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.
You never cease to wonder when you visit the sites of Herod the Great. The northern palace of Masada is a wonder in itself, the fresco walls & fluted pillars which were done with plaster; they’re not solid pillars like Josephus says but they are still amazing. Walking through Caesarea beside the Mediterranean Sea is … More Herod the Great
Last week as we were heading south we stopped in hill country of Judah. As we walked along the path and fields we observed the different trees and plants. I saw this grapevine all by itself, a wild grape vine. {Read Isaiah 5} As you can see we also found a beautiful wine press in … More A Well-Kept Vine
This picture does not justify the beauty of this entrance into the Herodium, it is amazing.
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.
Ray VanderLann is coming to Ohio! Dates: March 25th, 26th & 27th 2016 Address: Mt. Hope Auction | 8076 State Route 241, Millersburg, OH 44654 website: http://www.talmidimstudies.org facebook: http://www.facebook.com/talmidimstudies blog: http://www.walkintheland.wordpress.com email: eyoder@talmidimstudies.org Share this event and invite your friends on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/events/1622982837949809/ Please visit our website to sign up for the ministry newsletter, and to stay … More Ray VanderLaan Seminar | March 2016
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-
-Teaching and Feeding Community-
-Building the Community-
-Making Aliyah-
-Transparency in Community-
-Struggling Together in Community-
-See With Your Eyes, Hear With Your Ears-
Quran Beth Shon | Alexander the Great If I bring in Religion, Education, Arts & Media, and Sports then I can change the world. Alexander the Great
Tel Arad in the norther Negev area. Mazada | Herod’s Fortress En Gedi
Today we again were blessed with cooler then normal temperatures, and a nice breeze. We spend all day in the Negev Desert area. You will notice the land can have a huge contrast difference in a short distance. We did a bit more hiking today, which most of us were ready for. It was a … More Day Three
The weather this morning was very pleasant with clouds and a nice breeze going through. As we gathered outside our hotel, we felt a few sprinkles of rain! (For Israel that’s like getting snow in Ohio in June!) The weather throughout the day was an unusual cooler temperature for this time of the year. We did … More Day two
We arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel on June 4th at 2:27 PM. The Lord blessed us with great weather and fairly smooth flying. What a Jesus we have! We have a group of 34 people, with a desire and a hunger to dig into the Bible to learn more about the greatest Rabbi that ever … More Spring 2014 Israel Trip
They arrived at Pittsburg safe and sound around 10 this morning. We’ve been hearing lots of stories and checking out photos and yummy treats from Jerusalem. Thank you Lord for safety! Baruch Hashem Adonai!
Well currently, they are the ones that are up. Literally. The four men from Talmidim Studies are currently flying from Tel Aviv and we hope to see them safely home by noon on September third! They had a busy but wonderful week. They spent a day farther south also visiting several towns on the shephelah. … More What’s Up with Team FIVE
I guess we’ll dub them Team FIVE. It seems to fit their nature and the general goings on of the group. Four men from the Talmidim Studies committee along with a fellow comrade are currently walking the land, Eretz Yisrael as some might say. If you’re interested, here are a few of the places their trek has taken … More The Hikes and Happenings of Team FIVE
Its Hanukkah in Jerusalem. There are candles burning in the windows and outside apartments. Sweet Sufganiyot are sold in every food store in town. I’m loving having the opportunity to be here and experience this time of year, the celebration of deliverance and the miracle of light, with the people directly connected to the origin of … More The Forth Candle is Lit
The city was built on top of a triangular shaped acropolis with deep valleys on three sides and the domineering crusader castle on the southernmost tip. We wandered through an expanse of castle corridors and rooms with Aladdin (our guide) and were given a host of interesting facts, most of which I have forgotten again. 😦 … More The Jordan Side of Things {four}
Oh Petra. Thou wonder of the ancient times. We at least wondered at you today. Starting off our day early was great. It was cool and we were all pretty excited and full of energy. We also beat most of the tourists since we were out so soon which was way better for pictures. 🙂 … More The Jordan Side of Things {three}
We headed to the ancient site of Amman or Rabbah/Philadelphia from our hotel. It was a sister city to Jerusalem also situated in a sort of bowl with steep valleys on three side and higher hills wrapping around those in a protecting manner. Just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, so you … More The Jordan Side of Things {two}
We’re in Jordan! We drove down into the depths of the Jordan/Rift Valley to the Beth Shean border crossing. It was amazing how clear the air was and what a huge difference it made for visibility throughout the day. Going through border control was quite interesting but not as intense as I expected after all … More The Jordan Side of Things {one}
It’s amazing how much this city feels like home. How after a month I don’t mind walking home alone after dark or taking the bus somewhere. How I love running in the fresh fall air and seeing if I can get lost but I always end up at a familiar street again. The skies in Jerusalem … More {My Second Home}
