015: Jesus calls Peter in Capernaum

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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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

 

014: Peter Hears Jesus’ Love at Tabgha

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.)

Click below to play the Podcast (even better – subscribe in iTunes, Google Play or your favourite podcast player

Subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes

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

 

013: Walking the Waves with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee: Podcast Episode

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.)

Click below to play the Podcast (even better – subscribe in iTunes, Google Play or your favourite podcast player

Subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes

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.

 

 

 

The Door is going to close.

On January 31, 2018, the sign-up door for Break Forth Israel & Jordan Next Level will close. We already filled our spaces once but were able to get a handful of spots.

If you’d like to visit Israel on its 70th anniversary, as well as the Biblical sites of Jordan, this is your time.

Just click below . . . 

012: Did John the Baptist Hear God’s Voice in Qumran? (Podcast)

One of the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found

QUMRAN: A Place of Mystery. Where one of the greatest discoveries in history was made – the Dead Sea Scrolls. Yet, it’s also the location of the Essene sect, a group shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

  • Hans speaking to us at Qumran

    Was John the Baptist a part of the Essenes for a while?

  • Did God speak to him through the clouded theology of the sect?
  • Did Jesus visit the Essenes in Jerusalem?
  • Have you ever wondered if God can speak to you through the ordinary “stuff” of life?

Listen in today to discouver the possible Biblical connections with Qumran and the Essenes that you may not even be aware of.

Today, our group is sitting under a tent, surrounded by the parched beauty and craggy mountains of the desert.

Listen in below:

(See photos of Qumran and the Dead Sea at the end of this post.)

Click below to play the Podcast (even better – subscribe in iTunes, Google Play or your favourite podcast player


Subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes

In this Episode, You’ll Discover:

  • The background of the Essenes, what they believed and how they lived
  • How Jesus Personalized His message to each group (Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots)
  • The possible connection between Jesus and the Essenes as evidenced by preparations for the Last Supper.
  • Scriptural references that show that John the Baptist may have been with the Essenes for a time.

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 Qumran and the Dea Sea:

Arlen & Elsa Salte and friend hiking in the desert mountains of Qumran

 

QUMRAN, ISRAEL – Essene ritual bath

 

Essene ruins: Qumran Israel

 

Dead Sea Scroll at Qumran, Israel

 

Float like a cork in the mineral-rich Dead Sea

 

The beauty of the Dead Sea

 

Cover yourself in the rich minerals of the Dead Sea – but don’t get it in your eyes!

011: Jesus Reveals He Is Messiah in Nazareth

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.)

Click below to play the Podcast (even better – subscribe in iTunes, Google Play or your favourite podcast player


Subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes

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

010: God’s Humble Glory at Shepherd’s Field, Bethlehem: Podcast

It’s one of the highlights of any visit to Bethlehem – a visit to Shepherds Field!

Shepherd’s Field outside Bethlehem

In today’s episode, we have just left a grotto (cave) that would be similar to a place where Jesus was born. We have an unforgettable time of worship.

Now, as Hans speaks, our group is at an overlook at Shepherd’s Field. According to many scholars, this is the place where the angels appeared to the shepherds, proclaiming the birth of the Messiah.

As we gaze down at the valley below, we can’t help but wonder how the shepherds felt that night.

Listen in now as Hans shares a stirring message from Shepherd’s Field that not only fits for Christmas time, nut all year long.

Listen in below:

(See our special Christmas gift to you at the end of this post.)

Click below to play the Podcast (even better – subscribe in iTunes, Google Play or your favourite podcast player

Subscribe to our Podcast in iTunes

In this Episode, You’ll Discover:

  1. An insight into the year when Jesus was born.
  2. Mary and Joseph’s great step of faith
  3. The Bethlehem connection between King David and Jesus
  4. Why Bethlehem was an appropriate place for Jesus to be born

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.

 

 

Our Christmas Gift To You: Click the link below to listen to Arlen’s entire best-selling Christmas classical guitar album from 1979.

Feel free to stream it or download the entire album for free: