THE ROCK, THE ROAD, AND THE RABBI by Kathie Lee Gifford

This is a work of nonfiction. This book is about the author's own experiences in the land of Israel. She traveled to the areas we know as the Holy Land. These are the areas in ancient Palestine where the historical Jesus lived. The author spreads her content throughout 29 actual chapters. She begins her book with an Introduction, Preface, and Meet the Rabbi and Meet the Tour Guide. They who helped the author navigate her tour. She ends her book with a Conclusion, Going Home, Afterward, Appendix, Notes (sources consulted), and author bios (one for her and her co-author). Kathie Lee Gifford is the Emmy-winning co-host of TODAY (fourth hour). Her experiences are covered in this book. Rabbi Jason Sobel is an expert on all things Jewish. He is a spiritual guide and thought leader. He is the Founder of Fusion with Rabbi Jason, a nonprofit that help provide deeper insights into the Jewish roots of Scripture.

I have never read any of Kathie Lee Gifford's books. So I dd not know what to expect. Because of the subject matter, I expected a memoir of her experiences in the Holy Land. It is that. It is also a Rabbi's narrative about the Holy Land from his unique perspective. This book is heavy in theology and blatantly Christian. I did not expect that from a well-know TV celebrity. Kathie apparently has trusted Jesus since very early in life. She wrote in such a way that makes the reader wish that she can be in the Holy Land. Of course, Kathie Lee Gifford is wealthy and able to afford such a trip. For many of us unable to travel to the Holy Land, this is something of a vicarious experience. But no matter how well-written any book is, nothing can compare to actually being in the Holy land and experiencing it for yourself. Since many of us cannot do this, books like this are the next-best thing. IT is well-written, with texts by Gifford and Rabbi Sobel in different fonts to avoid confusion.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in the Jewish roots of Jesus and the Scripture. I recommend this book for Christians and pastors especially. I recommend this book to Jews open to finding out more about Jesus. I recommend this book for all of those among us who have Jewish friends.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for mt honest review. I wasn't required to give a positive review of this book.

The Homecoming That is Dividing A Country

Unless you live under a rock, I daresay that you know that the US is bitterly divided now. Actually, we have been divided ever since our current President has taken office. What should be a joyous even, a homecoming after five years of being kidnapped and missing, has caused an often angry or troubled firestorm of questions and controversy. The controversy and questions? The conditions under which this homecoming was allowed to happen, ironically, has backfired and split a nation.

The Situation of This Controversy

Over a week ago, we in the US celebrated when the news broke the story that Bowe Bergdahl, detained for almost five years, had been officially released by the Taliban. Now I remember when Bergdahl's case began, almost five years ago. It was announced, along with the report that he had deserted his post. In the course of these five years, reports and videos had leaked out of Afghanistan, where Bergdahl was held, that he was alive and was pleading, "Please bring me home." Now this former POW, released and currently recovering in Germany, has cause a firestorm, much of it along political party lines. I had a dream, in fact, that I was taken a position on Bergdahl and this controversy, and an acquaintance let me have it and accused me of being hateful. If you are in or from the US, I'm sure that you have a clear position on Bergdahl, especially on the circumstances and the terms of his release. Is Bergdahl a hero or a traitor? Was his life worth releasing five Gitmo detainees who are, after all, "bad guys"? These questions are swirling around and around. In the meantime, some details of the abuse this POW endured, is coming out. He was caged for a time and kept in a dark room. The celebration of his homecoming, sadly, has been called off for now. His parents have been getting death threats. More and more Americans, including veterans, are calling the former POW a "traitor" and a "deserter." A few have called for his execution. Some people, seeking to be voices of reason, are calling for patience as the investigation into the circumstances of the former POW's capture and release. What has happened to "innocent until proven guilty"?

The President Obama Role In This Controversy

Many, many Americans are confused, troubled and angry at President Obama and his administration for their decisions about Bowe Bergdahl's release. Many citizens are calling for his impeachment. Calls for his impeachment are nothing new, but they have intensified with the release of the former POW. The Internet has been popping up articles about President Obama's "making deals with terrorists" and "consorting with them." The Internet has been popping up articles about Bergdahl, suggesting that he should be executed for treason. I'm hearing of leaked stories that Bergdahl had written a note before his capture, declaring that he was tired of "fighting for Americans." Leaked stories indicate that he had deserted his post before this. Other stories have come out, but how do we know what is true and what is not? Why not wait for the investigation to be completed? Why not wait for Bergdahl to heal adequately so that he can tell us his side of the story? What about his parents' side of the story? The hate against the government, already rampant before this raging controversy, has just intensified. I know that there is another Marine who is detained in Mexico, and President Obama is being accused of hypocrisy for not "making any effort to free him." How do we know that the President is not working behind the scenes to do just that? I have seen posts opening declaring that President Obama is supporting the slaughter of Christians in Syria, and that he is consorting with the Palestinians against Israel, just to mention a couple of the things he is accused of. Worst of all, I'm hearing him being called a "traitor" who has freed a "deserter" in exchange for "terrorist" though there's no evidence that the five released men had anything to do with the tragedy of September 11. Our President has become very unpopular, vilified and the hatred of him is intensifying. The other day, an article told the story of of a dummy placed in a street, looking like President Obama, and placed in a hanging position. Can the message be any clearer of the perpetrator's contempt of the President? Where is this contempt coming from?

A Call for Patience and Reason

I know that the allegations of desertion and treason on the part of the former POW, are troubling. The only two offenses that are punishable by death are first-degree murder and treason. But do we have clear-cut and hard evidence that Bergdahl deserted his base, and betrayed his country? A rent poll tells us that 69 percent of Americans are unsure of that. And it is unclear. Since these are, at this point, allegations, Bowe Bergdahl is innocent until evidence tells us that he is guilty. The polls tell us that many Americans disagree with the swap of five Gitmo detainees for the former POW, but we are not privy to what went into this decision. I know that some are calling for us to refrain from getting our news from the media, because they are said to "incite hate." Well, the Internet is also the media, and much of what you see there is meant to stir up hate, also. Before we let this current controversy divide us any more, why not exercise patience, and wait? Wait for the investigation to be completed? Wait for the former POW to heal enough to give us his side of the story? How can we stand if we remain divided?