Insight for Living

Additional Pictures from Israel

2012-03-27T09:01:40-05:00

Welcome home, fellow travelers! Our almost-two weeks together in Israel were amazing, weren’t they? I want to personally thank you for joining us and making the trip just that much better. I know you remember Owen and Eric, our fabulous...

A Wonderful Point of View

2012-03-19T12:20:00-05:00

This was my point of view for our times together. What a wonderful time getting to meet you! Paul Sailhamer Tour Emcee

David’s Fateful Vantage Point

2012-03-15T15:42:00-05:00

Flanked on two sides by steep valleys, the ancient City of David enjoyed a tremendous military advantage—making it relatively easy to defend. At the summit, a stepped-stone structure represents one of the largest Iron Age constructions...

City of David—the Original Jerusalem

2012-03-15T10:37:00-05:00

When people picture the city of Jerusalem, they usually think of the historic Western Wall, or the Old City, or the Temple Mount crowned with the Golden Dome of the Rock. Not even the right spot! People on our tour...

Yad Vashem

2012-03-14T19:35:00-05:00

Israel's holocaust museum. Sobering. Jim C. Jade Bus 7

Video: En Gedi Gold

2012-03-14T16:31:00-05:00

The same waters that refreshed David as he ran from Saul delight Gold Bus 3 at the desert oasis of En Gedi.

Resurrecting Scripture at Qumran

2012-03-14T15:20:00-05:00

Today we saw the place where a small, first-century community scribbled away copies of the Scriptures and other texts. They sealed their scrolls in clay jars and hid them in caves near the shores of the nearby Dead Sea—the place...

A Living Symbol

2012-03-14T14:39:45-05:00

One remarkable thing about traveling in Israel is encountering living connections to the past. Take the palm tree, for example. The palm tree has long been a national symbol of the Jewish people. This stand of towering palms at the...

A Few Friendly Shepherds

2012-03-14T14:22:47-05:00

We're nearing the end of our journey and these cheerful shepherds are still smiling as they stand near the banks of the Jordan River. Left to Right: Mark Snyder, Todd Turner, Deedee Snyder, Katie Beitler, Bryant Kelley, and Mike Beitler...

Will Sing for . . . Bagels?

2012-03-14T14:12:31-05:00

A blackened pastry attached to a mandolin case? That can only mean one thing: tour musician Jeff Taylor has managed to earn himself a coveted Burnt Bagel Award! We can only guess the reason, but chances are the crime involved...

Video: Masada—A Symbol of Jewish Freedom

2012-03-14T10:32:00-05:00

Gary and Bonnie Taylor experience Jewish history and culture at the ruins of Herod's hilltop fortress.

Where Jesus Was Baptized

2012-03-14T10:16:00-05:00

Although two days ago we drove beside the Jordan River, today we got up close. And what better place than where Jesus was baptized? It wasn’t the beauty of the Jordan River that has inspired centuries of psalms, hymns, and...

Fighting for Freedom

2012-03-14T09:24:25-05:00

Herod the Great's desert citadel became the final stronghold of the Jews' brave and tragic revolt against Rome. This moving monument got me thinking about the value of freedom. How much am I willing to struggle against sin to keep...

Helpful, Friendly Characters

2012-03-14T09:10:18-05:00

The nice thing about traveling with nice people is that there are plenty of folks ready to step up to do nice things. Don Jones of Bus 1 fearlessly directs his fellow Navy busmates back with a jaunty dance. Well...

When All You Have to Cling to Is Faith

2012-03-14T08:34:04-05:00

This man brought himself to the Western Wall to pray. His disheveled appearance immediately caught my eye. He was such a contrast to the stark black and white of the other orthodox men. He prayed with such fervor as if...