your Friends, Pastor Jim and Carole

II Cor 4:1

Hey There

Hey There,

Early start again today, went to a mountain called Masada. It is a city on the top of a mountain in the desert. Herod the guy who was king when Jesus was here, he built it. After his death some of the Jews about 1000 hid up there from the Romans duing their revolt. The Romans attacked them but a mass suicide took place before the Romans got there. Then we went to a place called En Gedi, it is the place that David his from Saul, a beautiful oasis in the desert. We hiked to a waterfall that was awesome. We then went to a place called Qumran. It was where the found the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is amazing how God preserved His Word for us. That discovery is the greatest discovery of the 20th century. To think the scrolls were put in caves 2000 years ago and what we have matches what they found, wow. We left the Dead Sea area and made our way up to Jerusalem. That was the same path that Jesus described He took in the New Testament. In fact, Luke 10 tells the story of the man robbed, beaten and thrown in the ditch, this was the road. To think we were in the same spot the story of the good samaritan was told. We finished our day at what they believe to be the valley of the shadow of death. Awesome valley. We arrived in Jerusalem to see the Gold Dome and we will begin our adventures here tomorrow.

Your Friends, Pastor Jim and Carole

II Cor 4:1

Well...

Well right now Carole and I are looking out our 12th floor hotel room at the Dead sea. What a great view for places from the Word. Just across you can see Mount Nebo where Moses looked at the promise land. North just a few miles you can see the Judean hills that David hid in while King Saul pursued him. South of the Dead Sea is nothing, because it used to be the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. They no longer exist and no trace has been found of them. God judgement is real. You can see where Ruth was from and look and see the wilderness where Moses lead Gods murmuring people. I went to a place today that blessed me. It was the area where John the Baptist, baptized Jesus and did much of his ministry. He was a man of courage, I love that. We had one other stop, Jericho. We saw the sight where they dug up the fallen walls when Joshua and the others marched around and the walls that came tumbling down. I also could not help but look for a sycamore tree. That was the kind of tree that Zacheus was in when Jesus came by. I was kind of up a tree when Jesus came by myself, I am glad He went home with me. We quit a little early so we went for a dip in the Dead sea. Carole cannot swim a bit, but in the dead sea everyone can swim. She floated and loved it. We had dinner and I got my first french fries since I left the states, they were great! Tomorrow we go up to Jerusalem after one stop. Tell you all about it then.

Your Friends, Pastor Jim and Carole

II Cor 4:1

Hey Everyone

Hey Everyone,

It is Saturday night here in Jordan and we had a long travel day today. We started the day in Petra, one of the most amazing sights in world. It is a city that was built into the rocks and the passage way to it is an incredible canyon. It was about a three mile walk, unless you to a cart or a horse, my wife loves to walk, say know more. You will probably recognize the site by the Indiana Jones movie about he ark, this is where it was filmed. All anyone can say after they see it is WOW! We then went to Mt. Nebo, this is a sad place, it is the spot that Moses look over the promise land but it was as close as he was allowed by God. I spoke on the top of the mountain and it was thrilling to think I shared his/Moses' story from where he stood. I loved it!!! We then journeyed to the capital of Jordan in the city of Amman and are staying the night here. Carole and I are on the sixteenth floor and you can see forever. We will leave early in the morning and are on our way to the Dead Sea.

I hope to have some more time there and we will try and send pictures tomorrow.

Bye Everyone, Pastor Jim and Carole

II Cor 4:1

Hey There in the States

Hey There in the States,

We got up early this morning and went to a city called Beth-shean, it was the place they took King Saul and Jonathon after their death. The city was amazing, an entire city dug from beneath. We then traveled across the Jordon to the country of Jordon. That is the place Ruth was from. We are on are way to one of the wonders of the world, Petra. I will tell you all about it tomorrow. As for today we did go to and old Roman city called Jerash it was one of the finest sites I have ever seen. I had not been there before. I was amazed at it and by it. We just finished a late dinner, the best lamb I have ever eaten, my greek daughter in-law would have loved it and me. We spent most of the day in the bus traveling, that is tough on your pastor. We did have some sweet fellowship with those we are with. The fellowship is almost as sweet as what we see. We have an armed Jordanian policeman with us. He is quiet but gives us someone just in case. Everything is going great, I do miss my kids and you. You will hear from me tomorrow.

