Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 524

Birth of Mary: Tuesday on Ave Maria/EWTN Radio with Al Kresta

How many of you have a scroll on your desk entitled The Protoevangelium of James? You don't! Why not?

If you were a Christian in the first centuries of the Church you would probably have a copy, or had read it — or rather, had it read to you.

The Protoevangelium of James is the non-biblical account of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. By saying it is the "non-biblical" account does not mean it is not true, just that it was not included in the Bible. There were many early writings not...

Pilgrimages and Paul Cruise Full

Our two Holy Land pilgrimages in October are completely full but we do have a waiting list. We may add another bus if enough sign up in the next few weeks.

We do still have a few seats left on our November St. Paul Cruise through Turkey, Greece and Italy. This trip will be filled quickly.

Visit http://www.SteveGoes.com. If you miss out this year, we have more exciting biblical trips in 2011 and 2012. Hope you can join us!

Hawking: "Universe Came from Nothing"

The Curious Metaphysics of Dr. Stephen Hawking

By Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D.

Why would a preeminent physicist make the claim that "the universe can come from nothing?" This is precisely what Dr. Stephen Hawking has done in his new book, "The Grand Design," when he notes, "Because there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why we exist."

This statement...

Pilgrimages & Paul Cruise Full!

Our two Holy Land pilgrimages in October are completely full but we do have a waiting list. We may add another bus if enough sign up in the next few weeks.

We do still have a few seats left on our November St. Paul Cruise through Turkey, Greece and Italy. This trip will be filled quickly.

Visit http://www.SteveGoes.com. If you miss out this year, we have more exciting biblical trips in 2011 and 2012. Hope you can join us!

Tuesday on Ave Maria/EWTN Radio with Al Kresta

Tuesday I will join Al Kresta at 5:20 PM Eastern time to discuss the Birth of Mary and also the upcoming Call to Holiness Dinner I am speaking at.

After the show Al and I are going out to dinner to catch up!

To Cana with Mary: Living the Bible in the Holy Land

Check out my running trip on @EveryTrail: 2010-09-06 To Cana with Mary http://bit.ly/cpxE0M

Always wanted to walk in Mary and Jesus' path from Nazareth to Cana and today I did – running from Nazareth to Cana and back before lunch.

Again it was hot with lots of hills but I drank plenty of water along with a peace and a tomato.

Started at Mary's Well in Nazareth then over the big hill before descending on my way down to Cana. Visited four churches, took my picture by the famous Cana arch sign a...

To Cana of Galilee – on Foot!

Tomorrow, America's Labor Day, I plan to run from Nazareth to Cana of Galilee (and back) mentioned in John 2.

Mary walked from Nazareth to Cana, as did Jesus and his disciples. There was a wedding and Jesus turned water into wine. I'll have some good Israeli wine at the end of the run.

We'll see how it goes since it's very HOT here, but hey, they did it! And, I was just at a wedding here yesterday!

Ever Hear the Muslim Call to Prayer?

Ever hear the Muslim Call to Prayer coming from a green-lighted minaret attached to a mosque?

If not, enjoy this 20 second segment of the 10 minute call blaring from speakers five times a day — including 4 AM, nice new alarm clock, eh?

Much of the world, including the Christians in Nazareth, know exactly what I'm talking about. Listen and you will know what to expect from a mosque being built near you!

I just recorded/videoed this while leaving the restaurant in Nazareth.

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New Run with Pictures Thru Nazareth

Check out my running trip on @EveryTrail: 2010-09-05 New Run thru Nazareth. Click here: http://bit.ly/bUBfHq

Hot! A bit of a scuffle with two Arabs. Good time and great adventure. A few pictures of many below, including the stadium where Pope celebrated Mass here in Nazareth in 2009.

Politics and Religion

I am often criticized for speaking out on politics, especially at this point in history on President Obama.

Do I dislike him because he is black? Ridiculous! That is often the blustering response to criticism of Obama. I can think of many blacks, both men and women I would proudly claim as president. Race is not the issue — knowledge of economics, loyalty to our historical principles, Christian morality, conservatism (not socialism), integrity and real experience ARE the issues.

I recently...