HAPPY NEW YEAR..........................................

In the relentless busyness of this thing we call "LIFE," we have lost the rhythm between work and rest.....As I sit here writing my mind is already racing to the next moment in my life.... God has been circling me with this thing called "REST," I am reading a book called Sabbath...Sometimes I want to just scream after reading it and after looking at other blogs!!! How do they find the time to be the perfect blogger? Perfect Mom? Perfect Wife? Perfect Teacher? Even there kids do not seem to be intoxicated by this thing called the "WORLD," where my kids are living in it and blending in with it.......  Maybe it is just ME! Maybe I am the failure in this thing called "LIFE".   Maybe it is my desire to accomplish so much in the little time I have and MAYBE its ME that has chose to spread myself so thin.....I have lost it, lost the spiritual rhythm of this thing called LIFE......and because.I have not slowed down to do what is the most important thing in my life..........,  I have lost my way.... My way to the most amazing relationship of all.... with our Lord and Savior...who so graciously waits.......WAITS...for me and WAITS for you to spend time with him......We miss the very quiet that would give us wisdom!!!! We are poisoned by this hypnotic belief that we can have it all and do it all..........all for what??? More success, more recognition, more satisfaction, more LOVE, more information, more possessions, more security......

How I pray this year will be different for us all.......

Wishing you and your family the Happiest New Year of all....... Praying that we all slow down and spend time with God himself....Make it your priority....I am going to try so hard to make it mine.....So much more to blog about on our amazing trip to Israel..... Hope to post more of Israel in the next couple of days... Working tomorrow New Years Day in Neuro Intensive Care Unit.... Praying to be used by God and to be a blessing to someone............

In His Grace,

Robbie

Tiberas/ Children's Home.......Israel

We were on a very tight schedule the whole 10 days in Israel. The hotels would want us back around 7pm for dinner. We were running late on this day and almost did not have time to stop. Also the kids at this Children's center go home at night. They were so excited to see us they waited late, knowing they would have to walk home in the dark and alone. The building in the first picture was one of many around the children's center. This area is very poor. As we walked through this neighborhood, I prayed for each person living here- for their safety and hope. And mostly that they would see Jesus through us and other Christians that visit the center. As we walked up the sidewalk to the center, we heard chanting. Once we were close enough to see the children, we could hear what they were saying. They were saying Tesha, Tesha, Tesha. The children surrounded Tesha, our guide, and loved all over her. Our group then walked into the building.  The center was simple, but full of love. Each room was filled with art work on the walls. Obviously efforts of love. The children were so excited to see us. Oh course Robbie and I were fighting back the tears. While there we heard some very sad stories. I know there are children's home all over the world, poor and needy children, but for some reason I was drawn to these kids. They performed for us- sang and danced. They lit the candles on the Menorah and involved us in the ceremony. At the end of our visit, we handed out gifts- simple ones. I did not hear one time- that she got more, or its not fair. The children's center experience was a breath of fresh air, and caused a need to help others to stir up inside of me and others in our group. It was hard leaving them. The kids were so happy that we were there, they were full of the moment, not even thinking about the future, or problems that tomorrow would bring- the innocence of a child. Most of the children do not have dads. I could see excitement in the boy's eyes when they were interacting with the men in our group. Several of the boys gave paper gifts they had made to the men. I'm sure they will cherish these gifts forever. Please take a few minutes after you read this, to pray for those children, and children everywhere- especially ones that do without. That are hurting, sad, or hungry. I pray that God will protect them and give them extra protection and comfort.

Amy

The Hoppers - Yahweh

The Yahweh Song in Southern Gospel.....Wow!!!! Amy has caused me to love Southern Gospel!!!!

Jerusalem - Featuring The Hoppers

Make sure you turn our music off first... This is so powerful...Turn your volume up loud...... This is Amy's favorite type of music and this is the song and video our amazing guide Tesha had us watch as we came through the tunnel and up into Jerusalem!!!! Give's me chills everytime I listen to this song......This is Southern Gospel....enjoy....

CAESAREA: PART TWO...........BUILT ON THE SHORES IN (1101-1265.)...

The doors heading to the Crusaders fortress!!!!!!!As we step into what seems like another world, it shows the hunger and passion of one man's dream to have it all and to have it his way..........It shows how power hungry Herod truly was......As we step into a time zone unfamiliar but have read about we gasp................"The vacant amphitheater."

