Darren Daugherty, Ph.D.
Darren Daugherty, Ph.D.

 Thursday, May 28, 2009  What we saw: Garden Tomb and Via Dolorosa  Although this tomb and its shared location of the crucifixion ("Gordon's Calvary") do not have the same historical support as those at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the individuals who have preserved this place created a beautiful place to reflect on Christ's…  Read More

 Wednesday, May 27, 2009  What we saw: Masada, En-gedi, 5 major canyons, Qumran  The places we saw today, with exception of the 5 canyons, were places of refuge for someone. At Masada, it was the Zealots who refused to answer to Rome. At Qumran, it was the Essene sect that sought a more devoted life to God, much different than…  Read More

 Tuesday, May 26, 2009  What we saw: Tel Arad, Beer-sheba, Wilderness of Zin, Big Bowl, Bedouin Experience  The remains at Tel Arad create a large window through which to view the spiritual health of Judah.  How do people get far from God's will after they've learned the truth? Why do people respond to God's directions by saying,…  Read More

 Monday, May 25, 2009  What we saw: Excavating at Meresha, Limestone caves of 1^st/2^nd Century Christians, Lachish, and Ashkelon.  In a previous journal entry, I wrote about Hezekiah and his encounter with Sennacherib at Jerusalem. Sennacherib destroyed Lachish on his way up to Jerusalem.  Lachish was one…  Read More

 Sunday, May 24, 2009  What we saw: Agriculture in the Sorek Valley, Ithri, Beth-Shemesh, Azekah and Elah Valley, Gath from a distance, Recount of David and Goliath, A 2^nd-temple tomb  Our day began with a walk through a wonderful agricultural area / park in the Sorek Valley. It was a very valuable experience that I…  Read More

Friday, May 22, 2009 (day off) Â What we saw: Walking the west-south ramparts of Jerusalem, the Burnt House Museum, and the Temple Institute. Â The photo is of the model of Jerusalem (2^nd-Temple period), seen at The Israel Museum. Â I also had the opportunity to see a model of the 3^rd temple. One may be puzzled…  Read More

 Thursday, May 21, 2009  What we saw: The road from Jericho to Jerusalem, Jericho excavation, Gezer, Herod's Jericho palace, Approaches to Jerusalem, and an evening walk to Ben Yudah (new city)  As on many other days, I have a new appreciation for the surroundings of biblical events. The road between Jericho and Jerusalem is covered…  Read More

 Wednesday, May 20, 2009  What we saw: Jerusalem model, Dead Sea artifacts, All Nations Church, Gethsemane, Approaches to Jerusalem, Herodium, Bethlehem…  Read More

 Tuesday, May 19, 2009  What we saw: Temple Mount, Western Wall, Roman Road, South side of Temple court, and an evening walk with friends to Ben Yudah (a shopping area in the new city)  Today's most emotional moment came on the steps of the Huldah gate. Although many things are not the same as they were in 4 B.C.…  Read More

 Monday, May 18, 2009  What we saw: Ancient stone quarry probably used for David's palace, the locations of Solomon's and Adonijah's crownings, Hezekiah's Wall, Pool of Siloam  The title of this journal entry may lead a person to assume that I am writing of King Solomon, the son of David. Instead, I write of a godly…  Read More

Sunday, May 17, 2009  What we saw: On Mt. Zion, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, David's Tomb, Last Supper, The Cardo, Western Wall, Zion Gate, Damascus Gate  The Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Church of the Resurrection) maintains a role in the remembrance of a terrible, yet glorious event. As the location of the crucifixion…  Read More

Saturday, May 16, 2009  What we saw: Citadel at Amman, Jordan Archaeological Museum, Madaba, Mt. Nebo  I've seen it depicted in at least three different movies, but none of them capture what I saw and felt as I stood on Mt. Nebo, looking over the Plains of Moab.  Moses was raised in a royal home and educated in the…  Read More

Friday, May 15, 2009  What we saw: Bozrah, Dana Gorge, Petra  As I walked through Petra, listening to our Guide's detailed explanations of the Nabataeans and the features of Petra, it became obvious that Petra once was a cosmopolitan city teeming with excitement and trade. Could the city…  Read More

Thursday, May 14, 2009  What we saw: entrance to Canaan, Pella, Gadara, Gerasa, Yarmuk Descent  Today we saw remains of one of the most aggressive building campaigns in history - the expansion of the Roman Empire. We explored Pella, Gadara, and Gerasa. These three cities were part of the Decapolis…  Read More

 Christine's life was suddenly changed when she was six years-old. No one could have predicted that her young mother would die of a brain tumor. As in the lives of many children facing grief, no one knew what to say or do. Christine was forced to live a different life that started with private grief. Over twenty-five years later, now in her thirties,…  Read More

 I was driving home from a course I was taking in fulfillment of my first master's degree. I turned on the radio and was shocked by what I heard. Robbie Castleman, a guest of Dr. Dobson on Focus on the Family radio, was speaking of things that were "ancient history." She spoke from the content of her great book, "Parenting in the Pew,"…  Read More

 I wrote/drew these many years ago as I was working on my drawing skills with the help of cartooning books. Please don't use any curriculum word-for-word, including these lessons. Children enjoy seeing something created right before their eyes. Cartooning lessons help to keep their attention while teaching them important Bible truths. It is even more exciting for a child to see the drawing…  Read More

