Yesterday we took a walking tour of Old Jerusalem. What a fascinating mixture of sights, sounds, and even smells.
It’s also a composite of Christian, Jewish and Muslim culture, heritage and religious belief. Surrounded by ancient walls, it’s home to such ancient sites as the Islamic shrine, Dome of the Rock, also called the Golden Dome, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which dates back to the 4th century and the Western Wall. Continue reading
Filed under Bible Lands, Uncategorized
A typical day for this tour has been a wake-up call at 6:30 AM. Breakfast at 7:00. Board the bus at 8:00. A lunch break around 12:00 or 1:00. And back at the hotel around 5:00. After a hot shower, a little rest and a buffet dinner, we’re usually ready to call it an evening. Yesterday was no exception. Continue reading
Filed under Bible Lands, Uncategorized
After a delicious buffet breakfast at the David Hotel and Spa we said goodbye to the Dead Sea and began our trek back North.
It was a short drive to Masada, where Herod the Great built one of his Palaces in 30 B.C. Around 68 A.D. a group of Jewish zealots conquered it and Masada became their last stronghold before the Romans besieged it. Rather than fall captive to the Romans they committed suicide and left behind what has become a “saga of courage, heroism, and martyrdom.” Continue reading
Filed under Bible Lands, Uncategorized
Yesterday we left our lovely little hotel in Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee and drove South toward the Dead Sea.
Among the highlights of the day were stops at Jezerel, the site of Ahab’s palace and Naboth’s vineyard. Jericho, the first city conquered by Joshua during the conquest of Canaan and billed as the world’s oldest city. Seeing the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism. And ending the day by floating on the Dead (Salt) Sea. Continue reading
Filed under Bible Lands, Uncategorized
We are enjoying this little family-owned hotel, The Ron Beach, right on the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias. A convenient location. Good food. And great views.
Yesterday we were able to walk to their dock behind the hotel and board a boat for a ride across the Sea of Galilee. I’ve been on a lot of boat rides in my life. But this just wasn’t any boat ride. It’s the Sea were the apostles fished. Where Jesus called Simon and Andrew (Mk 1:16). Where Jesus walked on the water. And where he calmed the storm. Continue reading
Filed under Bible Lands, Uncategorized
Among yesterday’s highlights of our second full day of touring the Bible lands was visiting sites on the North side of the Sea of Galilee.
We began at Hazor which Joshua conquered during the conquest of Canaan and burned the city (Josh 11:13). It is mentioned several other times in the Old Testament.
Dan was a fascinating stop where Jeroboam, the first King of the Northern Tribes of Israel, set up an altar and built a calf for the people to worship (1 Kings 12:29-30). Continue reading
Filed under Bible Lands, Jesus
After a very short night in the resort town of Netanya, we began in earnest our first full day of seeing the “land of promise.”
Our first stop was Caesarea Maritima, where the gospel was first preached to the Gentiles by the apostle Peter. The Roman Centurion Cornelius lived there and was the first Gentile convert. (Ax 10). We also saw the amphitheater. The site of Herod the Great’s Mediterranean palace. And the place where Herod Agrippa I was stricken dead by the Lord (Ax. 12). Continue reading
Filed under Bible Lands, Uncategorized
After a very smooth 11 hour fly from JFK and some unexpected adverture on the road to Netanya, this is the view Norma Jean and I woke up to this morning from our hotel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
For several years I’ve had on my “bucket list” a trip to Israel. Now for the next 10 days, we get to walk where the apostles, prophets, and Jesus walked.
I cannot help but think of God’s call to Abraham recorded in Genesis 12:1. “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Several years ago I heard a story about a little girl who was unaccompanied on a cross country flight.
Soon after takeoff, the pilot’s voice came on and calmly told the passengers, “We will not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”
Pretty soon the turbulence increased. Lightning was flashing. Thunder was cracking. And the plane was shaking. Many of the passengers were concerned. The man relating the incident, a veteran of many flights, even confessed, he was feeling some discomfort. Continue reading
Filed under Commitment, Faith
“You can do it,” a father kindly urges his son as he faces a tough task.
“You can do it,” a teacher confidently encourages a student who is grappling with a difficult assignment.
“You can do it,” bellows a coach to inspire a team who is behind at half time.
“You can do it,” positively implores a preacher to a struggling Christian. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
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