The woman in this picture is explaining how she ended her newborn daughter’s life. Believe it or not, she’s actually done this to eight of her children, all girls. In her village in India, it is common practice. You can read more of her tragic story on this blog, “The Three Deadliest Words in the [...]
(UPDATED 10/3/12 – See new links at bottom.) If you’ve been reading the news lately, there’s no way you can miss the latest media craze about “Jesus’ Wife.” It’s based on the wording of a papyrus fragment that was found in Egypt that is thought to date to about 400 AD, if it is not [...]
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog called “Good First Reads About Jesus’ Jewish Context” which shared what I’d give to people who are just beginning to learn about Hebraic studies. Many of you wonder what else I recommend. You’d think that the next books I’d suggest would be more history. But discipleship is [...]
In a few days, Jewish people around the world will be celebrating the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) in small “booths” or “tabernacles” they have built in their yards. They’ll live in these little huts for seven days (or at least eat their meals there), in order to remember God’s care during their 40-year wilderness trek [...]
Shalom, friends – I just wanted to share a quick update. I’m going to be in Phoenix this Wednesday for an interview on Jewish Voice Today about my book, Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus. This is a Messianic Jewish program hosted by Rabbi Jonathan Bernis. I did this once before. Back in 2009, [...]
Many ask me what the first books I’d recommend are to read if you want to learn about the Bible in its Hebraic context. Below I’ve shared a short list of where to start. One thing I always tell people is that before they start studying, they need to have a firm grasp of the [...]
Years ago in Israel I bought a lovely glossy photographic map of the land. It’s a computer-enhanced satellite image that is 13″ wide x 38″ tall. The back side has the same image, but with modern roads. (Click on map to enlarge.) They are made in Israel and are not in US stores. So I [...]
Ever since I was a kid, a newspaper has plopped onto my doorstep each day with a Dear Abby (or Ann Landers) column waiting to be read. Day after day people pour out their frustrations, and Abby and Ann share their pithy answers. The letters typically have a similar format. First the writer complains about [...]
Lots of folks have told me that they are reading my books on an e-reader like a Nook or Kindle. I thought you might be interested in a recent Wall Street Journal article called “Your E-Book is Reading You.” It points out that electronic book devices send more data back to booksellers than people realize. [...]
If you give talks on biblical subjects and use Powerpoint images like I do, you’ll be happy to hear this news. Todd Bolen recently issued a major update of the Pictorial Library of the Bible Lands, which includes images and maps from Israel, Egypt, Greece and other biblical lands, as well as Jewish culture and [...]
Last weekend Christians celebrated Pentecost, recalling the account in Acts 2 where the disciples heard a wind and saw tongues of fire that appeared above each others’ heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and suddenly able to praise God in other languages. Peter then shared the Gospel with 3000 people who were baptized [...]
“In many countries, sheep spend their lives in fenced-in pastures where they spend their time grazing and milling about. In Israel, however, where grass has difficulty growing in the arid soil, sheep must know their shepherd, following him obediently from pasture to pasture. There, shepherding is a much more active task. Some sheep come running [...]