A Break Forth Journeys group on the Temple Steps, Jerusalem

What do popcorn and Christians have in common? 

You’re about to learn that in this episode of the Break Forth Journeys Podcast. 

What an incredible transformation took place in the Apostle Peter’s life.

Just 50 days before, he had been cowering in fear at the crucifixion of his Saviour, Jesus.

Now, just 50 days later, Peter stands on these steps you see in the photo above.

He preaches with unparalleled boldness.

The Holy Spirit Falls.

Thousands come to faith in Jesus as the Messiah. 

Thousands are baptised.

But is this just for 2,000 years ago or is it also for today? 

Join us today as our group sits on the Temple Steps in Jerusalem, the same place where Peter preached with such boldness and lives were forever transformed.

Today, we learn:

• What astronaut, Neil Armstrong experienced on these same steps.
• How the ‘imperfect’ temple steps prepared people for worship.
• Why Christians should be like popcorn

Listen in today to this powerful message right from on the Temple Steps in Jerusalem.

(See photos of the Temple Steps and area at the end of this post.)

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Photos of Yardenit and the Jordan River:

Temple Walls

The ramparts of the walls of Jerusalem – A great place to prayer-walk

Prayer notes in the Wailing (Western) Wall.

Jerusalem Old City from the Mount of Olives

Beautiful waterfall at Ein Gedi, Israel.

Imagine how David felt when he was being pursued by an envious madman, Saul? David was chased by 3,000 men Saul had sent to deal with him once and for all. Then – he hid in a cave in Ein Gedi and he experienced God’s protection.

Hans preaches at the lower waterfall

Perhaps you’ve felt like David at times. 

Perhaps you feel like that now.

Join us today in Ein Gedi, the same place where David hid away from Saul.

Hans has 3 important lessons to share with you today.

These lessons may just give you a fresh perspective on those ‘desert times’ of life.

Today, we learn:

• The most common meaning of the word desert in Hebrew and what that’s so important to know.
• The three lessons we gain from the desert
• How God called Hans into prison – as a prisoner – and God used this ‘desert time’ for blessings

Listen in today to this powerful message right from the base of the lower waterfall in Ein Gedi, Israel.

(See photos of Ein Gedi at the end of this post.)

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Let Us Know What You Think:

We’d love to hear from you so we can serve you better. Please send us an email to let us know what you think. Email us at info@breakforthjourneys.com.

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Photos of Yardenit and the Jordan River:

David’s Cave in Ein Gedi

Ibex at Ein Gedi, israel

Arlen & Elsa Salte in Ein Gedi

Hiking in EIn Gedi

Yardenit – the baptismal site on the Jordan river.

One of the most beautiful places on earth is a place called Yardenit along the Jordan River in Israel. Is it because of the lush vegetation along the shore, the brightly coloured flowers,  or the emerald green of the water? Is it the singing, swooping birds above?

That’s not it at all.

It’s so beautiful because over half a million people come here each year. This is the place where most Christians come when they visit Israel to remember their baptisms in the same Jordan River where Jesus was baptised.

But, it’s much more than that.

When you visit Yardenit, you hear songs of praise and shouts of joy from all over the world.

It is truly a foretaste of the unity we share as the family of God. 

Today, we’re at Yardenit in Israel.

In this message today, Hans shares a powerful word about the treasure we share in Christ.

Today, we learn:

• Three important lessons of Jesus’s baptism
• The sign of the Trinity at Jesus’s baptism
• The significance of the dove descending on Jesus

Listen in today to this powerful message right from the Jordan River in Israel.

(See photos of Yardenit and the Jordan River at the end of this post.)

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Let Us Know What You Think:

We’d love to hear from you so we can serve you better. Please send us an email to let us know what you think. Email us at info@breakforthjourneys.com.

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Photos of Yardenit and the Jordan River:

Pilgrims at Yardenit

The Jordan River. Israel

Yardenit

Hans preaches at Yardenit

Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem

Have you ever heard the Easter story and although you’d never say it aloud, you think in your heart, “Haven’t I heard this story enough over the years? Why am I not as profoundly moved as I once was?”

The preparation rock at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

It happens.

We can get too comfortable, even with the most important parts of our faith.

That’s why it’s often important to visit this afresh with new eyes, new ears and a newly receptive heart.

We invite you to do that today on this special Easter edition.