We continue to take in Herod's dream.....you can't help but think about the number of Jews and Christians who lost their life here.....Amazingly this is where our life as a "gentile," changed forever............Peter opened the way for the very FIRST gentiles to come to the one true God....... He made his very first direct convert to Christianity in Caesarea, of a man named: CORNELIUS.......Herod later imprisoned Peter in Jerusalem during Passover, but he escaped and made his way to Caesarea and from there he set sail for Rome and on into history................

Paul was also imprisoned here for two years before being sent to Rome from this very port..................

This amazing city is located somewhere between Tel Aviv and Haifa.......In the early Middle Ages, Caesarea traded hands several times between the Muslims and the Crusaders......What is left behind now is mostly from the Crusaders time..........The ancient city is now more an archaelogical park located on the Mediterrean Sea 33 miles north of Joppa....and 60 miles northwest of Jerusalem.......

Remains from the Crusader's city......  (graceful ruins by the sea)...................................

Roman theater built by King Herod....

Herod indeed planned an entire city, based on the Roman model.....He including several palaces and one specifically for the Roman governor of Judea.....Herod named the city for the emperor Augustus and its crowning glory was its sea-side port.......The Roman governor "PONTIUS PILATE," (who condemned Jesus to be executed), lived at Caesarea and a plaque bearing his name and a recording a dedication he made had been found....

Restored Roman pillars show where the originals once surrounded an open courtyard in Herod's Caesarea palace.........................

This is where the spectators sat as they watched the sport of the innocent pitted against animals and men fighting against men......In spite of the horror of what took place here there is an energy here....It survived the rule of the Romans and was lifted up by prayers of the faithful...... The stories of Cornelius, Philip, Philip's four daughters, and the Jews who stood faithful, against all this horror........

     The Ocean's breeze is refreshing as we move on through the remains of what changed a spot in time for us the gentiles...........Ironically we were grafted into the kingdom of Christ,  in one of the most materialistic and pagan cities in the Holy Land......

These ruins are as impressive as any in Israel....The visual impact of the Crusaders arches, crumbling walls and smashed pillars proves the layered history that was once alive here.................................

The horse track is in remarkable condition........................

Caesarea was the Queen of the Coast......and the largest Roman port in the eastern Mediterranean......It took Herod around 12 years to build the actual city...It's harbor alone was amazing....Around 1,800 feet long and 160 feet wide- perched on massive walls sunken into the Sea bed, and a huge lighthouse with an ever burning beacon to guide the ships to the shore.......

Scroll down and turn our music off first!!!! Wishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas!!!!
the cross in christmas from tammi dryden on Vimeo.

CAESAREA MARITIMA: PART ONE...........................................

A Roman aqueduct that carried spring water to Caesarea fights conquest by the sand............................................Originally a Phoenician port, rebuilt by Herod in honor of Caesar Augustus................

Amy and I continued to slip in and out of its beautiful arch-doorways, we find ourselves in a setting that takes us back a moment in time....and for a moment in  time it takes our breath away....

Water, water everywhere......A view of the Mediterranean through one of the arches of the Roman aqueduct that carried spring water to Caesarea............

Mediterranean Sea.......................looking through one of the arches..........................

The Roman aqueduct, a one-time source of water for a city built in honor of everything except GOD.......stretches long in the pale sand of the Mediterranean, providing arched windows toward the ocean. It stands like a centurion in some places, like and old man in others.  Amy and I stepped through it, allowing our fingers to touch the stone. I was amazed at the length of it. It seemed like we had found a hidden treasure of time standing still...........

Later Herod moved from Judea and went to the city of Caesarea, where he stayed. Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, but the people of those cities all came in a group to him. After convincing Blatus, the king's personal servant, to be on their side, they asked Herod for peace, because their country got its food from his country. On a chosen day Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to the people.  They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not a human!"  Because Herod did not give the glory to God, an angel of the Lord immediately caused him to become sick, and he was eaten by worms and died. God's message continued to spread and reach people..............ACTS 12: 19-24........

