Quick July 6th, 2011 Update!

Shalom Friends,

Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and everything you need will be added to you! -Jesus

Greetings to you form Cape Charles, VA! Oh how the joy of the Lord rules and reigns when we abide in his presence and will! PTL! That's the providing, all encompassing God we serve that wants to meet every need we have! He is doing that for us; body, soul, and spirit here in Virginia!

This finds us at Cape Charles, Virginia in 5,000 square foot house, having a tremendously refreshing time with family at a house that we found on VRBO.com, a site suggested to us by Dale Cobbs. What a place and time we've had. We gathered here on Saturday, July 2 and for the most part, everyone was here through Tuesday. Two of my brothers, a married nephew, and many young nieces and nephews for a total of 22 spent the Holiday week/end together.

Our house is located on the water and we have our own private beach to go swimming in. That consumed a tremendous amount of our time in a completely private environment. So awesome! Awesome! Just family for as far as you could see for almost the whole time. There were times that the neighbors went to their private beach, but very seldom! Just hang out in the water and fellowship/communicate, or throw football, or catch sand dollars, hermit crabs, or other sea creatures! PTL!

On Sunday, after watching the service at Sunrise Chapel - live, we had a wonderful time of worship and exhorting each other in the things of God, while sharing together in singing! Everyone took turns singing their turn, as well as we sang together, lifting up the Name of Jesus! Our hearts were lifted up to the Lord, and he spoke his oracles as we shared together! In the evening, we showed the pictures of Israel to the family!







Cheryl and I will be leaving here tomorrow and heading back to Northern Virginia where we lived when we got married, and I had pastored there with Pastor Bob and served as Youth Minister before we moved to Indiana!

Our schedule is a little in the air, as one of my uncles, dad's brother, is in his final days, unless the Lord intervenes. We would then likely head to Ohio for that funeral.

Our next several destinations in order (unless the funeral would dictate otherwise) are;

• Northern Virginia
• Lancaster, PA with my brother Ervin and his family
• Lewisburg, PA with Cheryl's grandparents
• New Jersey with our friends Seth and Stephanie Brown and perhaps in Delaware as well
• Northern Virginia again
• Family Campout in Southeastern Ohio
• Indiana :-)

Oh how I pray the arms of God to grace each life, over and over, and find each one of us faithful to his Lordship!

Brethren, pray for us! In Him, forever, Lael and Cheryl

Report of Sodom and Gomorrah

Hello Dear Friends and family,

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ rest upon you today as you experience his presence where ever you are! I find it so amazing that the God of Israel has a part of his being called his Spirit that is present everywhere! It matters not whether you are in Harlan at the Youth Conference, or in missions in Africa, or in Israel, the place where Jesus himself walked; his precious Holy Spirit is present when he is welcomed in a life or in a place. Oh Hallelujah! Isn’t that wonderful! PTL!

Time is winding down so fast and almost unbelievable that in less than a week we will be back in the States on the east coast for a month or more!

On Wednesday, the 22^nd we headed south to Sodom and Gomorrah to do some archeological digging of our own. We were on the top of Masada several weeks ago and were so enthralled in seeing the ruins of those cities surrounding Masada that we said we must return just for that. Literally when you drive to the place it is like black and white, start and stop of where the cities’ ruins are. There is absolutely no mistaking that there is complete diabolical difference in the soil types there. The mountains and valleys are rock, solid rock, right up to the ruins. How are these places ashes? We must find out!

So, off we went! Enroute, we stopped at the regular coffee stop and Todd bought his son, eight year old King Josiah, a camel ride. Josiah says that this is his favorite thing in Israel so far for the 6 years he’s been here!

Then we headed on down to leave the ladies at a spa and shopping center below Masada. We felt like the time in the ruin-desert would be too much for them; let them rest!

