Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land - Softcover

Clyde Edgerton-- University of North Carolina Wilmington, author of "Night Train""I can think of only two reasons to buy this book: 1. You are "not" going to the Holy Land.2. You "are" going to the Holy Land.In these pages Ruth Everhart writes eloquently about her trip into the dust and beauty of Christianity's cradle -- about her wrestling with her beliefs, her faith, and her past. If all pilgrims were as curious, insightful, introspective, firm, and openhearted as Ruth Everhart, our old world would roll more happily and safely through the universe. In her story you'll find bloodshed, humor, and -- most importantly -- love."Rachel G. Hackenberg-- author of "Writing to God""Like George Gershwin's "American in Paris", Ruth Everhart's memoir of an American Protestant in the Holy Land trips through a whirlwind of sights, sounds, conversations, questions, and revelations. The pace and first-person perspective effectively convey the disorienting (and holy) mess that results from putting our sanitized faith into tangible context -- where dust and dispute, pomegranates and politics, armed soldiers and traveling pilgrims coexist. Everhart lays bare her struggles and assumptions so that we have room to examine our own, and offers us her journey so that we might witness the mobility of Holiness as it contrasts with our desire for a locatable Jesus. Ultimately, "Chasing the Divine" in the Holy Land teaches us again the value of seeking, losing, and rediscovering the Divine every day."Carol Howard Merritt-- author of "Tribal Church" and "Reframing Hope""I cannot imagine a better guide into the Holy Land than Ruth Everhart. Every page of "Chasing the Divine" conjures Everhart's fierce intellect and sacred passion. With each step she takes, her engrossing descriptions point us beyond Sunday school sentimentality and challenge us to grapple with the blood and violence that pulse through the dust. More than just touring the land, Everhart teaches us to become pilgrims." --RevGalBlogPals"Everhart's writing is vivid, evocative, and close to the bone. . . . A book about a pilgrimage to the Holy Land would be remiss without mention of the conflict that resides there, and with this the author uses a deft, measured hand. The descriptions and multi-faceted explanations are neither simplistic nor overly sentimental."--Presbyterian Outlook"Poignant prayers throughout and thoughtful questions for Bible study and reflection add to the book's riches, making it an inspiring resource for ministry. But most of all, read alone or together in a group, this beautiful book will help seekers to 'move from one place with God to another place with God, ' which is what a pilgrimage is."--Englewood Review of Books"As Chasing the Divine reminds us, these kinds of once-in-a-lifetime experiences aren't meant to satisfy us, but are given to help us recognize how hungry we are. Everhart did the work of a pilgrim as she opened herself up to honest questions about her theological assumptions and spiritual history as she traveled the Land. Her beautiful, frank writing make this an enjoyable and unsettling read. The unsettledness is the gift of the book to readers, because the kinds of questions Ruth Everhart allowed herself to ask throughout the trip about who God is and what she truly believed about him are the kinds of questions that can transform any one of us into pilgrims, no matter where we live or travel."Clyde Edgerton-- University of North Carolina Wilmington, author of Night Train"I can think of only two reasons to buy this book: 1. You are not going to the Holy Land.2. You are going to the Holy Land.In these pages Ruth Everhart writes eloquently about her trip into the dust and beauty of Christianity's cradle -- about her wrestling with her beliefs, her faith, and her past. If all pilgrims were as curious, insightful, introspective, firm, and openhearted as Ruth Everhart, our old world would roll more happily and safely through the universe. In her story you'll find bloodshed, humor, and -- most importantly -- love."Rachel G. Hackenberg-- author of Writing to God"Like George Gershwin's American in Paris, Ruth Everhart's memoir of an American Protestant in the Holy Land trips through a whirlwind of sights, sounds, conversations, questions, and revelations. The pace and first-person perspective effectively convey the disorienting (and holy) mess that results from putting our sanitized faith into tangible context -- where dust and dispute, pomegranates and politics, armed soldiers and traveling pilgrims coexist. Everhart lays bare her struggles and assumptions so that we have room to examine our own, and offers us her journey so that we might witness the mobility of Holiness as it contrasts with our desire for a locatable Jesus. Ultimately, Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land teaches us again the value of seeking, losing, and rediscovering the Divine every day."Carol Howard Merritt-- author of Tribal Church and Reframing Hope"I cannot imagine a better guide into the Holy Land than Ruth Everhart. Every page of Chasing the Divine conjures Everhart's fierce intellect and sacred passion. With each step she takes, her engrossing descriptions point us beyond Sunday school sentimentality and challenge us to grapple with the blood and violence that pulse through the dust. More than just touring the land, Everhart teaches us to become pilgrims." "The Bible Today" In this travelogue Everhart shared with us many of the sights, sounds, and