We’re at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. This is the traditional spot where Jesus, our Messiah was crucified between two criminals.

In this message today, Hans brings both his pastoral ministry heart and his scholarship together to share with us some things you may never have heard before:

Today, we learn:

• Why Jesus referencing the prophetic words of Daniel 7: 13-14 was the last straw for the Sanhedrin.
• The three ways that Pontius Pilot attempted to avoid sentencing Jesus to death.
• What Barabbas means in Aramaic and Hebrew and why his name is symbolically important.
• Why the crown of thorns were biblically prophetic
• The lesson in knowing the Greek grammatical form of Jesus’ words, “Father forgive for they do not know what they do.”
• How Jesus words to John and his mother show how we become family at the base of the cross.
• The incredible sacrifice that Jesus made to proclaim eternal promises to the repentant criminal by His side.
• The profound importance of Jesus saying the phrase, “I thirst.” (Philippians 2:5)
• The eye-opening significance of Jesus saying “It is accomplished.”

Listen in today to this powerful message right from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The Easter message may come alive in your heart like it never has before!

Listen in below:

(See photos of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the end of this post.)

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Let Us Know What You Think:

We’d love to hear from you so we can serve you better. Please send us an email to let us know what you think. Email us at info@breakforthjourneys.com.

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Photos of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (all Photos Arlen Salte and Adobe):

Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Israel. Ancient Olive Trees

Have you ever felt like you’re walking alone? Have you ever wondered if you’re stuck in a hopeless situation? Can there be beauty in agony?

The Traditional Stone in the Basilica of the Agony where Jesus prayed in Gethsemane (Photo: Arlen Salte)

If you can identify with any of these feelings, then today’s Break Forth Journeys Podcast is for you.

In this podcast episode, our group is on the quiet side (and seldom visited area) of the Garden of Gethsemane. We are surrounded by ancient Olive Trees that are at least 900 years old. This gives us a sense of what Jesus may have seen during His dark night of anguish.

Today, we learn:

• What the name Gethsemane means.
• The vital connection between Jesus’ sacrifice as the perfect lamb of God and the sacrificial lamb as a sin offering presented to the priest in the temple.
• The significance of the olive oil being pressed three times as it relates to Jesus’s night in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Join our group in the Garden of Gethsemane as we listen to Hans.

Listen in below:

(See an inspiring video of many of the places we visit on our Israel tours at the end of this post.)

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Let Us Know What You Think:

We’d love to hear from you so we can serve you better. Please send us an email to let us know what you think. Email us at info@breakforthjourneys.com.

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Watch this Video of many of the Sites we Visit on our Israel Tours:

Aerial view of Capernaum, Town of Jesus, Galilee, Israel

Have you ever been in a foul mood? You know you have. We all have. Imagine Peter the professional fisherman. He’s fished all day without any success. Then, a carpenter, not a fisherman, shows up as Peter’s is giving up. He then begins to instruct him how to do his job.

Of course, Peter knew this was Jesus and he’d heard the miraculous stories. So, probably still in a foul mood, he follows Jesus’ guidance.

And he is forever changed.

So is Capernaum.

Listen in today as we visit Capernaum, the place where Jesus lived and based His ministry out of for over three years.

In this podcast episode, our group is close to the lake shore, perhaps somewhat close to where this life-transforming encounter took place.

Today, we learn:

• Why Capernaum was such a strategic location for Jesus to base His ministry out of.
• Why it’s good to pray for revival but we need to be prepared for his God wants this to happen.
• What is similar between Jesus and Mount Everest.

Join our group at Capernaum as we listen to Hans.

Listen in below:

(See photos of the Sea of Galilee at the end of this post.)

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We’d love to hear from you so we can serve you better. Please send us an email to let us know what you think. Email us at info@breakforthjourneys.com.

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Photos of Capernaum (all Photos Arlen Salte and Adobe):

Capernaum Synagogue

Hans sharing at Capernaum

Capernaum – Peter’s House (below glass)

Peter’s House – view from underneath the church

The black pebble beach at the Sea of Galilee and the Church of the Primacy of St Peter, Tabgha, Israel.

Imagine you have rejected your closest friend. Imagine you had once committed to this friend that you would even die for them. Imagine the shame of then turning from them in their darkest hour and betraying them again and again. This is the Apostle Peter.

Yet, after Jesus is resurrected he appears to Peter again on the shores of the Sea of Galilee to remind him that he is loved beyond measure and forgiven without condition.