Love Came Down

  So sorry I haven't been able to blog more of our incredible trip to Israel.....But my 15 year daughter had ankle surgery Friday that had be planned for a while, I just didn't realize how painful this type of surgery would be....
       Found this video that just touched me to the core of my soul .. Please stop our music first and listen to the words of this incredible song..... I will start blogging more of our trip very soon... Merry Christmas...............Remind yourself this Christmas of all Jesus has done for you....Praise Him this season...remember whose you are.....you are forever his......
Love,
Robbie

Israeli Navy Base

God's hand protected us as our itinerary had changed.  Instead of Mt. Carmel, we headed to the Israeli Navy Base. This chose to be a blessing in many ways. Not only did God protect us from the fire, but we were the first group to EVER to visit the navy base. We arrived on the base first thing Thursday morning.   Looking back on our trip, the whole thing was God ordained.  We pulled our big ole bus into the base, with a brief stop from the guards at the entrance. As I remember that day, I cant believe how easily we got in. We were not allowed to take pictures, so we all left our stuff on the bus and headed into the base. I have a great picture of the group with a few commanders and soldiers. A picture they took and had for ALL of us as we left. If I can figure out how to scan the picture for this blog, I'll have it for you.  We all got off the bus and headed for their auditorium. It did not look anything like a Navy base, but a boyscout camp, The soldiers had coffee, juice, and danishes for us.They looked uncomfortable and really didn't know what to expect, because they had NEVER had any visitors in the history of Israel but more importantly American Christian visitors!!!!!!  They had a gift for us which was a key chain that any man would love. It had their Navy sword on it which is part of their uniform that can only be worn if you are in their armed forces. Our husbands already have them on their key chains. They will be cherished forever.
 We sat quietly in the auditorium as the commander told us about the Israeli Navy.  Robbie and I could barely keep it together as we watched a movie about the Navy. We were known on this trip as Crybaby 1 and Crybaby 2. This experience was very moving and we had to remind our trip mates that our spirits are very sensitive. LOL. After the movie we all congregated outside and tried to "mingle" with the soldiers. Robbie and I talked with one girl who spoke very little English. She was a Lone Soldier. This is when a soldier has no family and the Navy/Army takes them in and provides for them. We then made our way to the commander, who probably is scared from Robbie and I. Freddie is his name. We told him all about us, critical care nurses, and our love for Israel. And that we pray for peace for their country and their safety.  As we walked around the base, the soldiers showed us different teaching areas. One is a room with pictures on the wall about their history. Israeli soldiers not only are trained to protect their country, they are taught why they should protect their country. Before the soldiers are sworn in they track up and down the desert mountains on Masada. With blood, sweat and tears and right before they take their oath to be sworn in they place a gun in their right hand and a bible in their left hand. Then they tell them; "you can't defend your country until you know where you come from!!!!!!"  It is in their heart!!!! What resides in our hearts? Isn't that what God is more concerned with "the what," that is in our hearts?  Ask yourself today, "what would God see if he looked into your heart today?"  Would He be pleased? Or disappointed?
side story: (a man who shot missiles over in Israel to try to wipe them out; was fired back on by the Israeli soldiers and the man was wounded.    Israel then took him and treated him medically and found out that he had a huge heart defect!!!!! He needed open heart surgery that he couldn't get except in Israel.... The news would never tell you any of this; but guess what?    Israel granted him rights into their country even though he tried to hurt them and Israel's government still gave him this life saving surgery! Wow!!!! It shows a little of what is in there heart. The news continues to betray them wrongly. The incident with the boats several months ago was so slanted by the news media. Satan has got his tentacles in the media and will continue to mislead you all the while playing on your emotions. Don't always believe what you hear on the news. Things are not always as they seem. Just like in the bible. When God was about to part the red sea for the Israelites, they thought they were doomed and the Egyptians thought they were about to conquer the Israelites....  But oh how God himself had other plans.. He hardened the Egyptians hearts even more so they would not stop and when he parted the red sea the Israelites moved quickly and safety to the other side. The Egyptians went in after them and God commanded the sea to cover and consume them in their own hatred...Things are truly not as they had seemed......Wow.....
 During this visit, several of us on this tour told Freddie of our support as a country. Robbie was able to talk with Freddie as we moved to another area on the base. As his eyes filled with tears, he told her that he had no idea that Americans felt this way. Robbie continued to love on him, others also poured their feelings and prayers for support to him and the whole base. He took Robbie and I over to an area where this huge missile was located. Freddie said to us "this is a missile that was shot at us and landed in our front yard." the interesting thing is that it NEVER EXPLODED!" That is truly super-natural!!!! God is protecting Israel...He refers to Israel in the old testament numerous time as; HIS FIRST BORN SON!!!! God even said in one verse; "why are you messing with my first born son..." so powerful. If someone or some country was shooting missiles in your front yard what would you do????
 After they served us a wonderful lunch, we toured more of the base which they took us to a school  that is for troubled kids ages 14-18.  Some of these children don't have anything; not even a bed to sleep on. A small percentage of the teens are even developmentally delayed. The Israel navy base makes sure that they have a place to sleep and food to eat.  They also train them in very specific skills that gives them a trade for later on in life. This program has a profound influence on these kids. It gives them a sense of purpose and some of them are even able to serve in the armed forces when they become of age. They keep these kids off the streets, and away from drugs.  This has proven to be a very positive move for this country.
 Before we left, Robbie and I were trying to call stray cats to us. The cats were eating food left by some soldiers at the picnic area. We were calling them " here kitty, here kitty." We were getting frustrated. A soldier came up to us and we asked him how do you get these cats attention, they wont even look at us. He explained to us that the cats only understood Hebrew, not English.  We laughed so hard. So they were Hebrew Cats!!!  I will never forget this wonderful experience and truly cannot wait to go back one-day!!!
Be still!!!
Amy

