Every Israel Pilgrimage has a character of its own. This is my 27th trip and the first time my wife, Carol, has come with me to Israel. This is also the first time I’ve been sick on an Israel trip, that is sick enough that it knocked me out for a whole day. Tough stomach virus and it affected my wife and me. We missed the first day in the Galilee. I’m looking for the lesson.

Today sure made up for our lost day. We began the day at Kursi, the place of the demoniac, then on to Chorazin, Sepphoris, Nazareth Overlook, En Harod, Bet Alpha (6th century synagogue) and ended our tour day at Bet Shean. It was a torrid pace and I’m worn out.

I think the thing that impacted me the most were our devotionals. Dr. Dukes spoke on the Lord’s Prayer as we began our day. Students spoke at most of the sites. It was a day of teaching, touring and praying. I noted at the end of the day as we turned towards Maagan there was a lot of laughter and joy. Praise the Lord. Thank you for today. Blessings to you from the Galilee.

Rejoice in Christ
We have the favor of God
Christ has paved the way
We receive His grace and peace

Do not worry for things you need
His grace is sufficient each day
He is actively giving His peace
This will change the way we live

No longer prisoners of darkness
We live in the light of His love
Our fellowship with Christ
Equips us to love one another

Do not fear or slink away
Face each day with confidence
You can be like Jesus
Look to Him for your strength

Rejoice in your life
Live it with love
Fellowship where you are
Christ in you is your hope

The Lord is near
He has placed His favor on you
Your life is real and worth a lot
Shine like Christ where you are

Clay Corvin 12/26/09

Pray for those you know
Pray for their peace and joy
Pray that they will have a good life
Pray they will grow in Christ
Pray for their health and well-being
Pray they will be partners in spreading the Gospel

People count with Jesus
He died to set us free
He lives to serve and help us grow
Gratitude for our life is a start
We stand upon what we are
Thank you Lord for the life you give us

Rejoice for our Lord has come
He lives to give us life
He has a plan that we can work
He has called us to a partnership
We are fellow workmen in the Garden of God
The Lord chooses you to be His agent

Rejoice in victory
Rejoice in defeat
Rejoice when your feet hurt
Rejoice when your life isn’t neat
In all things and every way rejoice
Jesus is Lord and He is Lord of us

Clay Corvin 12/26/09

Know Him more each day
Read the Bible
Think about what you read
Put what you read to work in your life
Apply His wisdom to everything you do
Bend the knee to Jesus and He will guide you

Let the Holy Spirit guide your steps
Be sensitive to Him
Knowing that He will always lift up Jesus
You will too if you follow Him
As you love Jesus more and know Him better
He will put those around you on your heart

People need Jesus
They will see our Godly life
They will get to know us
We will love them and help them at every opportunity
The Holy Spirit will guide our Words
When people trust us they will try Jesus

Be prepared each day
Jesus is coming back soon
Live a life that will lift up Christ
Be ready for His return
Live as if He is coming today
Even though it may be many days from now

When we love the Lord
Grow in knowledge daily
Let His wisdom guide us
We will love Him more
We will love people around us more
Christ will be proclaimed in all we do

Clay Corvin 12/26/09

Shepherds are often lonely
No respect for what they do
Caring for the Temple’s sheep
Cold, wild, trying their very soul
They took care of the sheep

Shepherds didn’t fear anyone or anything
They were struggling
In the world and full of it
Many dark nights they were as scared as their sheep
Strange how our mind works, fear respects no one

A young man appeared out of nowhere
Brightly shinning, lighting up their place
Fear was their immediate reaction
The young man, an angel, spoke to their hearts
Do not fear, I bring you good news

A Savior is born in Bethlehem
Wrapped in cloths lying in a manger
He will save you from your sin
You will no longer fear
Your redeemer is alive, He has come for you

The Shepherds heard the young man, an angel
They believed his words A Savior is born in Bethlehem
The responded by going to see the Christ Child
They believed, it changed their life
They rejoiced glorifying and praising God

CC 12/19/09

Life is hard
fear is deep
no one sheltered
the world never sleeps

Christ came on Christmas
fear not the angel said
God has come to His people
no more dread

Stop all of your cringing
not me you say
any number of conditions
will make you cry today

Christ came to people
especially those unloved
His love changes us
each and every day

A new heart
a new life
peace like a river
fear no longer has a place

Rejoice and sing
to the newborn king
Christ is here
He has come to you

Foretold for 3,000 years
Someone is coming, the lamb of God
He is the Son of God
Creator of all – come to mankind
Born of a virgin, in a manger, in Bethlehem

His mission was to save us
We couldn’t save ourselves
Our days are harsh and unfair
Jesus changes all of that-He saves us
Salvation gives us a relationship with God

God’s precious Son came into our world
Lived under our rules and restrictions
Totally submitted to the Father
His faith was perfect-His life perfect
His journey was for you and me

Jesus, Son of God, brought truth and life to us
His light was for our life
Giving us what we need and cannot earn
His grace was more than enough for each of us
Always overflowing from His heart

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life
Giving us a seat at the banquet table of God
Making us children of God
Equipping us to spend time with God
His forgiveness is the gift of life

God is with us- we are no longer alone
His salvation equips us to live life now
Our future is secure, nothing can separate us from God’s love
Our past is no more, Jesus gives us a new heart-a new life
Today becomes the best day-Jesus is Lord in me

Clay Corvin 12/12/09

Do you believe in angels?
Created beings
Serving God
Sometimes appearing to mankind

Mary didn’t know a thing about angels
Gabriel appeared
Mary trusted God
The angel didn’t scare her

Mary, you will give birth
He will be Jesus the Son of God
How can this be?
Mary listened and thought

God said Mary was a favorite
He sent Gabriel to clarify
She would birth the Messiah
Mary surrendered her life

Trust and discipline
Her character was critical
Counting herself a servant
With childlike faith she believed God

This was a real event
Experienced by real people
The presence of the Lord God
Witnessed by Mary

Cultivate a humble heart.. claim God’s grace for your life
Think on His Word-meditate day and night
Believe in the Lord, He will deliver you
Submit your way unto the Lord – He will not disappoint

Clay Corvin 12/05/09

Unclean, unclean my heart declares
My hands and feet agree
All the sin my life has spawned
Has made a leper out of me

No you can’t see the festering wounds
They encircle my heart
Hidden from sight the sores of life
They move me into the night

I’ve worked so hard to find my way
All my steps my own
Even as I declared my faith
The Lord said he is on his own

I worked harder trying to please
Almost there my sin would reveal
The thing that Lorded over me
Self, and self and self again, only Jesus can save me

I kissed the ground at Jesus feet
Oh Lord I’m desperate to be healed
Only you can save my soul
Jesus please forgive me

Jesus Christ the Lord of life
Reached forth His nail scarred hand
Be healed my son and follow me
Jesus gave life to me

Clay Corvin 11/28/09

Evil done, repented, sung
Jehoahaz thought of God as a servant
Calling for help against Aram
Dying as he lived, doing evil in God’s sight

Where O’ Lord can we hide?
Why should I think my evil will escape your sight?
But I do, for my ways and days are evil
Thanks be unto God, Jesus is my salvation

Oh how sweet to say His name, Jesus
The joy of His voice fills my soul,
No other name can save us
He is the One and only, God’s son, Jesus

Today my soul is sad
I have recounted all my sin
Knowing I have missed some
Praise God that Jesus has saved me

I know how sad my sin makes Him
It is a burden, a mark on my soul
Cleanse me of my wicked ways
Jesus, lover of my soul, make me whole