This episode uses the spring wildflowers of Israel and Isaiah 40:6-8 to illustrate the brevity of our lives and the eternal nature of God’s Word.

Spring in the Holy Land is gorgeous, with the rains causing even the deserts to suddenly bloom with flowers. One remarkable flower is the poppy, the national flower of the modern nation of Israel.

They carpet the hills with red, but the burst of color is short-lived. They only last for about two or three days. Many ancient writers believed that the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write of the poppy when he penned chapter 40. In the metaphor, this beautiful but fragile flower is us. We bloom for a short time, then we pass away. After the rains, the dry season comes to Israel. The flowers die, and the grass withers.

Click HERE to read or cite the full article on Enjoying the Journey by John Buckner.

(Click HERE for an overview of Isaiah.)

Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE

Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.

To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

This episode visits the Sorek Valley to tell Samson’s story—a man chosen by God who repeatedly ‘went down’ toward the Philistine plain, surrendered to temptation, and was ultimately captured after Delilah uncovered the secret of his strength.

We find also the great significance in the geography and symbolism of his decline. Join Greg Dowdy for this Bible story Travelers Tales.

READ MORE HERE

STUDY THE LIFE OF SAMSON HERE.

Amy Carmichael had one childhood wish: blue eyes, instead of brown. Yet, it seemed this simple prayer went unanswered. In the wisdom of God, Amy became a lifelong missionary in India. What seemed like disappointment allowed her to blend into Indian culture and rescue scores of children from horrendous temple exploitation. Her unanswered prayers became an avenue to answer the prayers of hundreds of suffering children.

Despite illness, opposition, and physical limitations, she founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, wrote influential devotional works, and demonstrated trust in God’s greater plan. What a life!

Be sure to listen to this Traveler’s Tale with Greg Dowdy.

Learn more about Amy Carmichael on Enjoying the Journey.

Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE

Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.

To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

Pastor Edward Hopper ministered to 19th-century New York sailors and anonymously wrote the hymn "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me," using nautical word pictures to illustrate that Christ will be their Guide through life’s uncertain journey. The hymn spread beyond the harbor and became an enduring comfort for believers facing storms and uncertain days. Jesus will pilot His people safely - all the way home.

Originally published by Enjoying the Journey HERE.

If you are not sure that your salvation is settled, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel

1. Jesus, Savior, pilot me over life’s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, hiding rock and treach’rous shoal; Chart and compass come from Thee—Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

2. As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boisterous waves obey Thy will when Thou say’st to them, “Be still.” Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

3. When at last I near the shore, and the fearful breakers roar Twixt me and the peaceful rest —then, while leaning on Thy breast, May I hear Thee say to me, “Fear not — I will pilot thee.”

In this episode of Traveler's Tales, Greg Dowdy recounts 1 Samuel 7, when Samuel set up the stone Ebenezer after God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from the Philistines at Mizpah. Samuel named the stone as a lasting reminder of God’s help.

We also find a wonderful parallel to Christ as the greatest Ebenezer, at Calvary and by the empty tomb.

Click HERE to read or cite the full article on Enjoying the Journey by John Buckner.

Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE

Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.

To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

This episode explores John 1's brief but powerful encounter where Jesus tells Nathanael, "When thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee," explaining the fig tree as a symbol of peace, faithful waiting, and intimate devotion in a biblical context.

Read More About This Account HERE

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

John Leland, an 18th-century Baptist preacher, championed religious liberty. He was instrumental in securing those freedoms for the United States. Leland argued that the gospel does not need (and should not wield) government power to succeed. Rather, that they should enforce laws for society while recognizing the Spirit's work within the human heart. No power can legislate regeneration.

Many people today squabble over their freedoms more than they exercise them. If you have the right to share the gospel? Are you even doing that?

Be sure to listen to this Traveler’s Tale with Greg Dowdy.

Learn more about John Leland on Enjoying the Journey.

Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE

Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.

To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

Is your heart's longing to draw nearer to God or simply to escape the challenges you are facing?

This episode shares the life and ministry of Fanny Crosby, a blind hymn writer who composed thousands of hymns—including "I Am Thine, O Lord." Fanny Crosby, although blind from infancy, memorized vast portions of Scripture and served among the poor and addicted while traveling and ministering across America.

Hymn Lyrics: I Am Thine

1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith, And be closer drawn to Thee.

(Refrain) Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died; Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord, By the pow’r of grace divine; Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, And my will be lost in Thine. (Refrain)

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour That before Thy throne I spend, When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God, I commune as friend with friend! (Refrain)

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know Till I cross the narrow sea; There are heights of joy that I may not reach Till I rest in peace with Thee. (Refrain)