After winding our way through traffic on the streets of Jerusalem, we started our day here. I will never grow tired of this view. I just love standing here and remembering. Remembering all that has happened here, yes, but remembering that this is the City of God, and how much He loves this place. It’s … More Discover Israel- Day 12

We hiked Azekah today. It was our last hike in the woods and nature. Reading from the Text, we had a few more faith lessons about following the rabbi, and making disciples. You cannot lead well unless you learn to follow well. When you follow the rabbi at his heels, he may give you a … More Discover Israel- Day 11

Our day began at the Western Wall. It is a privilege to be allowed to pray here with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Looking out over Jerusalem, it is a joy to see the thriving city! We experience the crowded streets. There’s a vast difference between the city today and that of the city in … More Discover Israel- Day 10

We have been staying in Tiberias the last three nights. Watching the sun rise over the Galilee is a special gift. Remembering that our Rabbi was here, deepens our awareness of the Presence of the Lord in this Land. A short hike from the back side of Bet She’an brought us to the crest of … More Discover Israel- Day 9

Excitement and anticipation ran high as we approached these boats after being told we are sailing the Sea of Galilee this morning! Wake up, Jonah! Or is it Jesus who is asleep at the wheel of the boat? How do the stories of these two men impact you when you read them back to back? … More Discover Israel- Day 8

Gamla holds some rich, but also sad history. What we know about it, comes mostly from the writings of Josephus Flavius. Like the Zealots from Masada, the people who lived here were attacked, and destroyed by the Romans. What was the question in the minds of these Jewish people? “Do we compromise, and let the … More Discover Israel- Day 7

We tumbled off the bus very quickly, and off we go on another hike. Someone finds a leaning pomegranate tree. She loans it her strength and helps it stand up straight for a moment. This action speaks of her character and personality. We are getting to know each other quite well. Along the trail, a … More Discover Israel- Day 6

We are now in the green hills of the north. It is a blessing to see! But let me remind us that the desert was also fruitful. We are on our way to Nazareth Village after a Shabbat rest at our hotel this forenoon. This is a recreated first century museum. Threshing tools for grains … More Discover Israel- Day 5

Watching the sun rise over the Dead Sea was a relaxing way to start the day. A hike in the Judean Wilderness took our minds back to the writer of Psalms. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures… He restores my soul …” were … More Discover Israel- Day 4

A lesson about this fruit started our day. We were deeply challenged to check our hearts. Are we willing to live from our hearts and let others know what we are like inside? The aqueduct system that brought living water to the community of the Essenes at Qumran is amazing! It came from the rains … More Discover Israel- Day 3

We were told the sunrise at Mizpe Ramon was something we wouldn’t want to miss. We did miss it, but we still enjoyed this view- and each other. Those of us who were out early, split up to spend some quiet time with the Lord. Yesterday Stan encouraged us to keep our eyes open for … More Discover Israel- Day 2

Our journey to ”Discovering Israel” began at the Newark, NJ International Airport on May 27, 2019, where 20 people met up to travel together. Our group consists of people from Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. Twenty of us traveled together to Israel, where we met one more dear lady who came a day early- from … More Discover Israel- Day 1

We visited the garden tomb this morning, which is located just outside the old city wall and beside a hill which closely resembles a skull. The hill is now eroding, but at one time it clearly had two eyes and a nose. If Jesus was crucified here, it was most likely at the foot of … More Covenant Chorale Day 14

We’ve passed the Harp bridge every morning so far, and tonight it was lit with colorful flashing lights. Menachem’s bus and our chariot of iron. When God says that Jerusalem is engraven on His palm, he really means it. The three valleys surrounding and running through Jerusalem look like the palm of a hand. They … More Covenant Chorale, Day 13

Good morning from the Herodium, Herod’s favorite palace, fortress and mausoleum! Since Herod wanted his fortress to be the highest mountain in Judea, he had his workers carry buckets of rock and gravel to the top and extend the height of the mountain. An aqueduct  brought water from approximately 18 kilometers away, so there was … More Covenant Chorale Day 12

