We look at Petra and see a wonder of how nature has carved the rock and what humankind has carved into the rock. But the greatest wonder is the stories of the civilization, the people who lived there. The Nabateans. As I understand it this Arab tribe first lived as bedouins in the Negev Desert eventually spreading into the Kingdom of the… Read More »Day12: Petra
After a tenuous start at the border … waiting for permission to pass into the country not once but twice … we entered Jordan, an arresting mountainous country of 60% desert. (Our guide told us that the Jordan desert can be seen from space.) Here we walked backward into our story: Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River, John the Baptist emerging from… Read More »Day11: Jordan
This morning was the day of rest. We worshipped at Christ Church the first and oldest Protestant Church in Jerusalem. It was established by Michael Solomon Alexander, a Messianic believer whose heart God burdened to reach His chosen people for Christ. He arrived in Jerusalem the 1830’s and began looking for land to purchase. Through God’s intervention and the generosity of many… Read More »Day10: Christ Church & the Tower of David
The day was full to overflowing. I just spent over 20 minutes with my roommate trying to remember all that we saw and when we saw it. We are still unclear. It happens when you experience too much to assimilate and digest. So, here are highlights that stood out after my conversation with roommate. A hill and a stone: The Mount of… Read More »Day9: A hill, a stone, a tomb, and a song
We were packed in like sardines. Literally. Waiting in ”line” wasn’t so bad even though it stretched the length of The Church of the Nativity (at least twice the length of Messiah if not more) and was very fluid with people coming and going at all points along the way (that’s why I put ”line” in quotes. It only resembled a line… Read More »Day8: Stars
Books are written about one aspect of the Temple Mount, so what shall I tell you from my walkabout there? The Scriptures that kept coming to mind were Jesus’ two predictions: 1. Regarding the Temple not one stone will be left upon another and, 2. I will come again. First, you need to know that if there is a holy site in… Read More »Day7: The Temple Mount …
Today I had three conversations with three different people who all started a conversation about how the world hasn’t changed much since … well since it was governed by people. Yesterday, I mentioned that we had other stops along our way to Qumran. One of those was Beit Shean a vast Roman city that was built upon ruin upon ruin upon ruin… Read More »Day6: Masada & The Dead Sea
Traveling the Rift Valley south I was reminded of a phrase my niece said during our first visit to Israel: Just add water. Without water the land is rocky, arid, dry. Just add water and … voila! lush, green valleys and hillsides of banana, plum, peach cherry, apple, orange, lime and lemon, grapefruit, and pomegranate trees. And the grapevines and fields of… Read More »Day 5: The Jordan
Oh my. What words to describe Ceasarea-Philippi? A vast yawning cave dominates this ancient pagan place of worship. Before an earthquake changed the direction of the water that now flows as a rippling stream leading to the cave, it used to rush forcefully from its mouth. People would bring their sacrifice to the gods, whose statues ruled in judgment from the niches… Read More »Day 4: Who do you say that I am?
It’s the end of Day 3 and I’ve not had any time until now to let you in on Day 2. There’s way too much to share … way too much … so here are highlights: Ceasarea Maritime is an impressive ruin of Herod’s city built to impress and gain Caesar’s favor but Mt. Carmel beats it hands down. Mtr. Carmel (or… Read More »Day 2 & 3: Fasten your seatbelts …