Our Recent Trip to Israel

Rosemary’s 80th trip to Israel. My 29th. Shouldn’t you be here with us? ?

The Mountains of Gilead. Ever heard the old hymn, “there is a balm in Gilead…”

The site where Saul and Jonathan are buried.

The Mountains of Gilboa, where Saul and Jonathan died.

The remarkable and exuberant Father Kelly from Ireland - who has been overseeing Magdala (hotel, etc). Remarkable man.

The Mount of Beatitudes. For us Wesleyans, we are proud of this plaque, so we always take a group picture here. (8 of our group are Wesleyans.) My late father was so proud of the fact that the Wesleyans had a major conference in Jerusalem in 1976, and that the Catholics allowed this plaque to be placed here.

Where Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, asking Peter three times, “Lovest Thou me?”

Magdala. The most amazing painting of the woman with the issue of blood reaching out to Jesus.

Worshipping at the Sea of Galilee.

Aqueduct built by Herod the Great, north of Caesarea Maritime.

Jericho. According to some, it is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

The location of Elijah’s “school of the prophets.”

Beit Hogla. The Valley of the Foreskins. Israel had not practiced circumcision during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Circumcision (Gen 17) was a mark on the body, part of the covenant making ceremony in the Ancient Near Eastern Culture. Before the Battle of Jericho, they needed to reestablish the covenant with Yahweh.

Across the Jordan River, thus in Jordan. Mt. Nebo. The location where Moses saw into the Promised Land.

Qumran. Remarkable discovery - found in caves in 1947 - the Dead Sea Scrolls. The entire book of Isaiah… and many other manuscripts. The oldest copies of the Bible.

Ezekiel 47 prophesies that water will flow underground from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, bringing fresh water and springs to the edges of the Dead Sea. It is happening now. It is prophetic, indicating a soon coming Messiah.

This fresh water, alongside the edges of the salt and mineral water, is producing trees, bushes, and bamboo. Birds are bringing in fish eggs, thus fish are present. This is God’s “appetizer course.” Get ready for the “main course.”

Check out Zechariah 14 to understand when the Messiah comes to the Mount of Olives (the actual place where Jesus was crucified, and buried), where He will descend to earth, and the Mount of Olives will split in two, with water pouring west into the Mediterranean and east into the Dead Sea. Quite exciting! Yes!

Masada. You know the story.

The rugged mountains where Jesus faced 40 days of temptation.

We were here on the southern steps of the Temple where the Holy Spirit was released and the church, the ecclesia, was birthed. I (Jim) pray for a release of the Spirit in and on us / me.

While many of you were participating in REDEDICATE 250, those of us in Israel were joining with you as best we could, from Israel’s holy sites.

Pre-dedication of America to God from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem - led by former member of the Knesset Rabbi Yehuda Glick. Jerusalem is seven hours ahead of Washington DC time, the REDEDICATE 250. To watch the video, click on the picture above or view it here.

While Americans gathered in Washington DC for, or watched by livestream, REDEDICATE 250, we were with a group in Israel.

We participated in REDEDICATE 250 by playing the video of President Trump reading the Scripture while we were in Jerusalem. Watch his video here.

We then listened to Speaker Mike Johnson pray the majestic REDEDICATION PRAYER while driving through Samaria (an area that needs to be formally recognized as being Israel, formally annexed by Israel). Watch his video here.

Then we played Lou Engle’s convicting prayer. Watch it here.

When he asked the crowd to go to their knees, we did that as well, at Shiloh, on the very site where the Tabernacle stood for 369 years when Shiloh was the Capitol of Israel before Jerusalem. Three powerful videos. Three profoundly significant locations.

Our friend Jenna Lewinsky personally bought the spotted sheep (some have 4 horns, some even have 6 horns) all across Canada, which genetically tested to be from the time of Jacob and his father in law Laban (Genesis 31), brought them back to Israel (after great struggles) which fulfilled a 2,700 year old prophecy that the shepherds and their sheep would return to Israel (Jeremiah 31).

