No I am not talking about cigarettes! Today on our way back to Jerusalem from the Dead Sea we stopped at a gas station where there where a couple of camels just waiting to be ridden by crazy tourists. Here is my exciting camel ride with Megan through the parking lot of a gas station in the desert of Israel.

Untitled from Cedarcrest Church on Vimeo.

On of the great things about this Israel trip is the people I am traveling with. Not only do we have a great group from Cedarcrest but there is also some of my family here as well. Anytime the Wright’s get together we have a great time. So this brief little video is especially for my cousins; Jobeth & Tombo, Sally & Taylor, Handley & Blake, & Land. Wish you guys were here!

Wright Family on Mt. of Olives from Cedarcrest Church on Vimeo.

While my heart is alway at Cedarcrest anytime I am away on a Sunday I had an incredible privilege today to worship on the Mount of Olives with our group overlooking the city of Jerusalem. It was truly an amazing experience to sit on the place where Christ ascended into heaven and the place where He will “touchdown” at the 2nd coming and worship. The Gospels tell us over and over that Jesus would often retreat to the Mount of Olives with His disciples to rest and to pray. This is such a special place as you can look out at the city while standing in a place that scripture tells us Christ frequently spent time. What a joy and an honor to be in this Holy Land knowing that so much of the world’s past and present center around this land! My passion for the Gospel continues to grow as we see the past of scripture and the prophecy of scripture laid out right in front of our eyes in Israel!

Today we had the honor of being in Jerusalem, the Holy City, on the Sabbath. It is fascinating to see an entire city shut down for the day to honor the Sabbath. This morning was a very moving and emotional time for me as we visited the garden tomb that marks the traditional spot where Jesus body was buried after the cross. It was in the garden tomb that the angel of God rolled away the stone and declared that Christ had risen (Luke 24). We observed the Lord’s Supper and had a time of worship at the place where the resurrection took place….AMAZING!!!

After seeing the garden tomb we walked the Via Dolorosa through the city of Jerusalem which marks the road Christ walked as he carried his cross to the resurrection. Carrying the cross was part of the humilation of death by crucifixtion. As if the physical agony was not enough, the Romans often made people carry their own crosses so that they would be on display and humiliated for the crimes. Seeing the path Jesus walked and getting a fuller picture of the humiliation he endured gives a whole new meaning to what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Jesus lived this verse for us. Are we willing to live this call for Him?

The Road to the Cross from Cedarcrest Church on Vimeo.

The hometown of Jesus! “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:48)

Nazareth was a very small rural town at the time of Jesus. In fact this town was so unimportant that when Nathaniel, who would become a disciple, heard that Jesus was from Nazareth he asked that famous question in John 1:48. It was with great humility that Christ became a man and part of this humility is shown in the town He was from. It was an incredible honor to see the town where Jesus grew up. This small little town has become one of the most famous towns in the world. Without a doubt, something great came out of Nazareth!

Nazareth from Cedarcrest Church on Vimeo.

This morning we visited Cana, the spot of the first miracle of Jesus. John 2 tells us the incredible story of Jesus turning the water into wine at a wedding feast. This miracle happened at Cana and signifies the beginning of Jesus public ministry.

Water to Wine from Cedarcrest Church on Vimeo.

Here is a short video from the shore of Caesarea. This is the place where the Gospel was first taken to people outside of the Jewish heritage. This was an amazing spot to see!

Untitled from Cedarcrest Church on Vimeo.

Unfortunatley the internet connection is not working at our current hotel. We will be at a new hotel tomorrow and I hope to have some new video up and running.

Here are a few of the highlights from our first full day of touring in Israel:

- We started the day in Joppa and studied the story of Jonah. Joppa is the city where Jonah got on the boat to run from God. (See Jonah 1-3) Joppa is a beautiful city on the coast of the Mediteranean Sea. It is amazing to be able to read one of my favorite bible stories where it actually took place!

- Our second stop was the highlight of the day for me. We went to the town of Caesarea. This town has huge significance in the history of the Christian faith. Caesarea is the place where the apostle Peter took the Gospel for the first time to a non-jewish person. (See Acts 10) Peter lead a Gentile man to Christ named Cornelius. Everyone who does not have a Jewish heritage that is a follow of Christ can trace their faith back to Caesarea. This is the place where God opened the door for the Gospel to spread to all the world.

- Caesarea is also the place where the apostle Paul shared the Gospel with the Roman King Felix when he was on trial. (See Acts 23) The amphitheater where Paul was on trial has been uncovered and restored and we were able to sit in the very place where Paul shared the Gospel with the Roman officials while he was on trial for his life! This is an amazing place!

- Our final stop was a vist to Mount Caramel. Mount Caramel is the place where a showdown occured in the Old Testament between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of baal. (See 1 Kings 18) It is an amazing feeling to stand on the mountain where God caused fire to come out of heaven to defeat the prophets of baal!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be on this trip and see the Bible right in front of my face. My passion for scripture continues to grow as I am able to walk the path of God’s word!

I look forward to sharing more tomorrow and I hope to have video up and running!

Israel Day 1 from Cedarcrest Church on Vimeo.

Megan and I are leaving on memorial day with a group of people from Cedarcrest to visit Israel and walk where Jesus walked. I am so excited about this trip and I can’t wait to study the scripture where the events of scripture took place. I will be using this blog to post video updates during our trip. I hope you will journey with us as we follow the life and ministry of Jesus from the Holy Land.

My next post will be coming to you from Israel!