Book Review: Reflections of God's Holy Land
Reflections of God’s Holy Land by Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Feinberg Vamosh – Thomas Nelson 2008
Blessings come in various forms from a prayer answered to a subtle awareness. Reflections of God’s Holy Land would be in the latter category. A glossy, pictorial essay suitable to display on the finest coffee table, I thought I would read it in a couple weeks, review it, and donate it to my church. Yet 5 months later, I still hold it in my hands, unwilling to pass it on.
You see, I didn’t take the subtitle, A Personal Journey Through Israel, seriously. I assumed it was just another travel book with lots of beautiful photos of Israel and directions how to get there. Was I wrong.
I started reading Reflections of God's Holy Land the same way I read any other book; a couple hrs set aside to entertain myself as a reward for other tasks accomplished. Yet after the first dozen pages, I realized this is not a book to be rushed in one sitting if you want to travel the journey with the authors.
The concept is simple. Quote a biblical reference. Match it with a photo. Show a two-page spread of historical and architectural details including what it looks like today. And finally, read Eva’s thoughts as she walks the path, touches the stones, and feels the same sun at the same place where it touched Jesus 2,000 years before. Her journey is spiritual. Her words are thought-provoking.
I realized then, the best way to view this book is to take each small journey and then rest and reflect. Jesus actually walked this earth, over there, in the Holy Land. And the Bible tells us what and where things happened. But to actually see these places, many of them unchanged over time, is to look at the Bible with ‘new eyes’. To experience a spiritual awakening to the truths and hardships of this holiest of lands.
This is the blessing I received from this book.
My Rating: Excellent
Value for the money: Excellent
More info on Reflections of God's Holy Land can be found here.
Blessings come in various forms from a prayer answered to a subtle awareness. Reflections of God’s Holy Land would be in the latter category. A glossy, pictorial essay suitable to display on the finest coffee table, I thought I would read it in a couple weeks, review it, and donate it to my church. Yet 5 months later, I still hold it in my hands, unwilling to pass it on.You see, I didn’t take the subtitle, A Personal Journey Through Israel, seriously. I assumed it was just another travel book with lots of beautiful photos of Israel and directions how to get there. Was I wrong.
I started reading Reflections of God's Holy Land the same way I read any other book; a couple hrs set aside to entertain myself as a reward for other tasks accomplished. Yet after the first dozen pages, I realized this is not a book to be rushed in one sitting if you want to travel the journey with the authors.
The concept is simple. Quote a biblical reference. Match it with a photo. Show a two-page spread of historical and architectural details including what it looks like today. And finally, read Eva’s thoughts as she walks the path, touches the stones, and feels the same sun at the same place where it touched Jesus 2,000 years before. Her journey is spiritual. Her words are thought-provoking.
I realized then, the best way to view this book is to take each small journey and then rest and reflect. Jesus actually walked this earth, over there, in the Holy Land. And the Bible tells us what and where things happened. But to actually see these places, many of them unchanged over time, is to look at the Bible with ‘new eyes’. To experience a spiritual awakening to the truths and hardships of this holiest of lands.
This is the blessing I received from this book.
My Rating: Excellent
Value for the money: Excellent
More info on Reflections of God's Holy Land can be found here.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot begin to tell you the blessing you have bestowed on me today ... I'll share this with Miriam and the good folks at Thomas Nelson immediately!
ReplyDeleteYou are a blessing!
Eva Marie Everson
CoAuthor
Reflections of God's Holy Land
Thank you, Eva Marie. It's always easy to write about a treasure.
ReplyDelete