 This is a children's book, published only right here. It is written in a "Dr. Seuss style," with similar rhyming and big imagination. This book, targeted for ages 5-10, is a modern-day allegory about a young boy that learns about the importance of serving God and relying on the strength that He provides for those that follow Him. As he encounters various fictitious scenes, he is put to the test. After contemplating…  Read More

 As a wide variety of emphases exist within the field of education, unique understandings are used to form educational philosophies and objectives. Christian educators, for example, have unique understandings which involve a specific belief system, mission, and worldview. Do these understandings affect how they educate? More specifically, how can Christian educators combine their understandings with key educational concepts…  Read More

 What are some of the most prominent examples of fatherhood in American society? For both positive and negative examples, one can look to the movies. Think about the negative examples for a moment. There was the over-bearing, loveless father played by Robert Duvall in "The Great Santini." Richard Dryfuss played the uninvolved father in "What about Bob." One of the most heart-wrenching movie moments was in "Hope…  Read More

A pubishing company advertised a special request. They asked for submissions of a children's book - a rewrite of one of their novels, "A Basket of Flowers." My submission was not chosen, and the potential improvements are now easier to see almost 10 years after composition. Instead of having it secluded on my computer, I've decided to post it here. It is a work of poetry, but be warned - it is very long.    This story took…  Read More

         by Daniela Daugherty  I only write of things I care; Of equal things and things unfair.  Like hurting kids whose lives are rough; Those kids who make my life so tough.  The lessons learned throughout my life; All through the pain, the hurt, the strife.  Appearance and acceptance too. And when I don't know what to do.  The people that I see each day. They pass me on the street I say!  My friends who keep me…  Read More

         by Daniela Daugherty  The sky on that day, Was a light, hazy gray.  And the streets were but bare. It was damp in the air.  Then the rain hit the road. On the stone darkness showed.  Statue hid anxious birds. In the town, idle words.  But then from apartment, Past house department,  Came down the cracked stairs. Now wind blowing her hairs.  Then unlocked the black gate. Iron bars, tow'ring -straight.…  Read More

          by Daniela Daugherty  I'm cooking and cleaning, But something's not working. I did all that they asked, And still they stayed lurking.  Sitting there, waiting there, Ready to pounce. One day the chance came, When the man did announce.  I was scrubbing the floor, When the messenger came. He gave them a notice, Which called all the dames.  They knew not I listened, But…  Read More

         by Daniela Daugherty  She looked in the mirror and saw her reflection. Staring back at her was just a simple complexion.  Her daddy said, "You're such a beautiful lady," And mommy said, "Plus, you were such a cute baby."  But all that she wanted was someone to care. She'd spend near two hours on solely her hair.  No one ever noticed her stay in the shadows. She could spend…  Read More

         by Daniela Daugherty  She walked in the pouring rain. Alone in the rain she remained. And on her shirt left a stain. She was soaked in the pouring rain.  The icy drops fell on her vein. The mascara and makeup did wane. And it ran down her face and the lane. She's a mess in the pouring rain.  But for her it covered the pain. It shadowed the stress and the strain. Drops kept her from going insane. She was sane in the…  Read More

         by Daniela Daugherty  The doorbell just rang. Then she felt a pang. The Captain there stood. The news was not good.  He took hard the fall. He'd given it all. No more to live. His life he did give.  "The bomb had exploded. The tankers were loaded, But now he is dead," This was what he said.  She dropped to the ground. Her world crashed all around. Brought up to her room; A place full of gloom. Â…  Read More

Families in Worship: Involve all ages, once a month, in a combined Sunday a.m. service. Such an effort involves addressing the kids, using visuals during the sermon, giving all ages opportunities to serve, and developing creative ways to help the children pay attention. Develop activity sheets that directly apply to the sermon and encourage parents and children to do them together. Do not give in to the practice…  Read More

Royal Family Kids Camps (www.rfkc.org) is a ministry to abused and neglected children. When our church decided to host such a camp, we did not adequately understand the ways in which our hearts would be affected in the process. I was involved in 5 of these camps, and there is so much more to say than what can be found in these few pages. Each child was different, coming from unique situations of abuse and neglect. Each year's camp had…  Read More

In May 2007, four university students, my daughter, and I went to India to make a positive difference in the lives of children. Our main assignment was to conduct a camp for children rescued from prostitution / human trafficking. I knew that our lives would be changed in profound ways through this experience, but I did not expect that I would fall in…  Read More

         WHO'S CHILD IS THIS (poem written in India, summer 2007)  Who's child is this with the burn-scarred face, of a different race, in this far off place.  Who's child is this, who comes up to me, with her childhood glee, says, "Will you love me?"  Who's child is this, who just wants to play, living life today, forgetting yesterday.  Who's…  Read More

June 16, 2008Â This is the day that Charlie, Cole, and Tracy left their home in one place to go to their home in another place. Without knowing of whom I am speaking, the average person would assume that I am speaking of a family that moved from one house to…  Read More

June 12, 2008 The last full day with the kids is over, and our house is full of many tears. During the day I had tears streaming down my face as I worked on a DVD for Charlie, Cole and Tracy. I looked through video tapes covering the last 18 months, and captured highlights of their lives: Charlie's 10th birthday, Cole's smile, Tracy's first steps and first birthday,…  Read More

June 12, 2008. It is 2:30am, and I cannot sleep. I went to bed once, and my wife had no idea that I laid next to her silently sobbing. Here come the tears again. Â Today is our last day with three wonderful children who have lived in our home for 1.5 years. We thank God for our three birth children, and we thank him for using our home to…  Read More