So after that, away we went to 108-115 degree Fahrenheit conditions. Oh yes, and no wind moving at all! . What an amazing time we had. We got there and began to climb some of the “walls and large former buildings”. We were absolutely overwhelmed at the nothingness of the remains.

Friends, let me tell you, the softness and emptiness of the remains is soooooo beyond belief! You touch the walls and you break it away! You rub your finger across it and its chalkiness, and it leaves a distinct mark.

There was something so interesting that we discovered and were intrigued by. It appears that there were two pyramids at an entrance, and just inside a large monuments or pillar. Look at it! 

We also saw what appeared to be a large sphinx, an idol that was/is very common in Egypt, (encyclopedia photo) but we could not get near enough to get a good photo of it!

We moved on to try to find what appeared to be some of the the windows of the original city that we had seen from the road.  We could not get there and very easily and discovered that we had wandered quite a ways, perhaps a mile or two from the vehicle. So I told Wayne and Matt that I will go back to get the vehicle and pick them up on the other side. So, I headed back. Well I thought I could find it okay, but was a little wrong. I ventured down into one valley and then another. I thought at one time that it sounded very hollow under me, more so than normal, when suddenly I walked up to the edge of a huge caved in hole. Whoa, thank you Lord for protecting me! I walked on and realized that I couldn’t get down from the valley I was in. Whoa again! Then I realized that I was almost out of water. There was a certain amount of phobia that set in, but I soon got my bearings and realized that it is virtually impossible to get lost. So, I asked the Lord for strength and grace to find my way back.

When I finally got to the vehicle, I was absolutely exhausted and drained, with almost no strength to go on. Todd and Josiah were there, praying that we were okay. We drove on around to where we were to find Wayne and Matt. They weren’t there until we got about a half mile further – they were absolutely drained and exhausted. Wayne had depleted his water and had started on Matt’s third bottle. Wow, God’s grace was distinctly looking over us! 

I need to tell you of a huge blessing the Lord gave me. I had heard that basically it was impossible to find sulfur balls that remain there unless you come right after a rain, which is very rare too. Others that I had talked to that have been there many times may have found one that is the size of a pea. So my hopes were not very high. Nevertheless, I had the audacity to ask the Lord to please show me something; let me find at least one sulfur ball that is evidence of the method of destruction! I felt the Lord tell me to go to the first place. I began to rub on the wall and I found a small, pea sized one. I was ecstatic! Suddenly I felt compelled to look down at my feet, and I began to find them like finding mushrooms on a great day! When I finished there, I heard the Lord say to go to my right to a place he showed me.

When I finished, I had found a gallon sized Ziploc bag almost half full! PTL! Ron Wyatt says there is enough heat in one of these balls, that if you put it on a stainless steel teaspoon, it will melt the spoon!

The Bible says that God rained fire and brimstone on these wicked cities! Oh my! The wrath and fury of God that he unleashed on them and left them nothing more than these massive cities, hewn into the mountain rock, melted down to nothing but layers of cakes of chalk!

And these balls of sulfur came down from heaven in massive size, and as they melted the rock, the rock encapsulated them and extinguished them, leaving them as evidence for us today! My Lord! How wonderful to find these.

When we finished, we were obviously absolutely exhausted and hung out to dry – it seemed. And, we were covered in the talc-like dust/powder from head to toe! I tell you folks, it was one of the better days in Israel; to see and feel the reminder of the effect of the hand of God raining judgment on a wicked and abominable city!

The Word of God says that there is another day coming that will burn as an oven! He means what he says, and says what he means! It will come and that is certain! He said he will not destroy the earth with a flood again but with fire. And it will not be contained to one or so cities; it will be worldwide! Oh, it behooves us to be ready for that day. And not only ready personally, but take other souls with you to glory!

I love you all! In Him and for the Kingdom of Heaven, Lael     

Quick Post and Update; June 21, 2011

Hello dearest of friends and family! To all of those we know and love; grace to you and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ! And greetings from Cheryl and I, dwelling in Israel, Tiberius!

