Israel Trip Part 2

The last few days have been busy. The pictures on this blog are many. One is of Capernaum. It houses a first century synagogue and the house of Peter. Another picture is Nazareth. We visited the Church of Mary's Well, Church of the Annunciation and the Grotto of the Holy Family. We visited Sepphoris, an archeological dig of the first century. We also are living, nestled next to the Sea of Gallilee. As I type, it is near midnight on Saturday. On Sunday we take a cruise on the Sea of Gallilee. This has been a wonderful trip. We are not tourist, we are pilgrims. As pilgrims we take time each day to reflect on the days sites and see what God is telling us.
God has been using our prayer time to reveal more of Himself to us. I am so grateful for this trip. While I miss my family and church, I know, I believe I will return a new person because of this experience.

Israel Trip Part 1

We finally got settled in. Our Boeing 777 was broke. So after going through a second security screening and getting borded, we had to get off the plane. Thanks for the prayers. We waited in the gate area for another 777 to arrive. it took us 8 hours. So we finally get to Israel after an 8 hour wait and another 12 hours in the air for the flight. During the flight Pastor Bobo and others and me had a hot and heavy game of inflight trivia.
International travel is something. Each seat has its own video screen. You can listen to music, see tv shows, movies, etc. Food was ok. I had some Santa Fe chicken for dinner and 4 cheese pizza for breakfast. Played some video solitare, listened to some classical music and tried some other CDs on the screen.
We arrive around midnight Israel time. We take a bus to our retreat center in Gallilee (2 hours). Long day of travel, huh?
Well,no complaints from me, I am in the holyland. Our retreat center is on the Sea of Gallilee. Beautiful. After around three hours of sleep, we are on our way to Capernaum. WE see the sight of a synagogue, built around the time of Jesus, the house of Peter and an olive press. WE then travel to the Cliffs of Arba to see the Gallilean plains and the geography. Wow, what a sight to behold.
As this trip is about renewal, we spend time in prayer, Bible study and reflection. We end with dinner and time of fellowship. Keep me in your prayers.
Tomorrow we go to Nazareth and Sapphora.

Had a wonderful breakfast with Joe Torry

Although it was Memorial Day. Sis. Janet arranged a nice breakfast with Joe Torry. He is a St. Louis native who is doing great things in Hollywood. He is a comedian, actor and will probably see him direct and produce some day. My daughters and some others joined us. Joe is a great guy. I wish him much prosperity and love in the "bizness".

I am still trying to pack for my trip

This is what my unpacked suitcase looks like (well not really, if I had a suitcase opened, this is what it would look like.

I leave tomorrow and I have not packed a thing

Well, I leave for Israel tomorrow. I have spent the day getting stuff I should have gotten a while ago. A wide brim hat (they say its needed because of the sun). I did get a little burned walking in the Annie Malone May Day parade. Some hiking shoes, current converter, travel pillow (14 hour flight). I picked up some plastic packing bags, a small thing of Woolite, in case I need to wash me "unmentionables". etc. Well this might be my last post before the flight. If so, remember your prayer requests. Email me at whg747@earthlink.net.

I am hooked on Hell's Kitchen

I am hooked on Hell's Kitchen. These folks are put through the paces. As they say, If you can't stand the heat, "Get Out Of The Kitchen". My favorite this season is Jen. (Doesn't she cuss up a storm?) However, You go girl. Win your prize!

Tuesday Morning Mx Attendees

During the month of May, we had a series of workshops led by Ms. Beverly Mann of the Family Wellness Project. We had a great time.
We studied about listening, cooperating, but the most fun was the way this group interacted.

Graduates of Calvary School of Ministry and Leadership 2008

I am very proud of these graduates. Our church sponsors a school of ministry through the International School of Ministry in California. These graduates went through five trimesters of coursework. They deserve to be applauded for the time and effort to finish the school. We will start a new class in September 2008. Rev. Dr. Brian E. W. Cretter was Dean and Sis. Felicia Ramey was Registrar. Check out the website.

Pray for our Trip to Israel

Remember to pray for me. We travel to Israel on May 27. I asked the church to pray for our group at 6am or 6pm each day. Whoever reads this, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Remember send prayer requests as we will be going to the Wailing Wall during the trip. I want to take your prayer requests with me. Email me at whg747@earthlink.net.

Hooray for Imodium!

As you already know, I am on my way to Israel. No I have not packed, nor opened a suitcase. (Pray for me!) Yet, I have wonderful members of our church who are helping their pastor. One member has bought me a lot of pharmacueticals. Hooray for Imodium! And the other antacids, helpful pills, etc. Another member brought me antiembolism stockings (support hose). Hooray for support hose. We will be in the airplane a long time (over 14 hours). Will I sleep on the plane? Maybe. Will I look out of the window to see the Atlantic Ocean? Only for so long. Am I excited? I thought you knew!

My Thirtieth Anniversary as an Ordained Minister

As I reflect on thirty years of ordination, I am really giving honor to my Dad. My father, W.H. Goatley,Sr. served the First Baptist Church of Eminence, KY for over 45 years as pastor. He has served over 5 years as pastor emeritus (honoratus). My father had a very profound impact on me as a youngster. I saw his prayer life. I witnessed times he helped his congregation. In our religious tradition, we must feel a "divine call" to preach for ourselves. But I know my father so influenced me that deep inside I wanted to be like him. I tell the story of how much I wanted to drive the car as a teenager. One of the ways my father influenced me was to make me his chauffeur as he visited members in the hospital. Naturally, I went up to the hospital rooms with him. Little did I know I was receiving on the job training. So as I celebrate my ministerial anniversary on Sunday May 25, I am really celebrating my father, before father's day. God bless you dad!

American Idol Final Minutes

I honestly thought that David A. would win. Show's what I know. Congrats to the Blue Springs boy. David Cook. Does America need another Idol?

Prayer Requests For the Wailing Wall

I have notified the church that I will be going to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. I plan to take prayer requests with me. So if you have a request you want we to take, email me at whg747@earthlink.net. I may not be able to take a lot of paper with me, but the requests will be in my heart. Maybe I can place some names on a small piece of paper to stuff between the blocks of the wall. I am open to any suggestions.

We will be staying at a guest house called Pilgerhaus in Nazareth. We will spend one week there while we visit sites in Gallilee. Oh, by the way, did I mention that I will be going to Israel for a two week pastoral renewal pilgrimage? I am so excited. Sounds funny doesn't it? Any way, I am looking forward to the trip. I know My church will get tired of me referencing this trip. I have already warned them. This will be a life changing trip. Thank you Lord for the opportunity.

Hello World Wide Web

This is my first post on my first real blog. Today, I decided to start a blog because I have the opportunity to go to Israel for the first time in my life. I will be with twenty other pastors on a two week pilgrimage. We will see many sites that I have only read about in the Bible. I am very excited. I understand blogging is not easy. I will try to post two or three times a week. I don't know who will read this, but thanks for finding me. Hope you subscribe and return from time to time. I write a Bible study most weeks. I also write sermons. I might post the Bible study from time to time or a summary of sermons. Anyhow, thanks for reading. Wil