Any pilgrimage to Israel should include a cable car ride, or a walk, up to the palatial ruins of Herod the Great at Masada. The Judean King captured this desert outpost in 43 BC from the Hasmonean rulers who had first developed it. According to the historian, Josephus, Masada was the last stand for 960 Sicarii (Jewish extremist rebels) opposing the Romans in 73 AD. The site’s … [Read more...] about The mountain fortress – Masada
Releasing the burden of busyness
I did something today I haven’t done for years. I sat in an easy chair in the lounge of a Rwandan B&B on a March morning soaking in the soothing warmth of sunshine, the ceaseless river of birdsong, the pleasant chatter of visiting community members, and I released the burden of busyness. I even almost dozed off. It wasn’t John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of … [Read more...] about Releasing the burden of busyness
The good news the tomb of Jesus is empty
The good news is that it’s still empty. Not only on resurrection morning but all year long. Huddled outside the Old City walls near the Damascus Gate at the site of a bus station, by a rocky structure faintly once resembling a skull, sits a garden tomb which some protestants have pegged as the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. The garden tomb is said to have been … [Read more...] about The good news the tomb of Jesus is empty
Capernaum – the home of Jesus
Stepping into the very places, streets and vicinities where Scripture captures the specifics of God walking and talking with men, continues to be a transformational experience for many. But what is there about the places Jesus chose for his home and ministry? For example, why Capernaum (Nahum’s village)? Strolling through the exposed foundations of basalt stone gives little … [Read more...] about Capernaum – the home of Jesus
Walking in the steps of Jesus in Nazareth
Walking in the steps of Jesus can be a transformational experience for many as they see the places where much of our Scripture played out. Have you ever wanted to time travel? Walking back to 2,000 years ago becomes a lot easier when you have something visible and tangible to experience. Nazareth Village is one such place. One hundred thousand people a year stroll through … [Read more...] about Walking in the steps of Jesus in Nazareth