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I have enabled the "comment" feature on my blogs...feel free to add your comments at the bottom of any entry to make this fun! Keep it clean!

Ok, all those going on this trip should be fully engaged in packing today. Although, I have heard that some have been practicing for some time now. I love to hear how excited everyone is! Here is something to keep in mind...It is very important to provide room for the things that you may be bringing back. I promise you that you will find many little souvenirs to bring back with you. Don't miscount the value of these items. One of the things we will learn on this trip is that people need physical reminders to connect them to spiritual truths. That is why the Lord instituted the Lord's Supper and Baptism. So, there may be something (it might even be a rock taken from the ground) that you can bring back with you to see, touch, and talk about in order to remind you of the moving experience of renewal. You may bring back something that you put in your living room that facilitates spiritual discussion every time people come to visit...you may acquire something that is deeply personal that serves as a reminder of God's truth...or, you may bring back a unique and valuable teaching tool that aids you in your small group class.
Let this trip be a physical exercise in "going to God". We should really evaluate our lives. What are we doing every day? What are my true priorities? Do I love God with all my heart, soul, and strength? Is God as real to me as he is to the Jewish people that I observed? These are all good questions for contemplation and prayer. He alone is worthy!

Tomorrow's weather in Tiberias: Sunny, High 81 - Low 67
Tomorrow's weather in Jerusalem: Sunny, High 73 - Low 54

There has never been a better time to travel to Israel. One of the really exciting things about going today is the abundance of archeological sites. The Jewish people are working very hard (with the help and support of many academic and Biblical institutions) to make up for lost time. There is a sense of urgency to the historical discovery process right now. After all, Jews are eager to show their heritage and physical identity to the land.

They are discovering new sites and artifacts at breakneck speed. And Israel is a treasure field of ancient and Biblical historical finds. It is said that you can't stick a shovel in the ground there without hitting a piece of valuable history.
We will be very blessed to see and experience the fruit of many of these archeological finds. These discoveries always verify and affirm the Bible as being accurate. Now...we don't use archeology to "prove" the Bible. The Bible does not need any physical historical evidence to be proven. It is true because it is the Word of God, and it lives in us. However, we can use archeology to affirm the historical accuracy of the Bible. And, more importantly it gives us a greater understanding of the context in order to more fully understand and apply the Bible to our lives. It sheds light, magnifies, and brings to life those stories that have become strangely distant in our minds.
So...bring your Bibles, your pens, and your shovels (ok, not your shovels) and we will "dig in" to the Bible to glean all we can from the incredible physical findings of Biblical history.

Weather tomorrow in Tiberias: Sunny/ 84 degrees
Weather tomorrow in Jerusalem: Sunny/ 77 degrees

The Crossover in the Holy Land trip is in sight. We will be leaving on Monday morning, May 25, 2009. Please watch for daily updates, pictures, and trip information. Please pray for our safety...please pray for our spiritual growth...and please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Our next trip to the Holy Land is already confirmed!

ISRAEL: A BIBLICAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE HOLY LAND
This trip is January 7 - January 18, 2010

Please email me if you would like a brochure at bwenzel@wvbaptist.org