TIBERIAS

We flew into Israel today. The time difference from Central U.S. Time is 7 hours. The plane ride was fairly uneventful, except for the fact that I ended up in a center seat for 10 hours of flying with my 6'5" frame, four feet of which is legs.

At about sunup, something amazing happened on the plane. I was listening to my ipod - most people on the plane seemed to be sleeping. A gentleman stood up in the aisle of the airplane, covered his head with a prayer shawl and began praying. Another man followed suit. Then another. And another. Before I knew it, there were more than 30 men standing in the plane aisle, bowing, reading the Talmud and praying. Some (probably 8 or more) were clustered in a group near the rear of the plane. They were forming a 'minion,' a kind of take-off on Jesus' exhortation of 'where two or three are gathered together in My Name ... '

Several of those standing in the aisles strapped small box-like contraptions to their arms or foreheads and swayed back and forth praying. These are called 'phylacteries' and house tiny Talmud scrolls inside. They are mentioned in the Bible as something the Pharisees used to prove their obedience to the Law.

It was fascinating to me. I am always amazed at the devotion people have to their religion and there was something admirable about the discipline and passion behind it all. We need that kind of passion for our Lord.

Once at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, we took the two hour bus ride by night across Israel to Tiberius (the pic is of Tiberias at night) where we are staying at the SCOT HOTEL. Dinner was at DECKS restaurant down the street where we were treated to salmon, lamb, goose liver and filet mignon.

Some of the waiters brought tall flaming sparklers to our table to honor our arrival. They also did a graceful dance to the song, "HOLY GROUND" to commemorate our visit.

And be blessed.