smells of her trip to the Holy Land. . . . Illustrates the commonness of biblical faith -- ordinary people in ordinary places have extraordinary experiences of God. This is a fast and delightful read. "Presbyterian Outlook" Chronicles Everhart's outward journey and her inward spiritual journey. . . . Poignant prayers throughout and thoughtful questions for Bible study and reflection add to the book's riches, making it an inspiring resource for ministry. But most of all, read alone or together in a group, this beautiful book will help seekers to move from one place with God to another place with God, ' which is what a pilgrimage is. "Catholic Library World" A fun, well-written book. "Cistercian Studies Quarterly" Engagingly written. . . . When I laughed, it was with delight. I am glad she released her words. You will be, too, when you accompany her pilgrimage by reading her book. --RevGalBlogPals"Everhart's writing is vivid, evocative, and close to the bone. . . . A book about a pilgrimage to the Holy Land would be remiss without mention of the conflict that resides there, and with this the author uses a deft, measured hand. The descriptions and multi-faceted explanations are neither simplistic nor overly sentimental."--Presbyterian Outlook"Poignant prayers throughout and thoughtful questions for Bible study and reflection add to the book's riches, making it an inspiring resource for ministry. But most of all, read alone or together in a group, this beautiful book will help seekers to 'move from one place with God to another place with God, ' which is what a pilgrimage is."--Englewood Review of Books"As Chasing the Divine reminds us, these kinds of once-in-a-lifetime experiences aren't meant to satisfy us, but are given to help us recognize how hungry we are. Everhart did the work of a pilgrim as she opened herself up to honest questions about her theological assumptions and spiritual history as she traveled the Land. Her beautiful, frank writing make this an enjoyable and unsettling read. The unsettledness is the gift of the book to readers, because the kinds of questions Ruth Everhart allowed herself to ask throughout the trip about who God is and what she truly believed about him are the kinds of questions that can transform any one of us into pilgrims, no matter where we live or travel."Clyde Edgerton-- University of North Carolina Wilmington, author of Night Train"I can think of only two reasons to buy this book: 1. You are not going to the Holy Land.2. You are going to the Holy Land.In these pages Ruth Everhart writes eloquently about her trip into the dust and beauty of Christianity's cradle -- about her wrestling with her beliefs, her faith, and her past. If all pilgrims were as curious, insightful, introspective, firm, and openhearted as Ruth Everhart, our old world would roll more happily and safely through the universe. In her story you'll find bloodshed, humor, and -- most importantly -- love."Rachel G. Hackenberg-- author of Writing to God"Like George Gershwin's American in Paris, Ruth Everhart's memoir of an American Protestant in the Holy Land trips through a whirlwind of sights, sounds, conversations, questions, and revelations. The pace and first-person perspective effectively convey the disorienting (and holy) mess that results from putting our sanitized faith into tangible context -- where dust and dispute, pomegranates and politics, armed soldiers and traveling pilgrims coexist. Everhart lays bare her struggles and assumptions so that we have room to examine our own, and offers us her journey so that we might witness the mobility of Holiness as it contrasts with our desire for a locatable Jesus. Ultimately, Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land teaches us again the value of seeking, losing, and rediscovering the Divine every day."Carol Howard Merritt-- author of Tribal Church and Reframing Hope"I cannot imagine a better guide into the Holy Land than Ruth Everhart. Every page of Chasing the Divine conjures Everhart's fierce intellect and sacred passion. With each step she takes, her engrossing descriptions point us beyond Sunday school sentimentality and challenge us to grapple with the blood and violence that pulse through the dust. More than just touring the land, Everhart teaches us to become pilgrims." --RevGalBlogPals-Everhart's writing is vivid, evocative, and close to the bone. . . . A book about a pilgrimage to the Holy Land would be remiss without mention of the conflict that resides there, and with this the author uses a deft, measured hand. The descriptions and multi-faceted explanations are neither simplistic nor overly sentimental.- --Presbyterian Outlook-Poignant prayers throughout and thoughtful questions for Bible study and reflection add to the book's riches, making it an inspiring resource for ministry. But most of all, read alone or together in a group, this beautiful book will help seekers to 'move from one place with God to another place with God, ' which is what a pilgrimage is.- --Englewood Review of Books-As Chasing the Divine reminds us, these kinds of once-in-a-lifetime experiences aren't meant to satisfy us, but are given to help us recognize how hungry we are. Everhart did the work of a pilgrim as she opened herself up to honest questions about her theological assumptions and spiritual history as she traveled the Land. Her beautiful, frank writing make this an enjoyable and unsettling read. The unsettledness is the gift of the book to readers, because the kinds of questions Ruth Everhart allowed herself to ask throughout the trip about who God is and what she truly believed about him are the kinds of questions that can transform any one of us into pilgrims, no matter where we live or travel.