I’m actually on the 5th floor (with a view of the Mediterranean), but I first touched my feet on the earth here about 17 hours ago.  My seat mate on the EL AL Airlines flight from Madrid to Tel Aviv was a young man who serves in the Israeli Army. Now, that was an interesting conversation!  All in all, the trip went very smoothly. My camera battery charger sort of ‘blew up’ this afternoon, sending me into momentary (almost) panic, and about an hour and a half zipping around in taxis, finding a Nikon shop and buying a replacement.  (Just for the record, it’s not my fault.  The charger IS universal in terms of voltage and I have an adapter, but for some reason… )

The group dinner gathering this evening was great.  Evidently all 200+ attendees did make it, though some luggage is still traveling.  Mine arrived with me, fortunately.

Joel Rosenberg made a wonderful presentation this evening after dinner, and I am glad to discover that he is, indeed “leading” the whole group! He has a great sense of humour.  If you have never read any of his novels, they are a must for anyone interested in End Times prophecy.

I am truly pleased that all of you are “following” me and leaving comments.  I honestly feel that you are all here with me!  We start touring early tomorrow, and I have to pack up before retiring.  Stay tuned; reporting next from Galilee!

It is good to get out and about once and a while.  It makes me realise how sheltered my life is at home.  Is it because we do not live in a big city, or is it that we live in a service-oriented community?

I am glad that I spend a good amount of time studying the Bible, because it keeps my head full of scripture when I pass through the world at large.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12:2

“…to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  James 1:27b

“Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4b

Next stop:  The Holy Land!!

I depart on Monday, but my mind is racing ahead!  When I spent a brief time in Jerusalem years ago, I was a believer but not a dedicated Christian.  We visited a few of the requisite tourist sites: The Holy Sepulcher, Garden Tomb, Bethlehem… And quite frankly, I thought to myself I should have felt something; if the place was truly holy, I would have been able to “feel ” it.

In retrospect, that would be like expecting to feel the exhilaration of a rollercoaster , simply by standing beside the ride, never having the courage or faith to actually get on board.  But honestly, brethren, how can we truly experience a ride like that just by imagination?  How can we stand at the gate staring at the ride and expect to feel everything leap within us as the car flies over the summit of the highest peak, or sink deep into our bowels as we lurch out of the lowest depth.  We’ll never feel the tremendous force from side to side as the car speeds around a curve to the left, then the right, then again and again!  We will never feel the wind in our face as we glide in to the finish of the ride.

Now, fast forward to God’s threshing floor.  Do we think he is going to just give us all His glory if we merely stand at the door and say “I want to feel it?”  No, my friend.  He is going to sift us first:  we will be tossed up again and again, and shaken with all the stones, dirt and chaff; hurled in the air and from side to side. Up we go, and down we fall, over and over again…only to then be subjected to the tremendous wind of His breath as He separates us from the chaff to leave only the pure, wholesome grains in His hand.

Life is a pilgrimage, not a tour.  We must first take our step of faith through the gate, strap ourselves into the seat and take the ride.  That, my friend, is how and when you will “feel” the glory and holiness of God, no matter where on His earth you are standing.

“Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”  Exodus 3:5

Less than two weeks to departure date and I am super excited.  I’ve been working out at the gym for four months now, getting in shape for “several miles per day” of touring.  Let’s hope I started early enough, and that most of those miles are on the bus–not on my feet!

With my church Women’s Group, I recently completed Beth Moore’s study on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134); which are songs and prayers of the Jews of ancient times as they made their required annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem, three times a year, to worship in the Temple.  These pilgrimages were made in observance of three important feasts: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths (aka Tabernacles).

I feel particularly blessed that I am able to make my own pilgrimage now, with the richness of Jerusalem’s history fresh in my mind.

Me ‘n’ my Man;   Damascus Gate 1983

2013 is the year for my pilgrimage to the Holy Land! I was in Jerusalem with my husband for only three days in 1983, and saw a few key sights, including Bethlehem, the Garden Tomb, and the Wailing Wall. But France was calling so we didn’t have time for a full-blown tour. Yeah, it sounds crazy; but that’s the way our life was back then!

This year I’ll be taking a two week tour, following in Jesus’ footsteps, including Nazareth, Galilee and the Dead Sea. I am excited and looking forward to keeping you posted with details and photos of my daily experiences.