 These are some of the pics from the horrible fire that killed 42 people and burned over 13,000 miles in Israel's forest on Mount Carmel.......And we were supposed to be there at that time!!!!! Wow....

Waking up in Netanya and headed to Haifa...Day one in Israel.......

It was dark when we arrived in Netanya Dec. 1 around 7pm at night... But this was the treat we got when we woke up Dec. 2 and walked out onto our balcony.... This was our view..... It took our breath away....

 We left Netanya and headed to Haifa where our first stop; was the World's Longest Hillside Gardens......."The Baha'i Gardens"

The gardens dominate the Mount Carmel hillside in Haifa. Midway down is the gold-domed Shrine of the Bab. Completed in 1953, the building contains the tomb of Siyyad Ali Muhammed-the Bab-a Muslim in Persia who proclaimed the coming of the "Promised One" in 1844. He was executed in for heresy in 1850, and his disciples brought his remains to Haifa in 1909. The Baha'i religion emerged from Muslim society (though the Baha'is hate to be called a Muslim sect.) Few Baha'is live in Israel, but some 700 volunteers from abroad serve in the Baha'i World Center.

Extending from the summit of Mount Carmel, this unique hillside terraced garden, completed in 2001, spreads out spectacularly along the north-western slope of the mountain. The hillside garden has a classically European ambiance. The terraces are lined with stone balustrades, fountains and stone eagles. Black iron gates give access to the trees, bushes, flowerbeds and neatly manicured bright green lawns. But the garden's crowning glory is its breathtaking panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Mediterranean Sea stretching serenely to the horizon.......

Haifa is the 3rd largest city in Israel with one of the centers of the nation's renowned high-technology industries. It sits between the Mediterranean and Mount Carmel Range. Haifa is settled itself lazily among the gentle slopes of Mount Carmel. The city has three levels; its original location being on the waterfront. The second level, in the Carmel foothills, with the newest neighborhoods climbing all the way to the crest of the peak, clinging to its sides, connected by a network of excellent roads. In Israel they tell you that the whole nation is the size of New Jersey with Haifa's population around 300,000 and being the place where everyone works hard; it is the industrial city. Tel Aviv being more modern with around 430,000 population and it being called where you go to play. Jerusalem being around 750.000 population and being the capital of Israel. It is called the place of worship!!!!

After leaving these beautiful gardens we visited a Navy Academy Base in Haifa where all there military are trained. This being there most important military base!!!  Amy is going to blog about that incredible experience in the next couple of days. We don't have any  photos to show you of this amazing visit because  their safety could be at risk. We spent half a day also having lunch prepared by them which we learned that in the entire history of Israel there has NEVER been ANY visitors allowed to this base or any base of this kind. It was so obvious to us that this visit had been ordained by God himself.  We were sent there to strengthen them and to tell them that we are praying for them and that God considers Israel the apple of His eye!!!!! 