- Clyde Edgerton-- University of North Carolina Wilmington, author of Night Train-I can think of only two reasons to buy this book: 1. You are not going to the Holy Land.2. You are going to the Holy Land.In these pages Ruth Everhart writes eloquently about her trip into the dust and beauty of Christianity's cradle -- about her wrestling with her beliefs, her faith, and her past. If all pilgrims were as curious, insightful, introspective, firm, and openhearted as Ruth Everhart, our old world would roll more happily and safely through the universe. In her story you'll find bloodshed, humor, and -- most importantly -- love.- Rachel G. Hackenberg-- author of Writing to God-Like George Gershwin's American in Paris, Ruth Everhart's memoir of an American Protestant in the Holy Land trips through a whirlwind of sights, sounds, conversations, questions, and revelations. The pace and first-person perspective effectively convey the disorienting (and holy) mess that results from putting our sanitized faith into tangible context -- where dust and dispute, pomegranates and politics, armed soldiers and traveling pilgrims coexist. Everhart lays bare her struggles and assumptions so that we have room to examine our own, and offers us her journey so that we might witness the mobility of Holiness as it contrasts with our desire for a locatable Jesus. Ultimately, Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land teaches us again the value of seeking, losing, and rediscovering the Divine every day.- Carol Howard Merritt-- author of Tribal Church and Reframing Hope-I cannot imagine a better guide into the Holy Land than Ruth Everhart. Every page of Chasing the Divine conjures Everhart's fierce intellect and sacred passion. With each step she takes, her engrossing descriptions point us beyond Sunday school sentimentality and challenge us to grapple with the blood and violence that pulse through the dust. More than just touring the land, Everhart teaches us to become pilgrims.- "--RevGalBlogPals""Everhart's writing is vivid, evocative, and close to the bone. . . . A book about a pilgrimage to the Holy Land would be remiss without mention of the conflict that resides there, and with this the author uses a deft, measured hand. The descriptions and multi-faceted explanations are neither simplistic nor overly sentimental." "--Presbyterian Outlook""Poignant prayers throughout and thoughtful questions for Bible study and reflection add to the book s riches, making it an inspiring resource for ministry. But most of all, read alone or together in a group, this beautiful book will help seekers to 'move from one place with God to another place with God, ' which is what a pilgrimage is." "--Englewood Review of Books""As "Chasing the Divine" reminds us, these kinds of once-in-a-lifetime experiences aren t meant to satisfy us, but are given to help us recognize how hungry we are. Everhart did the work of a pilgrim as she opened herself up to honest questions about her theological assumptions and spiritual history as she traveled the Land. Her beautiful, frank writing make this an enjoyable and unsettling read. The unsettledness is the gift of the book to readers, because the kinds of questions Ruth Everhart allowed herself to ask throughout the trip about who God is and what she truly believed about him are the kinds of questions that can transform any one of us into pilgrims, no matter where we live or travel." Clyde Edgerton-- University of North Carolina Wilmington, author of "Night Train""I can think of only two reasons to buy this book: 1. You are "not" going to the Holy Land.2. You "are" going to the Holy Land.In these pages Ruth Everhart writes eloquently about her trip into the dust and beauty of Christianity's cradle -- about her wrestling with her beliefs, her faith, and her past. If all pilgrims were as curious, insightful, introspective, firm, and openhearted as Ruth Everhart, our old world would roll more happily and safely through the universe. In her story you'll find bloodshed, humor, and -- most importantly -- love." Rachel G. Hackenberg-- author of "Writing to God""Like George Gershwin's "American in Paris," Ruth Everhart's memoir of an American Protestant in the Holy Land trips through a whirlwind of sights, sounds, conversations, questions, and revelations. The pace and first-person perspective effectively convey the disorienting (and holy) mess that results from putting our sanitized faith into tangible context -- where dust and dispute, pomegranates and politics, armed soldiers and traveling pilgrims coexist. Everhart lays bare her struggles and assumptions so that we have room to examine our own, and offers us her journey so that we might witness the mobility of Holiness as it contrasts with our desire...

When Ruth Everhart was given the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land as one of several ministers taking part in a documentary about pilgrimage, she jumped at the opportunity. Little did she know just how demanding -- yet ultimately rewarding -- her transformation from Presbyterian minister, wife, and mom to pilgrim would be. Candid, down-to-earth, and delightful, Ruth recounts her experiences inChasing the Divine in the Holy Land, inviting readers to journey alongside her on an unforgettable Holy Land pilgrimage.

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