I shall write a quick post and update of our days visiting in Jerusalem. It is so overwhelming, earthshattering, and life changing to be here and walk in the footsteps of those who have walked long before us on this sin-cursed earth, and yet have left us a path of faithfulness and power to walk in - the greatest of which, of course, is our precious Jesus!

We have traveled each day (Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday) to Jerusalem and have seen some incredible things. Todd Horton and his fabulous son, Josiah, have gone with us and charted our course for us, while taking in some new sights for themselves!

On Saturday (Jewish Shabbat), we went to the Old City and walked its breadth and width, as well as going to the Garden Tomb, which I strongly believe is the authentic site where Jesus died, was buried, and rose again! Enough already; let me get started!

In the Old City, Jerusalem, we parked and then walked many miles - I'm guessing 7-10. We saw a reproduction of the Ark of the Covenant.










This is the very exact same Minorah that they plan to use when the temple is rebuilt! It was also on display on our trek into the Old City!

We saw the incredible, original Citadel of David, where his armies' headquarters were stationed. Yes, David! The one who had such a heart after God!

We saw and toured the underground tunnels as well as the above ground wall, known as the Western Wall or Wailing Wall. With the temple destroyed and Isreal given their National status again in '67, the closest they believe they can get to the Holy of Holies is the Western Wall. There they gather to pray, intercede, and beg for their Messiah to come. They believe with all their hearts that he will come soon (for the first time). It's so sad; you just weep as you watch them. We are praying for an unveiling of the sleeping eyes!

We saw the very steps that our Lord would enter into the temple from many times when he lived among us as God in the flesh!

We viewed and went to the Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane where our Lord shall return to with his feet, where the earth will rend, and he will open and pass through the Golden gate! Oh my Lord! My Lord! Yes, even so come Lord Jesus!

I stood inside the Golden Gate today, and implored him to come quickly!

The Garden Tomb where he was crucified on Golgotha Hill, and the Tomb itself where he was laid was very earth-shattering! You can see the very place where he laid before he raised again, and the sealed grave could not hold him! The place Cheryl is pointing to, we believe, is the very steel stake that was used to seal the tomb! Please see Ron Wyatt's work (video) for more information on this!

We toured an awesome museum and viewed so many things of ancient history to fairly current things! We could have spent all day plus 10 and not finish. Amazing! Everything from artifact from Abraham's time and before, to a building dedicated to the Qumran scroll discoveries, and then also the re-creation of Herod's Temple!

We saw and toured the remains of David's City and his House. It's sad that so little is left! For 45-55 minutes, Cheryl and I braved and walked through Hezekiah's Tunnel, the water source that he hewed in cave form to supply the city with water, as well as the Pool of Siloam! What a work of art as well as what I believe is a divine word from heaven to accomplish such a feat!

When we re-entered to the Western Wailing Wall, we entered to the joyful sound of shouting, and a Worship Band playing by the very Wall. When we approached, we saw the Orthodox Jews, the liberals, and the army men all dancing, singing, shouting, and 'what not all' together. It was absolutely overwhemingly joyful to observe. You couldn't help but join in!

What was the cause?!?!?! Someone had donated a Torah Scroll to them valued at over $2,000. So, they got a praise band in, a Division of the Army, and many people to rejoice for the event, as well as for the dedication of the scroll! Amazing to see and so valuable a lesson for us!

On our way out I saw a man helping people to wrap their arms and heads with the law of God. I went to him to inquire more, (as those of you from Sunrise know that I have had high interest in this). He thought he smelled a rat, as in me attacking him, and got very defensive. He told me that I should be put to death for trying to steal people away from God's own nation. Well, I had said no such thing and just loved him and prayed for him, rather than being defensive or argumentive. He soon calmed down and God opened excellent doors for me to minister, both to him but more to the two men with him! PTL! Pray for him and them.

We also went to the Herodian! WOW! What an amazingly great and sad story! More on this later, but here is a picture of his palace and pool to hold you for now!

