Shannon here: R. F. Whong shares the inspiration behind her Contemporary Fiction title: Love under Holy Skies. The book is free on Kindle Unlimited. All comments will go in Wednesday’s drawing. Deadline: June 7th 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Ruth:
Window on the Empty Tomb
My husband and I volunteered for eight weeks at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem before the pandemic. The Garden Tomb, tucked away just outside the old city walls of Jerusalem, is revered by many as the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. During our time there, every morning as sunlight filtered through olive branches and birds flitted above ancient stones, I found myself immersed not only in history, but in the heartbeat of Christian faith.
At the very heart of the Garden Tomb is the Christian belief that, on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave. As a volunteer, I witnessed countless visitors from every continent contemplating this fact. To stand in a space that many believe witnessed the single most transformative event in human history is a humbling experience. It’s a reminder that resurrection is the living hope of believers across generations and cultures.
One detail that captivated me was the small window carved into the tomb’s stone wall. In ancient Jewish tradition, such a window was often placed in a tomb to allow the soul to leave.
The story of Lazarus, another resurrection with its own unique details, came alive when I looked at the small opening on the stone wall. Recorded in the Gospel of John, Lazarus was in the tomb for four days before Christ called him out. In ancient times, the fourth day was significant, as it was believed that the spirit had left the tomb by then, making resurrection even more miraculous. As I walked among those ancient stones in Jerusalem, I found new resonance: Jesus commands life not only over death, but over hopelessness, over finality, over the “impossible.”
Our weeks at the Garden Tomb were weeks of service—greeting pilgrims, tending gardens, taking care of the gift shop. Yet they were also weeks of encounter. The history, the passion, the small window in the stone, all became part of my faith journey. In that quiet garden, I learned more about faith, hope, and the enduring possibility of new beginnings.
As the world continues to seek healing and restoration, the empty tomb and its small, hope-filled window remind me daily: the story is not over.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
Question for Readers: Have you ever been to Jerusalem? If yes, what touched you most? If not, is it on your bucket list?
P.S.: I’ve included my experience at the Garden Tomb in my book, Love Under Holy Skies. It’s free on KU.
About Ruth: Dr. Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books under R. F. Whong. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city.
She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym.
In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.
The Minnesota Anoka County Library has chosen her as a 2025 Featured Author. Learn more & connect:
Ruth’s Goodreads Ruth’s Bookbub Ruth’s Twitter X
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About the book – Love Under Holy Skies
Has anyone encountered the Jerusalem syndrome—the profound spiritual aura of the Holy Land?
Biochemist Lily Leung always considered love a luxury she couldn’t afford. Betrayed and kicked out of her family home in Taiwan at sixteen, she won’t risk such heartache again.
Entrepreneur Josh Ying carries his own scars. Growing up in Hong Kong with a sick older brother, he became the invisible child until his bold demand led to a dire consequence.
When their paths converge at Ohio State University, these two desolate souls forge an unexpected bond. Yet, unhealed wounds, resentment, guilt, and circumstances beyond their control drive them apart. Now, years later, a chance encounter at the Garden Tomb in Israel reunites them. Under the spell of the Jerusalem syndrome, will they jeopardize their hearts again?
Join Lily and Josh on a heartfelt journey of healing and redemption where love is both a risk and a salvation in a world marked by cultural and emotional complexities.
Note: The first edition of this book under the title, Love at the Garden Tomb, was published in 2022.
Interested in the book? Or Ruth’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
Love Under Holy Skies Ruth’s Books
Come back May 28th for Linda Hoover!
Yes, I went to Jerusalem in 1973 when I was 19 years old. There were 202 people on the trip and I knew no one, except a music evangelist I had met at a revival. He was stuck in an ice storm, but made it to the plane within minutes of takeoff. The Sea of Galilee was a turning point in my life. While the storm raged all around us, the storm inside me and my tears blended together while standing alone on the top deck of the ship. I was able to sing my heart out to God with the words of a song I had learned in choir. “Lord, you asked for all my life in healing hurts and ending strife,
with mind to always seek the truth, with voice to always speak the truth,
And live to manifest Christ worth,
I cannot wait, I cannot wait!
here is my life, I want to live it,
here is my life, I want to give it serving my fellow man,
Doing the will of God:
Here is my life, here is my life, here is my life.”
Indeed, my life was quite different after that trip. I will never forget that experience!