We journeyed from Nazareth to Jerusalem on the road that runs through the Jordan River valley. Israel has such vastly different landscape that if you fall asleep on the bus, you might think you are waking up in a different country altogether. We drove along the mountains of Gilboa. The Roman city of Bet Shean is … More Covenant Chorale Day 11

At the Sea of Galilee     Mt. of Beautitudes Baruch means to bless, or bow the knee. This is what servant leadership means.   The Jordan    

It was worth getting up half an hour early to miss the crowds this morning. It was a splendid morning and we actually needed jackets for a while. This is a beautiful national park nestled at the foothill of the Hermon, and the water that the mountain stores like a sponge comes out right at … More Covenant Chorale Day 9

Our day began with a treat that was promised to us yesterday, which turned out to be a ride on the Sea of Galilee in a beautiful wooden ship. It was a misty, peaceful morning; not at all like when Our Lord walked on the water. But I could imagine the disciples out on the … More Covenant Chorale Day 8

Herod’s aqueduct in Caesarea was our first stop this morning, for a very quick group photo.  Our program at Kibbutz Beth-El was wonderful. When we arrived, the hospitable Germans served coffee, tea, bread and cookies, then Daniel gave us some history and showed a presentation about what they do on the kibbutz and the things … More Covenant Chorale Day 7

We learned a few new Hebrew songs tonight on the bus. Katherine taught them to us as we traveled across the Judean mountains toward the Mediterranean coast from the Dead Sea. We had to stop at a checkpoint and have some officials get onto the bus to make sure that we weren’t dangerous. We tried … More Covenant Chorale Day 6

Shabbat Shalom! We had our first concert at a charming mountaintop monastery this afternoon. The bus wound its way upward through groves of olive trees and freshly plowed fields. The monastery houses both monks and nuns who cultivate and sell olives for pressed on site olive oil. They also sell honey and spices. The monastery … More Covenant Chorale Day 5

What lovely Jerusalem weather we experienced this morning! It was cool and breezy, but the day did become very warm. We spent a good portion of the day underground, exploring caves and hiding places and dragging ourselves through a crawling tunnel on hands and knees. We began at Tel Bet Shemesh, which was within the … More Covenant Chorale Day 4

The Bible is beginning to be written in color for us as we see the very places that we read about in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. Here we are, singing praises early this morning. After a breakfast including espresso, salad, bread and cheese, yoghurt and fruit; and a rehearsal session, we boarded the bus … More Covenant Chorale Day 3

Covenant Chorale’s first trip has begun! On October 17 we met at Summit View church at 10:30 a.m., where we loaded our things in the bus, had prayer and did the Shema, and headed for Dulles airport. We are currently (October 18, 5:50 Israel time) in the Ben Gurion airport waiting for the rest of … More Covenant Chorale Day 1 & 2

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:1&2 Study is at the heart of our ministry here at Talmidim Studies. This is obvious by the name we’ve chosen for our ministry. However, there are many ways in which study and personal ministry can be … More Song & Study

This morning  Abba Father served to us the best wine last, just as the bridegroom in John 2:10 did. We found a wild grapevine outside a garden that made for some beautiful illustrations and pictures that serve to implant the Text deep into our hearts never to fade away!  There was only one bunch of grapes … More Taste of Honey- Day 13

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; … More Taste of Honey- Day 12

Seeing the model city at the Israeli Museum gave us a good picture of what the city has been like.  And then we view the real thing from the top of the Mt of Olives. One can almost feel the emotions that Jesus must have had here on this mountain when He weeps over the … More Taste of Honey- Day 11

Our day began in Bet She’an. Here the god Dionesus was worshiped, but the one true God is still worshiped today.Here was hellenism at its core, and what is the end of that? Here it is ruins, but the influence of sports, arts and media, education, and entertainment still goes on in today’s world… What was it … More Taste of Honey- Day 10

For some of us, the day began with a beautiful sunrise over the Sea of Galilee.  The day of teaching began at Chorazin where we are invited to ‘hagah’ the Word. (Joshua 1:8)The heart of Jesus comes out in Matt. 5:21-34: In our way of thinking, this woman was at the wrong place if she was … More Taste of Honey- Day 9

