Day 5 started with a really short night. Somehow we managed to arrange our trip so we could
experience losing sleep as a freebie. In this case the whole Daylight "Savings" Time thing caught us. So, one less hour last night. The big plus is that sunrise is later and there is more daylight at the end of the day for photography. Here is sunrise this morning over the Sea of Galilee from our balcony. Very nice start to the day.
We had a busy day scheduled and traveled first to the Mount of Beatitudes. The Lucado group was already there and it was busy. Still, we were able to find a nice area to meet as a group and read scripture. The grounds are beautiful and really well done. There are many areas that groups can use for devotional times and reflection.
Indeed, the side of the hill does slope gradually down towards the water and with some imagination you could easily see several thousand people sharing the hillside.
I don't know what it was about the place, whether it was the scripture reading or perhaps just grasping the significance and history of the location but I was deeply moved. We decided to do an improptu song at the end of the devotion and sang the traditional version of Amazing Grace. It was a sweet time with sweet people. Reggie uploaded a short clip and I finally figured out how to embed the video here.
I can only imagine how amazing the place can be without the crowds. Our guide counted 25 buses. It didn't bother us in the least.
From there we headed north to Tel Dan National Park. We were literally 36 miles from Damascus, Syria and even closer to Lebanon.
First of all, the area was beautiful. This is near the headwaters of the Jordan River and has several cold springs and mountain springs from Mt. Hermon on the Syrian border.
We read about Jeroboam and how he set up idol worship and how God cut him off, him and his offspring. We saw the actual altar and worship site. Reggie brought up the point that while Jeroboam's idol worship was public and obvious, we all have our own idols. We all have things that we deem more important than God, things that we spend more time with than God and they are all idols, false gods that should be destroyed. I didn't like it. He stepped all over my toes.
Also at Tel Dan and discovered in 1979 is an old city gate, called the Canaanite Gate or Abraham's Gate that is from the 18th century B.C., the time of Abraham. Yes, that's right. It's the oldest site in Israel. It's called Abraham's Gate because it is thought that Abraham may have entered through this gate to rescue his nephew Lot from the people of Dan.
Ok, so now we've also walked with Abraham. Cool.
Next was Caesarea Phillipi, I'll let Reggie do the talking. It was convicting and I told him to stop it. (sarcasm)
It was another beautiful site in northern Israel. Not much remains to be seen here but remnants of the temples to various gods.
Next was lunch. We drove back down to the Sea of Galilee to have a little fish. The locally raised
fish is called the St. Peter's fish. If there is another name I don't know it. We ate outdoors under a huge pavilion near the shore. Fish was average to be honest, about like tilapia but it was more about the experience.
Next we drove to see the traditional location in John Ch. 21 where Jesus appeared to the disciples for the fourth time after his resurrection (when Jesus told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat to catch fish). Our guide discussed the reasons why this was the likely site and it was logical. The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter is built around the rock where Jesus would have likely prepared their breakfast. An interesting place.
It's hard to pick a highlight for this day but perhaps it was the boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. It was an opportunity to slow down and relax, to really absorb what I had seen and where I was. Again, Reggie gave a great devotion and then Kim and I sang Master of the Sea, an old Squire Parsons song that could not have possibly been more appropriate.
Here is Reggie's devotion minus some funny stuff that Teana did to him. I may post that to facebook later.
Reggie took a video of us singing and posted it to vimeo. However, it's about the same as this one below.
We landed at our hotel and called it a day.
Ok, we ate first, then we went to bed.
Not exactly. Kim went to bed and I stayed up late working on yesterday's blog.
Like right now.
Shalom.
Randy
 |
| Sunrise in Tiberias |
We had a busy day scheduled and traveled first to the Mount of Beatitudes. The Lucado group was already there and it was busy. Still, we were able to find a nice area to meet as a group and read scripture. The grounds are beautiful and really well done. There are many areas that groups can use for devotional times and reflection.
 |
| Looking towards the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes |
I don't know what it was about the place, whether it was the scripture reading or perhaps just grasping the significance and history of the location but I was deeply moved. We decided to do an improptu song at the end of the devotion and sang the traditional version of Amazing Grace. It was a sweet time with sweet people. Reggie uploaded a short clip and I finally figured out how to embed the video here.
I can only imagine how amazing the place can be without the crowds. Our guide counted 25 buses. It didn't bother us in the least.
 |
| The view near Abraham's Gate toward Syria (other side of mountain) |
First of all, the area was beautiful. This is near the headwaters of the Jordan River and has several cold springs and mountain springs from Mt. Hermon on the Syrian border.
We read about Jeroboam and how he set up idol worship and how God cut him off, him and his offspring. We saw the actual altar and worship site. Reggie brought up the point that while Jeroboam's idol worship was public and obvious, we all have our own idols. We all have things that we deem more important than God, things that we spend more time with than God and they are all idols, false gods that should be destroyed. I didn't like it. He stepped all over my toes.
 |
| Wall from Jeroboam's time |
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| This is the remains of the actual altar that Jeroboam set up for idol worship |
 |
| Abraham's Gate, circa 1750 B.C. |
Also at Tel Dan and discovered in 1979 is an old city gate, called the Canaanite Gate or Abraham's Gate that is from the 18th century B.C., the time of Abraham. Yes, that's right. It's the oldest site in Israel. It's called Abraham's Gate because it is thought that Abraham may have entered through this gate to rescue his nephew Lot from the people of Dan.
Ok, so now we've also walked with Abraham. Cool.
Next was Caesarea Phillipi, I'll let Reggie do the talking. It was convicting and I told him to stop it. (sarcasm)
It was another beautiful site in northern Israel. Not much remains to be seen here but remnants of the temples to various gods.
 |
| The temple to Pan was at the base of the bluff. The clear waters flow from Mt. Harmon to form the Jordan River |
Next was lunch. We drove back down to the Sea of Galilee to have a little fish. The locally raised
Next we drove to see the traditional location in John Ch. 21 where Jesus appeared to the disciples for the fourth time after his resurrection (when Jesus told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat to catch fish). Our guide discussed the reasons why this was the likely site and it was logical. The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter is built around the rock where Jesus would have likely prepared their breakfast. An interesting place.
 |
| The rock. Not Peter the rock, just the rock. |
 |
| The church built around the rock and the shoreline |
It's hard to pick a highlight for this day but perhaps it was the boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. It was an opportunity to slow down and relax, to really absorb what I had seen and where I was. Again, Reggie gave a great devotion and then Kim and I sang Master of the Sea, an old Squire Parsons song that could not have possibly been more appropriate.
One night upon the sea
A ship was tossing to and fro
Breakers dashed on ev'ry hand
Angry winds around did blow
All on board were filled with fright
As the mighty billows rolled
Then they called upon the One
Who the winds and waves controlled
When He reaches out His hand
Billows cease at His command
Winds and waves obey His will
When He says to them be still
What Man is this they all did say
That the winds and sea obey
He's the One who sails with me
He's still the Master of the sea
Here is Reggie's devotion minus some funny stuff that Teana did to him. I may post that to facebook later.
Reggie took a video of us singing and posted it to vimeo. However, it's about the same as this one below.
We landed at our hotel and called it a day.
Ok, we ate first, then we went to bed.
Not exactly. Kim went to bed and I stayed up late working on yesterday's blog.
Like right now.
Shalom.
Randy
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