Holy Land 2015 | Contest – Win a Carved Olive Wood Necklace!

Contests
As a “thank you” to my new and old readers and subscribers while I’m on my Holy Land journey, I have a new contest for you.
Just leave a comment on this post saying one thing you’ve learned reading my Holy Land journey. Then, sit back and relax. Three lucky commenters will win an olive wood necklace or ornament from the Holy Land. The lucky commenters will be randomly selected, announced in a new post on or about January 20, 2015, and retroactively announced here. I’ll send the winner an email and we’ll talk details on the donation. Here are the rules:
Rules (Subject to change):

  • Only comments made on this post between 12:01am on January 13, 2015 and 11:59pm on January 18, 2015 are eligible entries.
  • One entry per person, per contest, thanks.
  • Your comment must include one thing you learned from reading my Holy Land journey blog. Example: I didn’t know the preferred local name for the “Wailing Wall” is the Western Wall and I’ll try to refer to it that way from now on, thanks!
  • You must use a valid email address when you post so I can email you if you win (no one will see it but me).

I hope to hear from you, dear reader!
-nm

13 thoughts on “Holy Land 2015 | Contest – Win a Carved Olive Wood Necklace!”

  1. Something I learned from your blog: I didn’t realize (or remember??) that King Herod tore down one mountain to build another. Guess government inefficiencies go WAY back.

    Reply
    • It gives new meaning to Jesus talking about how all it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed to move a mountain, rather than corruption, slaves, and an army. The people would’ve known about Herod’s moving mountains when Jesus offered this nugget of wisdom to them.

      Reply
  2. I was really wowed when I read this Nate: ‘Our guide, Sam, reminded us that the Greek used to translate the Beatitudes is always a little off in English. See, makarioi doesn’t necessarily translate as “blessed” or “happy.” This I knew but what came next was new to me. Sam suggested using the Aramaic word tuba. There’s not an easy translation for tuba, either, in that it’s essentially, “Get up, go, get involved, get your hands dirty, and in that you will find blessing.” Sam added, “It is a word of action.” I’m all for that.’ I’m all for that too – we are called to act as the hands and feet of Christ. Thanks for sharing your journey with those of us back in the frozen hinterlands.

    Reply
    • I’d never heard that about “tuba” before. Pretty cool, eh, Joyce? It offers a whole new reading.

      Reply
  3. I learned that one of the highlights of your journey was on the Sea of Galilee and that you wept. I might weep there, if I ever get there…
    I learned that the wood carving purchased by Guy Sederski was TOO BIG to bring home on the plane and that they’ve had it shipped.
    I learned that the tradition is to touch the star where the manger is reported to be and to say a brief prayer…I wonder, what was your prayer…what would mine be?

    Reply
    • Pastor Nate of the Tannenites….if you’re still dealing w/motion sickness or nausea try to get your hands on the non-drowsy formula of Dramamine and take it an hour before you fly. It’s good for 12 hours. Or, try ginger. Hope the flights back will be kinder on your constitution. Prayers for safe journey home for everyone!

      Reply
      • Thanks, Jennifer, I used an even more old-fashioned home remedy: close my eyes, drink some water, and hope it goes away. Which it did. Pretty much.

    • The waters were so calm, Karen, and I was amazed by how I could see the entire shoreline from the middle of the lake.

      Reply
  4. Wow what an amazing experience for you! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I learned many things reading and looking at the photos as I really don’t know anything about Israel and have never seen pictures. But one of the things I learned that really stuck out to me was that you struggled with faith and resisted Christianity in your past. I am the same way and just started going to church a little over a year ago. I was baptized last Easter. My heart has been opened and I’ve never known such truth and joy. When you said that you became emotional when you realized you walked where Jesus walked, that really moved me. I don’t know what it is like to believe in God your whole life, but I know that there is an amazing transformation unlike any other when you become a Christian as an adult and I am just so happy for you that you got to have this experience in the Holy Land. To God be the glory!

    Reply

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