And, to save the best and most precious till last; I walked on the very streets where my Jesus was held, tried, and covicted by Herod and Pontius Pilate! I discovered that it is the very place where Abraham offered up Isaac as well aka Mt Moriah many years before. It is the very place where he will come again on the last day! When he comes the second time, he will not be tried, bound, crucified, or in anything be held by man! No, he was, and is, and is to come the King of kings, and Lord of lords - FOREVER! Oh Hallelujah!





I aim to be faithful and true to him; watching and waiting with eager anticipation for his return. I'm ready! Are you! Yes Lord! With love to all, in Him, Lael

Quick June 16, 2011 Blog

Good evening dearest friends,

God bless you so mightily today; you back in the states are experiencing 'today' while we are very ready to go to bed. We had a longgggggggggggg day today as we went South to the lower part of Israel, (from the Galillee part) and toured five places today! Some were fairly uneventful, but some very good sights today as well! We will go easier tomorrow, and then start our Jerusalem tour for about three day, on Saturday. We want to be down by the Wailing Wall on Shabbatt (Saturday or Sabbath).

We started out by driving right by Tel Gezer on our way to another site, so we decided to turn in. It was very worthwhile. It is a fairly new archeological dig, even with some Americans digging as we toured, but look at some of these things. The gate to the city (first photo) was built by Solomon. This city was conquered by Pharoah, king of Egypt, the given to his daughter who was Solomon's wife. The second photo is one of the pillars that were raised at the temple of the city. They appear to be raised to the Pan god, the god of Fertility! Do you see why Solomon and Israel fell!?!?!

Then, enroute to our next stop, we ran across the local Cafe Cafe! Oh, what a great coffee shoppe it is! Thay have the greatest iced coffees, very close to a good one in Harlan, Indiana (but not quite), and got our daily fill of excellent booster liquid! Cheryl was happy! 

Then we were off to Tel Ashkelon! It was fairly uneventful, except for the ability to see the oldest arched gate in the world. If you remember, I posted a photo of another Canaanite gate from Tel Dan that Abraham passed through. This one is akin to it, but a little older. It could easily be that Abraham passed through this one as well. It is restored, but has original brick work in it too.

Also, you can see the inset in the wall where the silver calf of the god, Baal sat for the people to worship as they passed to the gate! So sad! 

The highlight of the day was to go to Beersheba, a place that held alot of importance to Israel thoughout the years of time! It is the place that Abraham went to after he was going to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, but the angel of the Lord stopped him. From Mt. Moriah, he went to Beersheba, built an altar, and dug a well. It was a fairly long residence of Abraham.

There is a four-horned altar there that was very special to me! Then you move on and you come to the welll that it is well believed and understood to be the one that Abraham dug! Wow!

 The next stop was Tel Arad. It is still somewhat unclear who was the responsible King/party to build it. Some have attributed it to David, others to Solomon, others to Rehaboam, Hezekiah, etc. etc. My belief is that all attributed to this massive structural fortress on the hill! An amazing structure! One of the great things to me was that the original altar was still here as well as one of the original stones on the Holy of Holies of the Temple! Another large, deep, water well was here and dating back to Abrahamic time!

Our last stop was to a very raw archeological dig called Tel Lachish. Lachish was a city inhabited by the enemies of God's people as well as Israel itself throughout the years of time. I need to study more about it before I tell you alot more. But it is certainly a great find and hold tremendous promise. It is amazing how much is there already with out restoration yet to date.


Well, I likely will not post again until Saturday evening or Sunday, as tomorrow will be a very light day; likely only a stop or two, and then Cheryl and I spending some quality time together!



We are planning to be at our friend, Wajih, the head waiter at the hotel restaurant for Shabbat meal tomorrow evening. Wow! What an honor! Please be in prayer for us as we minister of the grace of God! Agape to all! In Him, Lael