Your Friends, Pastor Jim and Carole II Cor 4:1

Dear Churches

Dear Churches,

Finished another day with lots of great stuff. We went to the area of the Tribe of Dan and saw where they got off track from the plan that God had for them. Boy, once you get going in the wrong way it is tough to get it right. The people of Israel did not get it right after God did so much. God has done so much for us and we need to remember that. We went to the borders of Lebanon and Syria, saw lots of military. The U.N. is guarding much of that area. Had lunch at a Israel food place, cannot describe what it was but it was'nt bad at all. Saw our last view of the Sea of Galilee and will leave for the country of Jordan in the morning. We also went to the unearthed city where Absolam hid after he killed his brother, Davids kids were sure mixed up. Isn't great to have kids that bless you. I thank God for mine every day. They aren't perfect you know, but they have been a blessing to us. Those that came with us for their first time are thrilling us, with their exicitment. Tomorrow they are in for a big treat cannot wait to see their response. I will tell you about it tomorrow.

Your Friends, Pastor Jim and Carole

II Cor 4:1

Shalom Everybody

Shalom Everybody,

Well it is 2:00 am here in Israel and I was up so I thought I would tell you about our third day here. We started the day with the ususal Israel breakfast, not much to talk about. Then we spent the day in the Galilean area. That was where Jesus spent much of His ministry. He chose some disciples from here also. We first went to the Golan Heights to get a great view. The Israelis took the Golan from Syria in 1967, lots of blown out bunkers still and military stuff. We then went to Capernaum, what a great sight. This is where Peter was from. I love this sight because one of my favorite stories happened here. Mark 2 tells about the guys who ripped the roof off the house to get their buddy to Jesus. I love roof rippen christians. I tried to imagine which house from the digs. We also took a sail on the Sea of Galilea just like Jesus. Boy did I want to walk on water like Peter did. We also had a baptismal service in the Jordon. Twelve were baptized, felt like John the baptist, one man named Dale had just been born again and never baptized that was great. Even old biker bud felt he needed to get that in order, it was great. There were other religions there but none practiced Biblical baptism and were amazed at what we did, I invited them, but know one came. We saw some other sights along the shore including the place where Peter met up with Jesus after the resurrection, got a great sermon there, cannot wait to share it at home. If you see my kids give them a hug from Carole and I and love one another while we are away. Remember to pray for the staff as they have much to do while I am here. See you soon.

Your Friend, Pastor Jim

II Cor 4:1

P.S. Everyone from here says hello to everyone there!

We are here!

Hey Everyone,

If you don't know by now Carole and I are in Israel. We arrived after a few delays. I hate sitting in airports, I hate sitting anywhere. We landed in Tel Aviv and are staying in a hotel just north of the city. We went to bed kind of weary from the travel. Got up early as usual and Carole and I had breakfast, not real good, doesn't compare to Big Boy. We then went for a walk on the Mediterranean Sea. It was beautiful, got thinking while I was walking that just a little more north of here is where Paul set off in a ship on a missionary journey and just south of here is where Jonah tried to run from God and ended up in a big fish. Speaking of big fish, I saw a guy fishing and thought, I wish he had an extra pole. Then I realized I am fishing, all of us who are believers are fishermen, fishers of men. I love watching God catch people and being used anyway He wants. Well, I gotta run for now, but will try and bring some pictures later. Tonight we will be staying on the Sea of Galilee. Lots of great stuff happened there with Jesus. I love being where He was, I look forward to being where He is and right now I want to be where He wants me to be and thats Pastoring you!

Love Ya, Pastor Jim

II Cor 4:1

P.S. Watching my wife walk down the shore reminded me of the great gifts God has blessed me with her, you and Him!

Leaving for Israel

Hi Church!

We left Sunday on a flight to Israel at 3:45 pm. I will be blogging each day with updates as we are there - so check back soon for our first update!

Pastor Jim
1 Cor 4:1