That chapter also prophesies that the notzrim (watchmen) will help reestablish the vineyards of Samaria. Notzim is the modern Hebrew word for “Christian.” Through Tommy Waller and Ha Jovel, that 2,700 Scripture is also being fulfilled.

Other Scriptures prophesy the reestablishment of the oxen and cattle on pastures in Samaria. The prophesy is also coming to life. A cow is the best “compost machine," thus the soil is being built up. These are only a few of the exciting things happening in Israel.

The Word of God is being fulfilled!
(Our next trip - October 2026. Click here for more information.)

Where was Jesus born? Not at the site of the Church of the Nativity. That is modern Bethlehem. Ancient Bethlehem’s ruins are near Ramat Rachel, south of Jerusalem. Jesus was born at the Migdal Eder (watchtower of the flock), according to Micah 4:8, in Bethlehem Ephrata, Micah 5:2.

That is the area where Ruth and Boaz met. So where is the “Migdal Eder,” the actual birthplace of Jesus? We are one of the few groups who wet out to this remarkable site. It is one of my favorite places to go to.

And…in case you have not heard, are you aware that over 1,000 artifacts were taken from this site and are now in the United States? The story is amazing. Here are pictures of this important site.

Joppa. Home of Simon the Tanner.

Notice the sign accidentally left off the “r” for Peter, thus “Pete the Apostle.” ?

In the Schindler's List movie, the couple who got married in the concentration camp were Joseph and Rebeka Bau. After the war, they found each other and had a second formal ceremony. He became the “Walt Disney of Israel” in animated movies.

His daughters - Cilia and Hadasa (they are like sisters to Rosemary) - still operate the Joseph Bau Museuem, the world’s smallest museum. You MUST see it.

Rosemary brought Debbie Smerecnik on a trip to Israel who ended up writing and producing the amazing new movie - Bau: Artist at War. You really need to watch it.

All recent Presidents promised to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Only one kept his word: Donald Trump.

Former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman was a fabulous ambassador. Current U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is fabulous!

Years ago, we flew from San Diego to Texas just to see a cow, well, actually a heifer. Why? It was a perfect red heifer, with no blemishes and no white or gray hairs. Numbers 19 records the “Red Heifer Ceremony.”

This is not a sacrifice. It is a ceremony. According to Jewish tradition, it has occurred only 9 times in history. The 10th, they say, will be done either by the Messiah or for the Messiah.

The Red Heifers – five of them – were flown to Israel and are now in Shiloh. This is such a big deal, that the leaders of Hamas, on the 100th day of the war, said that one of the reasons they attacked Israel on October 7, was because of “those red cows.”

Two of the five heifers disqualified themselves (no longer “perfect”). One was used as a “practice” run, to do the ceremony. There are so many stories about all this that I wish I had the time to tell you.

Go with us to Israel in October of 2026 and see the Red Heifers for yourself, and hear the amazing stories regarding the Red Heifers. We would like to introduce you to Byron Stinson, Tsaki Mamo, and Chris Granzow who are truly amazing teachers regarding the Red Heifers.

The general thinking among some Jews is (though not unanimous) that there is a chronological order: Red Heifer Ceremony (a combination of cleansing and establishing life over death), then the 3rd Temple, then the Messiah.

We are living in exciting times.
“Come quickly, Lord Jesus.”

One of my favorite places to see in Israel is Bethel (Beit El – House of God). This has only been developed recently. A few years ago, we had to walk there. Buses could not get there. There were not even any signs up.

Now the buses can get there, and nice signage has been added.
Bethel is the place were Jacob slept, using a stone as a pillow, and had the dream of angels ascending and descending, meaning a connection with heaven (Genesis 28). Years later, after King Saul, King David and King Solomon, Israel split north vs. south.

What are some of the indications that this is the place?
1) Jeroboam, king in the north, established a false temple in Bethel (1 Kings 12) with golden calves to worship. The axis (it was not facing east - and was at an odd angle) of the temple was to point to the place where Jacob has slept, approximately 50 feet away.

2) A church was built right beside the sight in the Crusader period (1100s).

3) A tiny mosque was built there during the early Muslim period.

4) Graves are nearby. They wanted to be buried near this holy site.

5) A wall was built for protection…

6) and a small fortress was erected, once again, to protect this holy site.

Why?

All of these wanted to be close to the site of Jacob’s dream. We always stop here for a time of prayer as it is a type of portal to heaven.

One of the most notable destinations in Israel is in the heartland of the nation, specifically Samaria, where the city of Shiloh stands. Shiloh served as Israel's capital for 369 years during the period of the Judges, preceding the monarchical era in Israel.

This site holds significant historical importance as the residence of the priest Eli and the place where Hannah prayed for a child and subsequently dedicated Samuel to the Lord at a young age.

Additionally, it was the location of the Ark of the Covenant until its capture by the Philistines, later returned to the Israelites. Notably, it was after this period that David conquered the Jebusites, renaming their city Jerusalem, around 1,000 BC. Archaeological digs are happening in Shiloh, led by Archaeologist Scott Stripling (pictured).

Happy Pentecost (Shavuot):
As a general rule, I am not as moved by paintings as I am by music. However, our group went to the Notre Dame Hotel in Jerusalem where Daniel Cariola from Chile, South America (the same artist who painted the astounding painting in Magdala, Israel of the woman with the issue of blood reaching out to Jesus - one of the most moving ever!) spent seven years painting Pentecost in the Upper Room. It is on all four walls, and on the ceiling.

It features all the key figures of the New Testament, and he even painted himself into the mural. He only showed 119 persons because you - as the observer - are the 120th of the 120 persons who were in the Upper Room.

When the recorded narration explaining who each person was ended, we were so moved, our entire group sat in silence for a long time, maybe 10 or 15 minutes. It was profoundly spiritually impactful. If you go to Jerusalem, make sure you experience this painting.

In Jerusalem, while surrounded by hundreds of Jews, we saw a man. He looked distinguished. I am an extrovert. And I am extremely curious about people. All people. I wish I knew everyone’s story.

So I initiated eye contact. I said, “Good morning.” He responded warmly. Even his voice rang with authority. That was it. But a few moments later, my curiosity consumed me. So I initiated a conversation, “So are you from here in Jerusalem?” “No,” he responded, “I am from Tel Aviv.” “What do you do?” Him: “I am the (former) Head Rabbi of Israel.” We ended up having a fantastic conversation.

This man has the weight of the world on him. He is Amichai Chikli, the Minister of the Diaspora. What is that? He serves as one of 30 Ministers (picture a Presidential Cabinet) under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

There are approximately 15,000,000 Jews in the world. About 45% of them are in Israel.

His task: To help protect the approximate 8 million Jews - the Diaspora (dispersed) who are all over the world OUTSIDE of Israel, an enormous task.

Had a wonderful meal with him.

This man (like Amichai Ckikli) has the weight of the world on him.

He is Yehuda Kaploun, from Florida, appointed by President Trump as the “United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism” globally!

I asked what does he do? He said, “I care for Jews all over the world.”

There are approximately 15,000,000 Jews in the world. His task: To help protect them from rising antisemitism. An enormous task.

Tucker Carlson criticized the fact that his position was even created. My response: “Well, Tucker, it is because of people like you that we need a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.”

We had a remarkable and fun meeting with him. He is a trained rabbi, so he was theologically engaging. He is a successful businessman, so he has a pragmatic, “can-do” approach to life.

Over the years, Rosemary has been told she looks like Marilyn Monroe hundreds of times. On a half a dozen times (primarily when we are overseas), people have said “You look like Donald Trump.” I don’t - but they say it.

But today, in Jerusalem, in the Mamilla Mall, near the Jaffa Gate, a lady came up to me, convinced I was … (wait for it - drumroll) … US Ambassador Mike Huckabee! That hit me so funny.

I grabbed my phone and recorded her … and sent it to Mike Huckabee. He texted back immediately (with his incredible sense of humor). Here is the video I texted to Mike (click on the picture above or watch the video here).

One of my favorite speakers in Israel is Avi Lipkin (father of Aaron Lipkin and father in law to Eti Lipkin; Folks: Rosemary’s tours … working with Lipkin Tours… are THE BEST! I can back that up.)

Avi’s wife speaks Arabic. She has worked in intelligence. Back before 9-11, she listened to the “chatter,” and heard them saying, “We are going to fly planes into tall buildings in New York City.”

She told her husband Avi. He tried to tell many others. They would not listen.

Then the Muslim Arabs flew planes into tall buildings in New York City.

People said, “Avi, you are a prophet.”

He said, “No, my wife listened to them saying what they were going to do. She told me. I told you. You didn’t believe me. I am no prophet. I merely reported what they said they would do!”

Avi is gutsy. He is an Orthodox Jew. He noticed that the Muslim Arabs have lots of representation in the Knesset (Parliament), but the Christians - there are many in Israel - have none.

So he started the Bible Bloc Party. (Unlike America which has 2 major parties, Israel has dozens of political parties.)

They have no members in the Knesset yet, but he is working tirelessly on this. A fascinating man.

Praying as the Western Wall. Now that prayer is allowed for Jews on the Temple Mount (Zion), it is must better to pray up there. This is merely the West retaining wall of the 36 acre temple “platform.”

It is still a special place.

Temple Mount, called Zion. Here is what is called the Dome of the Spirits.

This is the actual site of exposed bedrock of Mt Moriah.

This is the site of David’s threshing floor.

And this is, I believe, the actual site of the 1st Temple, Solomon’s Temple (for many reasons).

Solomon’s Temple was not located at the Dome of the Rock (a few feet to the south).

This is sacred ground, likely the site of the altar.

The Israeli forces took control of the Temple Mount in June of 1967. Tragically, the Minister of Defense at the time made them give it back to Jordan.

It is very complex but Jordan has technical control of it, but Israeli law enforcement/military “administer” it.

My first trip to Israel (I have been 29 times) was in 1981. We could go on the Temple Mount and could enter the (Islamic) Dome of the Rock (built in approximately 700 AS, 1,700 years after the Jews took Jerusalem, and 700 years after the time of Christ).

Christians and even Jews were not allowed to pray on the Temple Mount…only Muslims.

Our very good friend Rabbi Yehuda Glick was arrested hundreds of times for praying there.

On October 29, 2014, he was shot four times in the chest by a Muslim for saying that Muslims, Jews, and Christians should be able to pray on the Temple Mount. (We were across the street in the Mt. Zion Hotel from where he was shot. We also happened to be in the Knesset the day he became a Member of the Knesset about one year later.)

Now - finally - Jews are allowed to pray on their own sacred site.

Note:
Jerusalem is mentioned approximately 600 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, and about 200 times in the New Covenant. But …Jerusalem is never mentioned in the Koran.

Mohammed was never in Jerusalem (though he later claimed he went there in a dream).

So after all these years, Jews are finally allowed to pray on the Temple Mount, their holy site.

Christians cannot yet. Our day will come.

It was a joy to see families of Jews walking freely around the Temple Mount freely praying.

To watch the videos, click on the three pictures above or view them here: Video 1, Video 2, and Video 3.

We hope you have enjoyed this whirlwind tour of Israel with us.

We invite you to come with us to Israel in October 2026. Click here for info.

Or join in May or October of 2027.

But above all, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

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