The Bible is not just a story—it’s a place.


 What a great day in the Holy Land! Today’s journey was one of those rare experiences where Scripture moves from the page to the ground beneath your feet. Each stop was a reminder of God’s unfolding story—and the privilege of witnessing it with Mom made it all the more meaningful.





Tel Dan — Where the Waters Flow and History Speaks



We began our morning in Tel Dan, taking a peaceful walk along the lush river that feeds the Jordan. It’s hard to stand by those flowing waters without thinking of the promise of the land and the tribes who settled here.


From there, we visited the unauthorized tabernacle site established by King Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28–30)—a decision that marked the beginning of Israel’s spiritual decline. Standing in that place, you feel the weight of how choices shape generations.


Then came one of the most extraordinary discoveries: the ancient Dan Gate, a mudbrick archway dating back to the time of Abraham (Genesis 14:14). Archaeologists believe the patriarch himself may have walked through this very gate. Even more remarkable, its structure rewrote architectural history books by proving that true arches existed centuries earlier than scholars believed.


And of course—the Tel Dan Stele. The stone inscription referencing the “House of David” (2 Samuel 7:12–16) changed everything. It provided the earliest archaeological evidence of King David outside the Bible—a monumental confirmation of Scripture and history intersecting.





Caesarea Philippi — “Upon This Rock…”



Our next stop was Caesarea Philippi, the dramatic setting of Peter’s bold confession. It was here that Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” and Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13–18)


Standing before the massive rock face and the ruins of the Temple of Pan, Jesus’ words—“Upon this rock I will build my church”—take on a whole new dimension. Seeing it with our own eyes brings the Scripture alive in a way no photograph ever can.





The Golan Heights — Beauty, History, and Sobering Reality



From there we drove through the Golan Heights, catching views of Syria and Lebanon. We even passed an active minefield, a powerful reminder that this beautiful land carries both ancient and modern scars. The contrast of breathtaking vistas and barbed-wire warnings creates a tension that’s hard to describe, yet impossible to forget.





Magdala — At the Threshold Where Jesus Walked



We ended our day in Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:1–3). Here, archaeologists uncovered a first-century synagogue—one Jesus almost certainly visited during His Galilean ministry (Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:39).


We took photos of our feet standing on the actual stone threshold of that synagogue. To realize that Jesus Himself walked across those very stones—that’s a moment that settles deep in the heart.






A Day to Remember



From Abraham’s gate to Peter’s confession to the very doorstep Jesus crossed, today was a journey through layers of faith, history, and wonder. Sharing it with Mom made it unforgettable.


If today taught me anything, it’s this:

The Bible is not just a story—it’s a place. And today, we stepped into it.


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