Traveler’s Tales

In this episode of Traveler's Tales, Greg Dowdy recounts 1 Samuel 7, when Samuel set up the stone Ebenezer after God's miraculous deliverance of  Israel from the Philistines at Mizpah. Samuel named the stone as a lasting reminder of God’s help. 
We also find a wonderful parallel to Christ as the greatest Ebenezer, at Calvary and by the empty tomb.
Click HERE to read or cite the full article on Enjoying the Journey by John Buckner. 
(Click HERE for an overview of 1 Samuel.)
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This episode explores John 1's brief but powerful encounter where Jesus tells Nathanael, "When thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee," explaining the fig tree as a symbol of peace, faithful waiting, and intimate devotion in a biblical context.
Read More About This Account HERE
Biblical Account: John 1:45-51
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

John Leland, an 18th-century Baptist preacher, championed religious liberty. He was instrumental in securing those freedoms for the United States. Leland argued that the gospel does not need (and should not wield) government power to succeed. Rather, that they should enforce laws for society while recognizing the Spirit's work within the human heart. No power can legislate regeneration. 
Many people today squabble over their freedoms more than they exercise them. If you have the right to share the gospel? Are you even doing that? 
Be sure to listen to this Traveler’s Tale with Greg Dowdy. 
Learn more about John Leland on Enjoying the Journey. 
Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE
Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

Is your heart's longing to draw nearer to God or simply to escape the challenges you are facing? 
This episode shares the life and ministry of Fanny Crosby, a blind hymn writer who composed thousands of hymns—including "I Am Thine, O Lord." Fanny Crosby, although blind from infancy, memorized vast portions of Scripture and served among the poor and addicted while traveling and ministering across America.
Hymn Lyrics: I Am Thine
1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,And it told Thy love to me;But I long to rise in the arms of faith,And be closer drawn to Thee.
(Refrain) Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,To the cross where Thou hast died;Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,By the pow’r of grace divine;Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,And my will be lost in Thine. (Refrain)
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hourThat before Thy throne I spend,When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,I commune as friend with friend! (Refrain)
4. There are depths of love that I cannot knowTill I cross the narrow sea;There are heights of joy that I may not reachTill I rest in peace with Thee. (Refrain)

Journey back to the Mayflower and meet William Bradford, a Pilgrim leader whose life was shaped by Scripture, steadfast faith, and a willingness to endure hardship and grief for the sake of the gospel and those following in his footsteps. 
From the perilous ocean crossing and unbelievable losses to decades of leadership in the early days of Plymouth, Bradford trusted in God’s providence and obeyed His Word. He lived with the conviction to be a stepping stone for future generations. Be sure to listen to this stirring Traveler's Tale with Greg Dowdy. 
Read more about Bradford's life HERE.
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Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
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Do you need God to increase your vision? Think again. You need God to be your vision. To guide your heart into alignment with His. In this Traveler's Tale, Greg Dowdy shares the origins of the hymn "Be Thou My Vision," telling the story of Dallán Forgal, a blind Irish poet, and how his ancient prayer was translated and set to verse centuries later. Since then, it has become the beloved and convicting hymn we sing today. 
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Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
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Hymn Lyrics: Be Thou My Vision
1. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;naught be all else to me, save that thou art.Thou my best thought, by day or by night,waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2. Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word;I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord.Born of thy love, thy child may I be, thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.
3. Be thou my buckler, my sword for the fight.Be thou my dignity, thou my delight,thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tow’r.Raise thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.
4. Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise;thou mine inheritance, now and always.Thou and thou only, first in my heart,Ruler of heaven, my treasure thou art.
5. High King of heaven, when vict’ry is wonmay I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun!Heart of my heart, whatever befall,still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

God sometimes leads His people into hard, unfamiliar places. Jacob sought God's guidance at Beersheba and received the comforting promise, "I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again."  God's greatest gift is His presence, not an easy journey. Sometimes His purpose takes you into hardship, but He sees and knows; He is with you. 
The episode connects this promise to several other examples across the Bible and ultimately, to Jesus. Together, we must trust God in seasons of silence or exile, and hold fast to His promises. He walks with His people through every trial.
Read John’s article published on Enjoying the Journey HERE
Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE
Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