Day four was the definition of awesome, for sure! Starting off our day on the sea of Galilee was relaxing and stimulating at the same time. Dr. Wright got us oriented as to what is where. Decapolis on the east of the lake, Tetrarchy of Phillip on the northeast and then the region of Galilee … More Galilee Four, Ahrbah, Vier, Cuatro
We began our third day at a small town overlooking the sea of Galilee named Kursi or Gergasa. Its probable that this was the town of the wild man that lived among the tombs. What if this man had a family before this sickness came and took control of him? In light of that, it … More Galilee Three, Shalosh, Drei, Tres
I started my morning with a bit of time beside the sea with my Bible. It was so peaceful and quiet and wonderful to be refreshed in the Word before heading off for another busy day. We were off for Hazor, first thing! I loved the drive up North. Its great to be able to … More Galilee Two, Stein, Zwei, Dos
We’ve headed North to the lovely Galilee. I’d really been looking forward to checking out the stories of Jesus’ ministry and the dynamics of the area where he grew up and spent most of his life. We began at Beth-shean/Scythopolis, beautiful, pagan city of Rome’s. It was the only Decapolis city west of the Jordan … More Galilee One, Echad, Ein, Uno
Hello from the shore of the Sea of Galilee! We’re two days into our four day study up here and it has been amazing! I wanted to post a few of my favorite shots from the two days, but I need to sleep not fiddle around on here. 🙂 We’ve been to Beth Shean, Meggido. … More Beautiful Galilee
Its been such a lovely week. There was a jovial atmosphere everywhere you went. “Chag Sameach!” was heard on the street, in the stores and wherever there were people. It literally means ‘joyous festival.’ Its appropriate for Sukkot, Shavu’ot and Passover. It was fun to say to people as you passed them on the street … More Holidays past; Normalcy resumes
On day three of awesomeness. Melissa and I wake up early to join the pita run for our lunch. We walk uptown with Aubrey to a darling little bakery. There’s a sea of delightful little pastries, racks of buns and stacks of pita. Oh, I could stay here for a long time just breathing in … More To the Great Rift Valley
We’re headed for Arad. Our brains are cleared, the extra hour of sleep being of great assistance, and we’re ready for a day in the desert! The original Canaanite city of Arad was huge for this part of the country. Its walls followed a natural rise of hills and enclosed around 25 acres of land. … More Arad, altars and the beauty of the desert
A day of Atonement. A day of fasting and denying oneself so that our light will rise in the darkness. A day when the streets fall silent and noise is nonexistent except for birds singing and children laughing and riding their bikes up and down the streets. A day when you can turn cartwheels in the … More This is Yom Kippur in Jerusalem
Okay, so since we had a three day field study I decided to do three nice little posts (well, sort of little), so that you don’t get to overwhelmed with information and that I don’t take a week to get it all up. 🙂 Heading west out of Jerusalem feels quite different but nice. The … More Shephelah. Blessing or Curse?
We had an amazing three day field study to the Negev this weekend. Askelon, Arad, Beersheba, Masada, En-Gedi and the Dead Sea just to name a few. More details sometime soon 🙂
My definition of JUC field studies: An incredible way to bring the Bible alive right before your eyes, bringing credibility and definition to what you’ve studied in the classroom. Yes, I love field studies. This one happened on Sunday, September 25. It was great as always. Hot and stifling in the Rift Valley, rainy and … More Inheritance of Benjamin and its Clans
In case you’d like to see where we reside these days, here’s a few shots to help you visualize. We’ve had a lovely restful two days. Friday is usually a calm day. No classes for Missy & Vern so we set up school at home so that the boys have the day off as well … More The Dwelling at 12 Ein Gedi Street
The drive north through the hill country is amazing. We move out of cenomanian layers to the more rounded eocene hills and then into the deeply eroded Michmatah valley filled with alluvial soil so wonderful for agriculture. (Ha, I love using those terms cause by now you’re all probably scratching your head a bit and … More Uncrowned Queen of Palestine (and other places)
…and other blessed Shabbat rest today. This week is going to be packed with studies again, starting with a 7:00-6:00 field study to Samaria tomorrow. (We’re pretty pumped for that though!) We’re excited to see what God brings our way and will keep you posted. Shabbat Shalom!
My sandals squeak on the stones of an ancient Jerusalem street. The beauty of this special Shabbat morning drenches me in joy. I am in awe of the goodness of God. Yes, the week past has been a bumpy one. Yes, there have been multiple clashes and pains. But does that change the goodness of … More A Blessed Shabbat
After piling amazing amounts of luggage into a maxi van we were off to Pittsburg. We headed for the check-in counter at Delta when suddenly a certain one of our sizable party could not locate her lovely ‘pocketbook.’ Thankfully we could recover it from its resting place on the van and we also secured a … More A recounting of a very lengthy day
Lord Willing we will be in the land of the Text in approximately 27 days. We’re so excited about all the details that God has been working out. He is amazing and slowly, slowly it feels like I’m learning to trust Him in full faith. Thank you for your support in prayer and finances. We … More Shalom…
Walk the Text 