An old song describes our journey today.  "I walked today where Jesus walked in days of long ago, I wondered down each path He knew with reverent step and slow....."

Those words became a reality for many of us yesterday as we retraced the footsteps of theLord in the area of the Sea of Galilee.

We woke to a beautiful sunny morning on the Sea of Galilee and everyone was ready for an incredible day.   Our first order of the day was to take an early morning boat ride across the Sea of Galilee with the entire group. So all 115 of us boarded the small boat and made are way across the Sea of Galilee.  Our guide inspired us by talking about the steps of Jesus around the lake and how this area was the central hub of His ministry.  He told us to realize that the is the area and by boat was the way that people of Christ's day travel from place to place on the sea of Galilee. What an incredible experience as we were on the boat and singing praises to the Lord.  Lynn Boyer said it was one moment that she will never forget.   Millie Lauffer said to sing Shout to the Lord while on the Sea of Galilee was worth the trip. As we were looking from the perspective of the sea, places that you and I have heard about and read about all our lives in scripture came alive. Places like Capernaum where Jesus' center of ministry took place, where Jesus healed the mother in law of Peter.  Where he also healed many and spoke to His disciples often.  Places like the Gaderenes where the demon possessed man was fantastically delivered and set free.  Places like the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the great teaching from Matthew on the blessings of obedience to God's plan.  Places like the site of the feeding of the five thousand. Places like the beach where Jesus prepares the breakfast for seven of the disciples after His resurrection from John chapter 21. Coming to the Sea of Galilee for followers of Jesus is like coming home.  Because this is the area where our Lord called His disciples and taught them.  Where He established a new way of life in His teaching and gave hope to all mankind.  Where you and I can see that Jesus Christ is the way.  I wish that I could describe the feeling to you in ways that words could describe.  But here are a few thoughts from people who are here with us. 

After finishing the ride on the Sea of Galilee we then were able to go by bus to sites we had seen from the water. There are certain sites that are the traditional sites of some of these biblical accounts.  Some spots may be disputed but the sites we saw today have a long history and have been kept as sacred sites for centuries, so there is a special sense that you are walking in the steps of Jesus. Places where He no doubt ministered and prayed and walked and lived, God Himself walking in human form in order to show us the way that we should live.  

We of course having been watching the accounts of the atrocity that took place last evening at a Jewish seminary here.  The constant pressure that the nation of Israel is under is immense.  Last night when the minister of Tourism spoke, he said that there is an interpretation of the media around the world as to what is really happening here in Israel between the state of Israel and the PLO.  Many of you have heard about the missile attacks that had been occurring from Gaza into an Israel town and how the Israelis had retaliated by airstrike. It often seems that the media takes the side of the terrorist groups more than they do of Israel and Israel even though it is only protecting itself is constantly seen as the aggressor.   We as a group are all fine but will see how these most recent attacks will affect us today.  This morning we go to the mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem and remember the word s of Jesus when He said, How long Jerusalem have I wanted to take you into my arms and care for you, we go to Bethlehem  this afternoon into a Arab city that over the last many years has been a place of great concern and unrest.  We will keep you updated and thanks for your prayers.