I don’t know about you, but I always find transitions stressful. I know the reason for this, of course–I am a high “J” [Google “Myers-Briggs profile”], which means I love structure, order, and patterns [and, conversely, I do not do well with spontaneity, flexibility, or sudden changes]. That means that transitions are always a little…… Continue reading Transitions
Te-bow!
It is 4:00 am on Sunday, January 15th, and I am awake. Why? Because the ESPN channel here is covering the Broncos/Patriots game live!!! (I saw on ESPN last night that they were going to show both games.) I woke up at the end of the first quarter, just in time to watch Brady throw…… Continue reading Te-bow!
Pictures from January 14
The Dead Sea, looking across to JordanThe nice guy making my pomegranate juice – so good!The modern city of JerichoCamels!The caves at QumranClimbing up the Snake Path to MasadaThe site of the Roman ramp to Masada
What is a Pilgrimage?
I have been thinking about the definition of “pilgrimage” ever since we have been in Israel, and today’s travels provide a great opportunity to say more about that. What makes a pilgrimage? Surely, one important part of the definition is the place to which/in which one travels. Can you make a pilgrimage to the bank,…… Continue reading What is a Pilgrimage?
My Top Ten Pictures of Israel thus Far
The church on the Mount of BeatitudesThe cave where Elijah is said to have heard God in the silenceThe rock on which Jesus is said to have breakfasted with his disciples after the resurrection, at the Sea of GalileeAt the Church of the Annunciation – the image from ThailandMuskrats in the Jordan RiverThe cute National…… Continue reading My Top Ten Pictures of Israel thus Far
Pictures from Day 10
The Bell Caves at Bet GuvrinThe NegevThe Long-fingered BatThe Holiest of Holies at Arad
Animals–Common & Unique
I cannot tell a lie: when I am finally back home and telling tales from this trip, trying to recount from memory all that I did and saw, I guarantee that I will forget this day entirely! Why? Because it was a day of rocks; and, as should be patently clear to even the casual…… Continue reading Animals–Common & Unique
Pictures from Jerusalem
The Old City of Jerusalem from the Mount of OlivesJew praying at the Western WallOn the Via DolorosaThe altar over the place where Jesus was buriedThe Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu,commemorating where Peter denied JesusThe Church of the Holy SepulchreThe Dome of the RockThe rock inside the Church of All Nations, where Jesus is…… Continue reading Pictures from Jerusalem
Day Eight–REALLY Holy Places!
So, today I finally get a chance to do a little comparative theology! Most of you know that my sabbatical work is geared toward practical research and writing in comparative theology, which is a most fascinating, wonderful discipline that begins from one’s own committed faith position, goes out from one’s spiritual home & dwells for…… Continue reading Day Eight–REALLY Holy Places!
Day Seven–Jerusalem!
It has been totally amazing to be here in Jerusalem today–I’m so glad we are finally here! I think I’m glad we did the trip in the order we did, though: I feel like we had some time in more isolated spots to get used to being in Israel just generally; and now we are…… Continue reading Day Seven–Jerusalem!
Happy Lutheran 