In a More Peaceful Time

I have been privileged on a number of occasions now to be able to visit Israel, and each time I visit, I discover something new to capture my imagination, and demonstrate just how short a history my native country, the United States, has by comparison. It is hard sometimes to wrap my mind around the fact that many of the places I visit while in Israel are spoken of in the oldest and most sacred books of modern religion, or that some people in Israel have furniture older than the United States.


All over Israel children play, scholars teach, merchants sell their wares, story tellers tell stories, and lovers love. There is art, laughter, love, music, sorrow, tears, babies being brought into this world, and old people passing from this world. Despite occasional bloody and tragic conflict, the people of Israel, whether Israeli Arab or Jew, seem to move to the same rhythm of life as all people do.


Israel is a living, breathing entity; a land of constant tension where daily, people strive to live and maintain a harmonious existence with their fellow beings. Yes, the potential exists at any moment for violence to erupt, but those that would perpetuate such violence, in my opinion, are in the minority, and are no different than hate- and fear-mongers in any other country. While some might accuse me of turning a blind eye to the violence, intolerance, and injustice that goes on in Israel, I would argue that I just prefer see the beauty that exists in both its land and people.


I have much yet to see in Israel, and many places yet to visit. And while there will be critics of this book that say I missed including images of this important rock, or that historic church, this book is about the daily ebb and flow of life in a land more ancient than our comprehension, and more complex than most will ever understand.