Blessings,

Robbie

On our way to ISRAEL..............................

This is after being on a plane for 14 hours...we were so ready to be there....Amy had her pillow blown up before we ever left JFK airport... She is soooo strong.. Nothing bothers her. I think it helps her husband is an US-AIR pilot.... She flys all the time... I am a bundle of nerves....lol

(Sorry it has taken me so long to start blogging but during our trip I caught a nasty cold from one of the guys in our group and when I got home I went to sleep and thats all I want to do is sleep..... I have no energy!!!! I didn't realize how little we slept on this trip.. We didn't want to miss anything...)

Wanted to share some of what God was sharing with me on the plane ride to Tel Aviv

It was on Faith:

Only in the one true God does FAITH find a trustworthy refuge.....Faith is of little valve when maintained merely as an attitude of the heart......wow..(.God knew that I was going to need to hear this..) We must always be willing to demonstrate the vitality of our FAITH by acting on the basis of what we believe.  Ask yourself today what is it that you truly believe??????? Is your FAITH merely an attitude of your heart??? I believe my FAITH was merely an attitude of my heart!!!! Oh how I want to change that.......

Finally daylight:    We flew in the dark for what seemed like forever.....I was blown away by the size of our plane... It holds close to 500 people and they overbooked our flight by 20 people... It was a miserable flight.

This was a very emotional moment for me. Below was Tel Aviv!!!!! I was teary eyed and praising God that we were there!!!!!! I couldn't believe that we were  in Israel...The apple of God's eye!!!!! People say when you visit Israel that you have to be invited by God himself; and when you arrive you literally touch the apple of God's eye!!!!! I believe that with all my heart!!!!

As the plane pointed eastward, making its way toward the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, my heart pounded........I felt like a part of me was arriving home for the very first time in my life.. I was going home!!!!!! I know now that one visit will not be enough....I will never be the same again...

Our plane 747 double Decker... Never seen a plane that had an upstairs......

Hebrew writing....on the sign...... It blew me away to learn that 3 prophesies had already come true from the bible in relation to Israel.

1) A pure language......The ancient Hebrew language had been dead for thousands of years. But with the return of the nation, the Hebrew language became revived and became the official language of the state....

Zephaniah 3: 8-10; "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, (even) the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering."

2) The return...The Jewish people were dispersed for over 1,900 years.  It is a super-natural happening of our age they are returning from all over the world to their home land just as the bible predicts.....

Ezekiel 20:34; "I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered---with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with out poured wrath.."

3) The Shekel.... After nearly 2,000 years the shekel has been reinstated as the common monetary unit in Israel, just as predicted.....(our dollar is becoming weaker and weaker)

Ezekiel 45: 12-16; "The shekel is to consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels equal one Mina.......All the people of the land will participate in this special gift for the use of  the prince in Israel."

The shekel is increasing in valve...it is already more valuable than the dollar....

Amy wanted to make sure that I shared with you how I flew for at least half of the trip with one sock on and one sock off. Of course we had a medical emergency on the flight...... One passenger passed out and hit her head. Amy and I went to the back of the plane to see if they needed help since the pilot came over the speaker and asked if there were any medical personal on board........ Amy took the time to put her shoes on but not me,  I only had my socks on and stepped in throw-up!!!! lol... the person was fine..thank God and I had to go with out one of my socks for the rest of the trip... This is how I arrived in Israel...one sock on and one sock off....lol

From that moment on, nothing in Israel looked normal to me...... Every site that we went to and every stone that we saw had a spirtiual message just for me.... I journaled myself silly... There is something that happened to Amy and I while we were there. It happened in the deepest part of our spirits... and I pray that we are able to share with you through our blogging just some of the spiritual revelations unique to Israel's sacred destinations.............let us touch the apple of God's eye together!!!!!!!!! so that none of us will ever be the same again.............

1 JOHN 1:1;

We write you now about what has always existed, which we have heard, we have seen with our own eyes, we have looked at, and we have touched with our hands......

Through this trip I have fell into the bible literally....and I have fallen in love with God all over again......

I will write about Day one in Israel tomorrow; we stayed in Netanya and the very next morning traveled to Haifa....

Blessings,

Robbie