Exploring Israel-Palestine

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All Nations: Gethsemane and the Church

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All Nations: Gethsemane and the Church

A visit to one of Jerusalem's most famous landmarks teaches us that there is no death without perseverance at Gethsemane and that there is no "Church of All Nations" without death.

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Slippers and a clothesline

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Slippers and a clothesline

“What does that do?” I ask, as I come up the trail behind a middle-aged woman. I eye a widget dangling from a ‘biner on her backpack.

“Wham-O’s new particle levitator.”

Fwooooooooot, I whistle. “It looks so different! I didn’t think they could compact it any more.”

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Restoration

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Restoration

We enter the manicured grounds of the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. Here, on the edge of the Sea of Galilee, we remember Peter's restoration.

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Jesus trail report, 2017

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Jesus trail report, 2017

Thirteen explorers from five U.S. states met at the opening of 2017 to walk the Jesus Trail. The Trail is a blazed course that passes through urban and rural regions of northern Israel-Palestine. Many sites of significance were encountered by the group; these give testimony to the deep and diverse history of the area known as Galilee.

Mutabak Master

We visited with our dear friend Abu Samir today. His family has been making pastries in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City for 200 years. The mutabak (made of goat cheese, butter, nuts, and syrup) is as light as a feather and is the most delicious pastry you will ever find. His version of mutabak is so famous locally, it is called by his family name, the "Zalatimo." I dare you to find his secret shop (clue: there are no signs).

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Mysteries and moses' mentor

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Mysteries and moses' mentor

We stand alone in the room of stone. Husam gestures, “This is the grave of Jethro, the teacher of Moses.”

I knew it was coming and yet his words still catch me by surprise. Husam’s face is sober. His words are deliberate. Moses had a mentor. And, according to the biblical text, a father-in-law. 

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My hot garish ride

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Most of my misadventures in the Bible Lands involve cars. And police and/or soldiers. And white fuel cooking stoves. But we must remain focused. So I will direct my comments toward one motorcar with which I am all too familiar.

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Weather or not

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Weather or not

The Mediterranean World is favored by good weather. Certainly, it has its share of rain and thunder and ice and bluster; these are but temporary guests. Its Princeps civitatis is the sun. Brilliant Helios. Sol. Shemesh. Shems.

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Houghing and uh-oh-ing

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The lanky surgeon leaned back on his stool. His feet touched the floor. His head touched the wall. Thus elongated, he grimaced, then pronounced, "it's avulsed." 

"Avulsed," of course, is doctorspeak for "you ripped that sucker clean off the bone."

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Personal security

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International travel is riskier than sitting in your pajamas in the living room with the curtains closed. Of course, if you are eating an entire bowl of cheese dip with a spoon while watching Netflix . . . well, never mind. Deep down, you want to go outside and play. Maybe even visit the lands of the Bible. But you are afraid. So let me help. Wipe the dip from your chin and read on.