Beginning our day at Qatsrin. Our session begins inside a first century house with the story of the four men bringing the paralytic to Jesus. They tore the roof open to let the man down. The question is raised: Who fixed the roof?  How much time do we spend looking for prodigals?  Wouldn’t you love … More Taste of Honey-Day 8

Shadows were still high on the opposite mountain, and the moon high in the sky when we started up Mt. Arbel. Give God something to bless, and enjoy the journey!Periodically, at the times when we needed a rest, the Rabbi would stand tirelessly and teach his heart out. First he paints a clear picture of … More Taste of Honey- Day 7

Today it is time to learn from Herod. He was an amazing architect, and very visionary. His ways were so opposite from what we ever want to follow. Yet we can learn so much from his life. Wait a minute! He was an unbeliever, right? How can this be that his life could speak to … More Taste of Honey- Day 6

The sunrise over the Dead Sea began the day for us. It is a brand new day, and the first day of the rest of our lives. For many of us, this day may hold a very special place in our hearts. We anticipated yet another Taste of Honey. When you look at the green in this … More Taste of Honey- Day 5

Our guides changed the itinerary and we went to Tel Be’er Sheva first.Here is where Abraham was called to,by God, to impact the world. He even made a covenant with Abimelech, a pagan king. But wait, we say— that can’t work! That’s being unequally yoked with an unbeliever! What kind of God tells us to do … More Taste of Honey- Day 4

The morning for most of us was begun with an attempt to watch the sun rise over the Ramon Crater. But those of us that rose early missed it, because breakfast time rolled around before the sun made its appearance. But we were not disappointed. The quietness and coolness of the morning was a balmy … More Taste of Honey-Day 3

Bright and early, with Psalm 119:97, 98,102,103; ‘Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your … More Taste of Honey-Day 2

We have arrived safely in the Land, the plane having been carried in the Hands of our Father,….and after stowing luggage and passengers into the crowded van,…. …We headed to Yaffo (Jaffa/Joppa), and listened to and learned from the story of Jonah. Can we choose to see repentance as a joy?  Peter also has the vision of … More Taste of Honey-Day 1

Tel Dan Caesarea Philippi Golan Heights Gamla

9:30 AM Traveling east, we are driving away from the coastal area of Tel Aviv into a greener part of the country known as the Shephelah. Here we will stop at a tel called Gezer. A tel is a geographical site once occupied (by humans, of course) but now abandoned. Once upon a time, Solomon … More Day 1: Gezer, Beit Shemesh, Azekah, Tel Maresha, and Mizpe Ramon

20:48 PM (New York City) After being served drinks and mini bagels (at least they look like bagels; reading Hebrew isn’t one of my strong points), our group of twenty-four is settling in for the rest of the 9 hr. 5 min. flight to Tel Aviv. 10:30 AM (Tel Aviv-Yafo) We are now flying over … More Welcome to Israel

These past couple days in Israel have been excellent, and it is amazing to see what God is doing in our lives! Time seems to fly as fast here in Israel, and its crazy that it’s almost been a week here in God’s land already. Our days have varied quite a bit from visiting ancient … More Learning to Trust

Mt Hope Auction 8076 State Route 241 | Mt Hope, OH 44660 Friday Evening 6:30-9:00 Saturday 9:00-3:00 (lunch provided) Sunday Morning 9:00-11:00 No reservations required. A freewill offering will be held to cover expenses Questions? 330.600.8064 We at Talmidim Studies are excited to welcome Ray Vander Laan, from That the World May Know Ministries, back … More A Weekend of Study

October 26, 2015 The house of bread, Bethlehem, is where the bread of the world was born! So today we headed to Efrat, by Bethlehem, and learned about baking bread in the Middle East. Here we patted out the dough, making little round and flat cakes of bread with seasonings. There it is. Ready for … More House Of Bread

The City of David, outside the old City Walls, is where we spent a part of our time of learning today. A 3D movie put the early history of this city in very good perspective. Then, after exploring Hezekiah’s water tunnel through the the bedrock, we walked back up the Kidron Valley to the Dung … More City of David

