This is a book that instantly transports you to the times and places of Jesus, with Lynn Austin's vivid depictions of Israel creating a wonderful travelogue. More than just relaying geographic details, Pilgrimage offers devotional thoughts interspersed with biblical accounts and cultural explanations. This was such a rich book to read because it brought every destination to life, filling in the picture to provide a greater understanding of Jewish life to readers. There are so many questions and lessons in each chapter that it reads like a diary of what the author has learnt from God on each leg of the trip.

I love that there is a prayer to round out each chapter and that there are numerous Bible verses quoted to further explain God's Word. If I should never have the opportunity to visit the Holy Land, this book is a helpful stand-in by which I can go back and reread some of the descriptions provided. This book does not read like a textbook in that it's a personal account of the author's own experiences and encounters with God, which makes it even more accessible and meaningful.
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A series of losses, disappointments, and unpleasant surprises have pummeled Lynn Austin. She is feeling bruised, spiritually dry, and, in plain words, depressed. And so she has high hopes for an opportunity to travel around Israel for two weeks:

“Spiritual renewal is what I long for … as I begin this pilgrimage. I want to see the bigger picture of His plan and learn to accept His will in all things. I want to revitalize my prayer life. … Maybe I’ll be able to let go of my own will and face the changes in my life with joy and faith” – Pilgrimage, Kindle Location 97.

Pilgrimage is Austin’s account of that two-week trip. But it is much more than a travelogue. For in it she gives the historical background of each stop. She reviews for us the Bible events that happened in each location. She explains Bible customs from her knowledge enriched by research for the many biblical fiction novels she’s written. And she probes those Bible events and characters for insights and lessons she can take back with her into everyday life.

Some things I really liked about this book were the lyrical descriptions of modern sites in Israel as seen through Austin’s eyes, the review of what happened at each location, and the explanations of interesting customs that add richness and depth to an understanding of the Bible. And I gained an appreciation of the humanity of this author (whose novels I’ve enjoyed) as she shared openly about her life.

One aspect of the book that disappointed me, though, was the way Austin explained her situation and feelings in the first chapter and then, throughout most of her travels, she merely named the feelings she was grappling with (anxiety, discouragement, impatience, worry, etc) without relating them to specific incidents or triggers. It seemed like a type of “telling’ versus “showing” and didn’t have the impact one would expect that kind of memoir-writing to have. Perhaps a more engaging way of relating these personal incidents would have been to leave that list out of Chapter One and tell about these events in bits and pieces throughout her travels. As it was, I had to keep reminding myself why she was feeling so negative—Oh right, that list from Chapter One. When she did include stories of her life that her travels brought to mind, my interest immediately picked up.

Pilgrimage would make a wonderful read-along guide for people touring Israel. Many locations are chapter titles and of course digital copies of the book are searchable so no worries if your itinerary differs from hers, just search the location you wish to read about: Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Joppa, Caesarea etc.

For anyone who loves Israel or hopes to tour the Holy Land, Pilgrimage is a good historical and devotional resource.

I received my copy of Pilgrimage as a gift from Bethany House (via NetGalley) for the purpose of writing a review.
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This is a very personal look at Lynn's journey to Israel. She was in a spiritually dry place and this journey helped her to regain her spiritual footing literally by following in Jesus' footsteps. It always helps to know of another's struggles in the same area you are experiencing. We all go through these low places in our spiritual walk and discover God is still there, we are the ones moving away from Him. I enjoyed Lynn's scripture references for each guided tour they journeyed on. She did a great job of paralleling her spiritual walk with her physical pilgrimage to Israel. I enjoyed getting to know one of my favorite authors a little better. If you enjoy her books and want a bit of a personal glimpse at her life, this book is just what you need. ( )

Timely and wonderful - I was going through my own dry period and her journey helped me. Lynn Austin has written a travelogue of sorts - a journey of her body, heart and mind. She was in a dry spell where not even her prayers or her worship felt normal. She embarks on a journey to Israel to walk in the places of the Bible. Her journey begins in the wilderness of Zin, a dry dusty desert that reflects her present spiritual life. The tour progresses through to Jerusalem and on to Galilee and the coastal city of Capernaum. Throughout the book she describes the countryside and the places that she goes in context of the stories from the Bible that occurred there. Her descriptions are so vibrant it makes you feel like you are right there with her. She often brings to light things about the story or the culture that aren't necessarily well known. Each destination in each chapter ends with a beautiful prayer praising God for the things she has seen and the knowledge or understanding she has gained from this experience. By the end of the book she is in a better place spiritually, rejoicing in the understanding she has gained from God through this journey. I would very much like to go on the same tour she went on. Even though the reader did not go physically on the journey I believe God will use her journey to minister to you as well.
I am so grateful that Mrs. Austin was willing to share her struggles with others. We feel less alone in our doubts and fears when we realize there are others who feel similarly. I'm reading through a second time to be sure I didn't miss any blessing God has to share with me!
I highly recommend this book! ( )

Title: Pilgrimage (my Journey to a Deeper Faith in the Land Where Jesus Walked)
Author: Lynn Austin
Pages: 240
Year: 2013
Publisher: Bethany
A ritual happens around this time of year between now and the New Year…resolutions. Some are goals like reading through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, but how many continue reading, especially when they come to the book of Leviticus? Another resolution many make is in regard to their physical appearance, not that that is a bad idea either. Something I didn’t even think to do was ask the Lord if I should make a resolution in the first place. Do you ask the Lord about making a resolution or is it just because it is the time of year to do so? If and what you resolve to do, do you then tell people what it is when they ask? When people ask me, I jokingly say, “I gave that up for Lent!”, and then tell them I don’t make them anymore.
Lynn Austin has been a favorite author of mine for some time, yet I am always drawn to want to know the person behind the writing. Lynn Austin has shared herself in a very transparent, elegant, nonfiction book released this year called, Pilgrimage. Within the pages, Lynn shares where her heart hurts, what her daily struggles are and what the Lord showed her when she recently went on a tour in Israel. Lynn Austin doesn’t share this to garner pity or empathy, at least that is not the sense I got as I read the book. What I gleaned was the heart of a sister in the Lord and her journey here on earth with the trials and triumphs she has experienced. I sense she wrote the book as a journal to remind herself in days to come of all the Lord has revealed to her about Himself and to encourage us, her fellow travelers.
As you read each chapter, you may find yourself agreeing with what she shares or empathizing because you have experienced something similar. There is a call to remember like King David all the Lord has done when we are in a dry place spiritually speaking or a heart broken area. All who read this will be able to come away with encouragement, hope, to drink deeply of God’s Word, to gain a rekindled fire for prayer or maybe to practice reminding ourselves what the Lord has done for us and for others.
So before you think of making a resolution or just going into 2014 with whatever you have already planned, please take a little time to read what Lynn Austin shares. Then go to Lord, dwell in the Word and see what adventure He may have for you in 2014 that you would never have thought of before hearing His voice.
My rating is 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )