It's been awhile. And yes, it has been busy. I'll try and give a quick recap since the last post.

We had an archaeological dig last week...which basically meant picking through buckets of dirt and sifting through trying to find something cool. It was dirt from the Temple Mount, which had just been bulldozed out (the Muslims didn't let the archaeologists do the digging about 10 years ago, it was a mini riot. Fortunately archaeologists are no good at staging revolts). But we actually did find some cool stuff! Found some mosaic stones, a coin, some Byzantine glass, LOTS of pottery, and the greatest find of the day was an opus sectile (which is an elegant piece of flooring made during King Herod's time).

The next interesting day was our field trip through the Shephelah (which is the land in between Jerusalem and the coast. This is where most of the battles for Judah happened.) This is where David fought Goliath. We just drove past it (I missed the field trip where we went there)...so the picture is a little shady.

Had a few more things on that field trip, but I think the one we went on today was even better. We went through Samaria, which in case you didn't know, was the most hated people in the world by the Jews at the time of Jesus. These were those who had married off when the exile happened, and the Jews regularly asked God to curse them. That makes it all the more amazing when Jesus passes through Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had dug a well and reveals to this prostitute woman that HE IS THE MESSIAH. And yes, the well is still there, but due to the political situation we couldn't go there...we had to stand on the "mountain" above it and look. (The well is the red topped church at the bottom right of the picture next to the bright blue thing).
Also today stood on the very spot that the Tabernacle stood at Shiloh. From here, the ark was sent to Aphek to battle with the Philistines...and they lost it. Samuel then packed up and fled toward Jerusalem and Shiloh was burned to the ground. Yes, I stood on the same earth as the Tabernacle...pretty exciting. I'm pointing at the tabernacle spot...not mikey :).
And we also have just some fun down time (not a whole lot...but a little bit). We took a personal day to spend the night on the beach at Tel Aviv. Volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, seafood dinners paid for by the US diplomat, and sleeping on the shores of the Mediterranean. One word--legit.
I could write much much more. But I have quite a bit to get done. I have two HUGE projects looming...I'm writing a story through the Old Testament. It's a dialogue between the angels and God about WHY He arranged the story the way He did. (It's hard trying to understand the mind of God...hopefully He gives me just a slight glimpse. I'll be stunned enough with that.) And then I'm writing a sermon on whether the Gospel is exclusive or not. Basically, what does Jesus mean when He says, NO ONE comes to the Father except through me. Does that exclude those who follow their own religions really well, or do they get thrown in to? I have a feeling I know what the answer is...but it's not real popular these days. I'll let ya know.

I leave for a 10 day Galilee trip on Saturday. I'll get to see where Jesus did almost all of his miracles...I can't wait. Then I'm back for a week, then off to work in a church for a week in Alexandria Egypt for a study break, then two weeks and I'm home. ALMOST HOME. I'd be more than happy to fill you all in with everything then. Peace.

-Jeremy

And can't go without a sweet picture. This is at Gath, the hometown of Goliath. He probably worked out in the morning in a similar manner.