The cloak of shame falls off Peter. He is restored. That day, more than any other, Peter becomes the rock on which Jesus promises to build His church.

Listen in today as we visit Tabgha, the traditional location on the shores of the Sea of Galilee where this took place.

In this podcast episode, our group is along the shores as the waves lap in quietly. It’s an unforgettable experience as Hans shares.

Today, we learn:

• Why Jesus comes to us in the common things of everyday life.
• What it meant for Peter to put his cloak on before he jumped into the water.
• Three Greek words that bring illumination to the conversation between Jesus and Peter.

Listen in today to be encouraged just like Peter was.

Join our group on the shores of the Sea of Galilee now as we listen to Hans.

Listen in below:

(See photos of the Sea of Galilee at the end of this post.)

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Let Us Know What You Think:

We’d love to hear from you so we can serve you better. Please send us an email to let us know what you think. Email us at info@breakforthjourneys.com.

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Photos from the Sea of Galilee (all Photos Arlen Salte and Adobe):

Elsa Salte prays in the Sea of Galilee at Tabgha

Our group meditates on the shores at Tabgha

Altar over the traditional stone where Jesus broke bread with Peter

The shoreline of the Sea of Galilee at Tabgha

Hans shares with our group at Tabgha on the shores of the Sea of Galilee

Sailing on the Sea of Galilee is one of the highlights of any trip to the Galilee area of Israel for pilgrims. Not only is it beautiful and peaceful, it is what Hans calls, “Jesus’ Classroom.”

In this podcast episode, our group is on a boat on the Sea of Galilee. We see the verdant hills surrounding the lake, we experience the peacefulness of the rolling waves and we realize again that this is one of the central places where Jesus taught some of His most important lessons.

Today, we learn:

• Why Jesus often gives us a mountaintop experience before He issues a call.
• Why we don’t always experience God’s presence in the midst of following the call of Jesus.
• Why we should be more like sinking Peter.
• Why you should be careful what you wear when an air raid siren goes off (this is a hilarious story Hans tells in this episode)

Listen in today to be encouraged in your faith, even when you don’t sense God’s presence in the moment.

Join our group in the boat now as we listen to Hans.

Listen in below:

(See photos of the Sea of Galilee at the end of this post.)

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Let Us Know What You Think:

We’d love to hear from you so we can serve you better. Please send us an email to let us know what you think. Email us at info@breakforthjourneys.com.

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Photos from the Sea of Galilee (all Photos Arlen Salte and Lisa Forseth):

View of a boat sailing on the Sea of Galilee from the mustard fields on the Mount of Beatitudes.

Mary’s Well in Nazareth, Israel.

It’s in this once humble town of Nazareth where Jesus spent most of His life! For 30 years, he lived as “God Incognito.”

Here, Jesus spent almost 90% of his earthly life, walking in holiness and humility. Here, Jesus learned the demanding but highly-skilled trade of a tekton (Greek) alongside His father, Joseph.

Jesus’ quiet life suddenly changed when He stood up in the synagogue and proclaimed Himself as the Messiah.

Today, our group is standing in the courtyard of St Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church, close to Mary’s Well.  Here, Hans shares a word of hope and challenge to each of us to be open to God’s unexpected ways of answering our prayers.

Are we ready to hear?

Listen in below:

(See photos of Nazareth, Mary’s Well and the highly-regarded Nazareth Village at the end of this post.)

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In this Episode, You’ll Discover:

• The tie of Nazareth to the Hebrew name for Christian today.
• Jesus was more than a carpenter.
• How Nazareth is tied to Biblical prophecy regarding the Messiah.
• Some photos below from Nazareth 

Let Us Know What You Think:

We’d love to hear from you so we can serve you better. Please send us an email to let us know what you think. Email us at info@breakforthjourneys.com.

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You’ll be inspired by beautiful photos of the Lands of the Bible, breaking news, stories of faith, and updates.

Photos from Nazareth (Photos from Arlen Salte and Linnea Salte):

Hans speaks to us outside of St Gabriel Church, close to Mary’s Well

By the water source in St Gabriel Church

Nazareth Village

Nazareth Village

View from the Nazareth Village site to modern Nazareth

Weavers in Nazareth Village

Synagogue representation in Nazareth Village

Scroll in the Synagogue in Nazareth Village, open to Isaiah