Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 514

Relevant Radio: Steve on the Early Saints

Tomorrow I will join Sean Herriott to discuss the early saints — how they lived and how they died and why we call them saints.

You can listen live at www.RelevantRadio.com from 7:00 – 8:00 AM Eastern time.

I will specifically discussing the Apostolic Fathers. You can purchase my DVD on the Apostolic Fathers filmed on location here.

Happy All Saints Day!

Masada, Qumran, Jericho, Dead Sea & Camels; Good-byes too!

All went well and the group is safely on their way home. The only problems are with internet and filters which is giving me a lot of grief trying to get the last two videos up. I will get them soon. Sorry.

Part I

Masada, Qumran, floating in the Dead Sea, lunch and biblical sites in Jericho, riding camels.

Part II

Here is the last evening of Mass, comments of pilgrims, and departure.

Pilgrimage Group Heading Home!

All went well and the group is safely on their way home. This trip went very well. Videos are in the process and will be up soon.

Bible Riddles, Quizzes & Puzzles

Sitting at the office with nothing to do? Wanting to sharpen your knowledge of Bible facts? Click here for a little diversion and fun.

But, before you click the link, see if you can figure out this riddle :-)

Write to me if you need help; click here to see the answer.

Three times I have been divided

doing what God had decided.

Twice a garment was the tool

that led me to obey God's rule.

I was the threshold of new things

and the limit of many kings.

Once God's son I did embrace.

Once the ark stood in my place.

Never have I walked the ground,

nor in the heavens was I found.

What am I?

Day 7: Mount of Olives & Mount Zion

Part i

Part II coming soon.

John the Baptist ate them…

Since we are in Israel right now I thought I would repost this blog entry … STEVE RAY LIVING THE BIBLE IN THE HOLY LAND!

While on Pilgrimage in Israel we stopped at Qumran, near the Dead Sea and the place where John the Baptist baptized. John the Baptist ate grasshoppers here (Matthew 3:4).

I mentioned to my pilgrims that if anyone found a grasshopper — I would eat it like John the Baptist did in the desert.  Grasshoppers, locusts and crickets were considered "clean foods" for the Israelites (Lev. 11:22).

Did Jesus eat them? Why not? It was clean food for the Jews specifically mentioned in the Bible. Leviticus 11:22 says they are "clean" and can be eaten.

Well, finding a big juicy grasshopper became the goal for many of the pilgrims. And before long I found myself with a 4 inch long wiggling insect in my hands and only a sense of humor to get me through.

I promised the group if they found one I'd eat it — never believing they'd find one. They found a BIG one. What to do?

I ate it — live and wiggling — very crunchy. Now I know what a locust tastes like and I know why John the Baptist ate them with wild honey!

Living the Bible here in the Holy Land!

You can see all our past videos of our pilgrimages at www.SteveGoes.com. Go to Pilgrimages > Past.

Updated Article on Infant Baptism

Even among Evangelical Protestants there is much debate about Infant Baptism. My old Baptist tradition rejected it as a Catholic tradition of men. Dr. Francis Schaeffer, my favorite Evangelical Presbyterian theologian wrote a booklet entitled Infant Baptism in favor of the practice.

It continues to be a problem between Catholics and many Protestants. If you want to know more about it and why we as Catholics practice it with joy based on Scripture and early tradition, read my article here.

The picture is our granddaughter Elizabeth Arabella Rose Ray getting baptized — a little pagan becomes a Christian.

Day 6: Incredible Mass at the Tomb of Christ!

The wake up call came at 4:30 AM. Argh! "You will thank me later," I told the pilgrims. We left the hotels at 5:00 AM to walk the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross).

After walking the Way of Sorrows we quickly toured the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before settling into the benches set up for us and Mass began with pipe organ and singing Franciscans.

Everyone was moved by the Mass! You can enjoy a bit of it on my video. Then we had a group picture and then breakfast with two hours free to regroup or nap.

We took off again for Bethesda and St. Ann's Church, before arriving at the Western Wall for the morning of Bar Mitzpah's. Everyone then had the afternoon off to scatter through the Old City. Most went back to the Holy Sepulchre to enter the tomb and to touch the top of Calvary.

We ended the day with a marvelous tour of the Notre Dame Holy Shroud Exhibit before dinner.

Final Judgment based on "Faith Alone'?

Is "Faith Alone" the Basis for the

Final Judgment?

Dear Baptist Friend Jerry :

I had no intention of writing you again this soon but after having dinner with your brother seeing a copy of a booklet you gave him entitled Studies In Contrasts: The Doctrine of Salvation (by Herb Vander Lugt), I thought I'd drop you a short note.

I was not surprised, but I was again disappointed in the obvious dishonesty (or ignorance) of the author and the unfounded assumptions of the booklet — and your gulliblity in believing this stuff. I decided to write a short note to ask you a few questions to see if you agree with me. . . .

For the rest of the letter, click here.

For many more such articles and letters, click here.

All Day in Bethlehem & Hebron

Hey, family and friends — leave your comments and greetings below in the COMMENTS and I will read them to your family and friends each day on the bus.

Another great day!