G. Campbell Morgan was one of the greatest Bible teachers and preachers of his time. He spent years immersing himself in Scripture and let that one Book shape his preaching and every other area of life. His classic response to how he found such rich truth in the Word of God was: "Work. Work. Work." Just as Morgan loved and studied God's Word, so must every believer. It has the power to renew our minds and transform our lives to be more like the Savior.
Join Greg Dowdy for this stirring tale. 
Read more about his life HERE.
Find our FREE course on how to study God's Word HERE.
Browse more Traveler’s Tales HERE
Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

George Whitefield, an insecure Oxford convert, wrestled with fear and unworthiness before surrendering to God’s call to preach. Despite initial resistance, his obedience sparked powerful outdoor revivals across England and America - ultimately, God used George Whitfield to be a key instrument in The Great Awakening. 

Nothing is in the Bible by chance - even the Almonds have an eternal lesson for us. This edition of Traveler's Tales explores Jeremiah’s vision of an almond branch and its connection to Aaron’s budding rod, illustrating how God watches over and fulfills His promises even amid delays. 
Learn to recognize God’s faithfulness, respond to His call, and trust that His word will always come to pass.
Read John's article published on Enjoying the Journey HERE
Browse more Traveler's Tales HERE
Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

Traveler's Tales explores the true story behind the famous hymn "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder." The account begins with what seemed like a chance encounter in a Williamsport, Pennsylvania, alley in 1893. Youth pastor James M. Black met a poor girl named Bessie, whose brief life and faithfulness inspired a song that has comforted Christians for over a century.
If you are not sure that your salvation is settled, visit https://enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ 
Hymn History: When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
1. When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fairWhen the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. [Refrain]
[Refrain] When the roll, is called up yon-der,When the roll, is called up yon-der,When the roll, is called up yon-der,When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
2. On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,And the glory of His resurrection shareWhen His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. [Refrain]
3. Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,Let us talk of all His wondrous love and careThen when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,And the roll is called up yonder; I’ll be there. [Refrain]
Originally published by Enjoying the Journey HERE

This episode explores why God often meets his servants in the wilderness — from Moses and David to Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus — and how barren places become meeting places where God speaks to His servants. 
If you’re walking through a difficult season, the wilderness may be where God refines and speaks to you; open the Word of God, quiet your heart, and listen for His voice in your wilderness today. 
Read more on this HERE
Study the life of Elijah with Scott Pauley HERE 
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Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
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This episode tells the story of Raymond Lull, a 13th-century scholar and missionary who was transformed by Christ and devoted his life to preaching the gospel among hostile peoples in North Africa, enduring imprisonment and ultimately martyrdom.
It challenges listeners to love like Jesus—reaching out to those who oppose or reject us—and points to practical resources to help share the gospel with courage and compassion.
Buy a great biography about his life HERE.
Read more about his life HERE.
Find tools for sharing the Gospel HERE.
Browse more Traveler's Tales HERE
Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

On his deathbed, pastor Henry Francis Lyte wrote the hymn "Abide with Me," a simple prayer for Christ's presence as life’s shadows fell. The hymn, born from his final sermon and struggles with illness, has comforted generations in churches, hospitals, and at funerals.
This episode tells Light's story — his faithful ministry, his last sermon, and the enduring message that when earthly strength fails, Christ's presence remains enough.
Hymn Lyrics: Abide With Me"
1. Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.When other helpers fail and comforts flee,Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.Change and decay in all around I see.O thou who changest not, abide with me.
3. I need thy presence every passing hour.What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?Who like thyself my guide and strength can be?Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
4. I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless,ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
5. Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes.Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
 

After the flood, God sets a bow in the clouds as a lasting sign of His covenant, transforming a weapon of war into a symbol of mercy. This episode explores how the rainbow threads from Genesis to Revelation, reminding us of God's faithfulness and the meeting of judgment and grace in Christ.
Even amid life's storms, the rainbow reminds us to trust in God's unchanging promises. 
Browse more Traveler's Tales HERE
Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus.
To support this ministry, visit enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/