Kyle Bostock | Blog


  • Israel – A Few Highlights

    We have been running from early morning to late evening…so I haven’t had much time to put together posts. So…here are a few highlights from the trip.

    Over the next few weeks I will be sharing, in more detail, about each of the sites we had the privilege of visiting this past week.

    Coming out of the Damascus Gate

    Coming out of the Damascus Gate

    Israeli home celebrating the 70th year anniversary.

    Israeli Home Celebrating 70th Year Anniversary

    Judean Wilderness

    Judean Wilderness

    Aqueduct from Caesarea

    Ancient Aqueduct art Caesarea Maritima

    Mediterranean Sea

    Mediterranean Sea

    Theater at Caesarea

    Theater at Caesarea Maritima

    Caesarea

    Caesarea Maritima

    Mark trying out the Ancient Toilets

    Mark trying out the ancient toilets

    Capernaum Synagogue where Jesus taught.

    Capernaum Synagogue where Jesus would have taught

    Synagogue at Capernaum

    Synagogue at Capernaum

    Games Kids would have played while waiting for parents at the Synagogue.

    Game for the kids at Capernaum Synagogue

    Sea of Galilee

    Sea of Galilee

    4000 year old Clay Gate at Tel Dan - Abraham could have walked through.

    4000 year old clay gate at Tel Dan – Abraham likely walked through this gate.

    City on a Hill

    City on a hill.

    Sunrise over Jerusalem

    Sunrise over Jerusalem

    Better than Starbucks

    Pool of Bethesda

    Pool of Bethesda

    Pool of Bethesda

    Pool of Bethesda

    Nubian Ibex @ En Geri

    Ibex @ En Gedi

    The Crew

    The Crew

    Kedron Valley

    Kedron Valley

    Game of the Praetorium Guard.

    Game the Praetorium Guard would have played.

    Floor at the Praetorium - where Jesus was beaten

    Floor of the Praetorium where Jesus was slapped and spit upon and they put a crown of thorns on his head.

    Masada - King Herod’s Palace

    Herod’s Palace at Masada

    Roman Siege Ramp at Masada

    Roman siege ramp built to take Masada

    En Gedi waterfall...probable place David and his men hid from King Saul

    En Gedi waterfall where David and his men hid from King Saul

    Dead Sea

    Dead Sea

    Lamp Stand created by the Temple Institute for the 3rd Temple

    Candle stand built for the third temple

    Western Wall of Temple Mount

    Western Wall of Temple Mount

    Bar Mitzvah

    Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall

    Dome of the Rock

    Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount

    Scribe at the Synagogue on Masada

    Scribe at Masada

    “Behold the Man” Arch where Jesus was presented to the crowds

    Behold the Man – Under that arch is where Jesus would have been presented to the crowd.

    Ancient Alter

    Ancient Alter

    Caesarea Maritima

    Caesarea Maritima

    Ancient Street stone along the Via Dolorosa

    Stones along the Via Dolorosa.

  • To Teach Their Children

    “He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;”

    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78:5-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬


    Wait as my begs are searched.After 26 hours of travel, and an insightful experience with Israeli security (more on that later), we finally arrive at Ben Gurion airport. Making our way through the terminal we met up with our team for week, and we set off for Jerusalem.

    After a great dinner with new friends, we decided to set out for a walk through the city to keep us awake until it was time for bed.

    As we were walking we met a lady who had immigrated to Israel from New York who helped us make our way to the the Western Wall. Being the start of Shabbot (or Sabbath) we were greeted by the occasional person walking by with friendly Shabbat Shalom

    When we arrived at the Western Wall is was alive with activity. Not only was it Shabbot, but Israel is currently celebrating it’s 70 year anniversary as a country. With the courtyard packed with Orthodox Jew’s celebrating Shabbot, the sight was spectacular at the Wall.

    As I made my way through the crowd I witnessed an Older Jewish man beaming as his Son and his two young grandsons walked back from praying in front of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. The most holy site for Orthodox Jews.

    As I watched this scene unfold I couldn’t help but smile as the familiar words of Psalm 78 flooded through my head.

    This was a faithful man being faithful to Torah and a beautiful picture of generational faithfulness. A grandfather beaming with holy pride as he passes his faith and a remembrance of the mighty works of God to the next generation.

    Something to ponder…

    Blessings,

    KB

  • The Journey Begins

    It wasn’t until I took my seat and settled in for the first leg of our flight to Israel that the reality finally hit me…that in a few short hours I will be walking on the same dirt that Jesus walked on.

    For most of my life I have been captivated by the Bible. This God-breathed collection of books that seem to be an endless adventure for those who will allow its to guide their lives. And now to have the opportunity to walk in the cities, stand on the mountains, and wade in the rivers where so much of the narrative of Scripture took place is absolutely mind blowing.

    So many questions race through my mind as to what it will really be like. Will I be overwhelmed with emotion, let down because of expectation, or transformed by the experience. One thing I do know…I will do my best to enter in with open hands and a ready heart.

    Excited to share the journey with those who might care to read.

    KB