October 24, 2015: Shema Israel! See with your eyes, hear with your ears. The Herodian. Looking to the north out of the underground cisterns. The Herodian was Herod’s crowning masterpiece. This is a replica of the tomb on the side of the mountain that archaeologists think he was buried in. The lesson of King Herod … More Adventures Around Jerusalem

This report is for October 23, 2015. The most important Tel of the North. Meggido. The city gates dating back to the time of Ahab. The round altar and temple from the Canaanite period. This is where child sacrifices were encouraged. Diverse sexual immoralities were performed in these temples. In public view. Abortion is not a … More Aliyah to Jerusalem!

We geared up last night for the tough hike up the 1300 feet of Mount Carmel by getting a good night’s sleep. Our teacher wanted us to learn some good things about community. “Can I carry your pack?” Life’s path is thorny at times. Let’s help each other with the snags. Lend a helping hand … More The Crossroads of The World

In the early morning we drove to the top of Mount Arbel. From the top we made our way down the front. It was steep. After a short session halfway down, exploring the houses and  caves that were built into the cliff face of ancient Arbel, we proceeded to climb back up the backside cliff … More The Land Molding Us

Omrit. On the road to Damascus: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Struck with blindness, Saul arose and entered the city. (this is the place in the gate where the king would sit) And so we got closer to Damascus and Syria. Two UN soldiers having a discussion with Mt. Hermon in the background. This … More Road to Damascus, War and Syria

Oh Galilee! Thou insignificant land of old! Thou crossroad of the world! You’ve become the center of attraction for folks that follow the Light of the Nations. They come from afar to sail thy waters and commit their devotion to the Light of Israel. They teach their people wondrous things from Messiah’s Words of Wisdom! … More Milestones in Galilee

Today, after sojourning all this time in Abraham and David country, we gathered our “flocks and herds” together and traveled to Jesus country. Making some stops along the way. We all enjoyed the Dead Sea sunrise, peeking over the Moab mountains. And one of us enjoyed it so much he had to get in the … More Gone To Galilee

A foggy morning greeted us in Tel Arad. It was beautiful! The gates of the city gave us a warm welcome. Preparing for a teaching session. Hiking to the Canaanite section of town. Masada: “Please bring those legs that feel like jelly and climb up my backside.” “Then, if you are young and still have … More Wilderness Day

Our day began at 7:00 in Mitzpe Ramon. The beautiful sunrise was spectacular. The Ibex were present in the early morning, as tame as you please. We did one looooong hike in about 4 hours. As this was the only hike planned for the day, it was extremely rough. Very treacherous, steep and rocky, some … More Desert Experiences in Timnah

Shalom dear friends! My name is David. I will attempt to keep you up to date on this tour group trip to Israel, dubbed “Sweeter Than Honey.”  Our teacher, Joe Mullet, in association with Talmidim Studies, is doing a wonderful job of leading this group of people from diverse backgrounds and faiths. Our hotel accommodations … More The Land Welcomes “Sweeter Than Honey”

Last week we had a warm hike through Wadi Zin, and I think this is a must-see for our groups. The view from the top is breathtaking and I was once again in awe of our Creator.

Our great confrontation with Herod. Who are the Herods in your life?

As we entered Gezer and studied the standing stones, I wondered, What kind of stones are we? Are we impacting those around us like Peter says, Be living stones, stones that represent the Messiah? As you let Jesus shine through you today, you can say with Paul, follow me as I follow Christ.

Today as we came out of Hezekiah’s tunnel and sat at the Pool of Siloam I was struck with a new appreciation for the story of the blind man whom Jesus sent from the city to wash at the pool. The path is steep and difficult today, what would it have been like if one was … More Kidron Valley

The ever ongoing battle between two groups of people. Could it be that mankind naturally builds walls much better than bridges? My heart is to build bridges these three weeks as we study in the Land of the Book.

    Israel Summary; As we leave this land my heart is again torn. The tears stream down my cheeks as I think of the way God met each of us in our unique journey. On the one hand I am sad to leave because of the depth of uncharted faith lessons still uncovered, the … More -The Summary Of Our Trip!-

I took off on a little jaunt to the Old City to do some shopping after devotions. The girls took naps and the other men had a meeting somewhere. So you heard about the incident that happened here in Jerusalem Sunday afternoon? Probably not. American media doesn’t often publish things that are pro-Israel or anti-Palestinian. … More -The Last Day and the Trip Home-

February 22, 2015 Judean Wilderness, first stop of the day! Thank God the weather was amazing! The blooming beauty of this wilderness is incredible! God answered our prayer in giving us a day of sunshine after last week’s dreariness. We all split up and spent an hour of alone time in the wilderness for personal … More – Judean Wilderness And Sunday Worship-

February 21, 2015 Today we celebrated Shabbat by visiting a Jewish synagogue. It was an inspiration! In the afternoon we had a long discussion over the Abrahamic Covenant again. The late Dwight Pryor, of blessed memory, has left us with a huge blessing here in Jerusalem in the form of his wife. So we sat … More -Shabbat Ramblings In Jerusalem-

February 20, 2015 The day dawns, everything lays under a coat of snow six inches thick. Under the snow is a slushy mess of water that just soaks up your shoes as you walk. Fruitful lemon trees in the backyard bear the sour load of snow. We slept in late, then just sat around and … More -Israel Snowed Over!-

February 19, 2015 Weather is wet, rainy and cold again. An almond and a blossom drip with cold rain in the morning. Our original plan today was to hike the Patriarchal Pathway but weather didn’t permit it. Our guide then got the bright idea to let us visit a Yeshivat. This is where Jewish youth, … More -Awaiting The Storm-

February 18, 2015 It rained. Again. We went south out of a wet and cold Jerusalem to the Negev, where we expected to find “sunny and 75.” Tel Sheva. Here is the ancient remains of Beersheva. You are looking into the city gates with a 200 foot deep well just on the outside. No doubt … More -Wanderings In The Desert!-

February 17, 2015, Our leader was not feeling well today so we decided to do some marching around Jerusalem. It didn’t take us 3 days like Nineveh but it was a few miles. We went down Jaffa  Street, to the Old City, turned left, walked past the New Gate and went down to the Damascus … More – Marching Around Jerusalem –

February 16, 2015 A heavenly light shines in the city of Jerusalem as we head south again. We were blown off course* and went Northwest through the hills of Ephraim instead. But the pathways turned out to be flower-strewn. The gates of Tel Lakhish welcomed us with no resistance. There were walls built of mud … More -David’s Rambling Escapades and Other Character Studies-

February 15, 2015- David grew up leading sheep, just like Moses. David was an awesome Shepherd. David very likely even learned how to lead those goats with mischievous, wicked gleams in their eyes in a mild manner. His life definitely shows it. Why does the Text need us to know that David is ruddy and … More -David & Goliath—Is there more to the Story?-

February 14, 2015. Today was Shabbat so we took the day easy. The jet lag is still having some effects on us, but it’s getting better. We had a light breakfast at 10:00 then a 3 hour discussion, sharing, devotional and rejoicing time. Here’s a random couple on the street. By the looks of it, they … More -Shabbat Shalom in Yerushalayim-

February 13, 2015 Blessed art thou, Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. Almost all of us woke up at 2:00 and couldn’t sleep, so a few of us practiced our Hebrew lessons. Breakfast at 6:00 was ta’im (delicious). We are doing all our own cooking as … More -Adventures In Jerusalem-

We are in Israel! It’s the first thing coming to mind as we opened our jet-lagged weary eyes in Tel Aviv this morning. It was cold and rainy when we checked in at the hotel in Tel Aviv last night, but this morning the streets were dry with a 60 degree feel to the air. … More -My Heart is Dancing in Jerusalem!-

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your Law. Psalm 119:18 We, a band of 7 pilgrims from the lovely land of Holmes county and beyond, are about to leave American soil and return to the land that holds a major part of our hearts. Already we have run into some … More -Open Our Eyes-