During the middle of July we spent 10 days on the shore of Galilee. It was a beautiful experience full of reflection, pondering and adventure. Like most of my posts, this will primarily be photos with a brief explanation, but I would like to start it with a poem that I wrote one afternoon while sitting overlooking the Sea:
Galilee Tree
Beneath a tree in
Galilee, a place that now is new to me
I feel the gentle
waves and wind ring gently through my ears
The grass is green
and smooth to touch, the rocks are rough and injure much
But cool calm waters
still my heart and senses now align
I think of Him whom
Galilee, a place He loved so much to be
Calmed hearts and
waters seemingly with cool and peaceful words
A rock knelt in Gethsemane
a green hill known as Calvary
a place where all who
bound set free do feel my heart to touch
A feel the seed
inside of me swell and grow and beckon me
Ever now awakened of
what I am to be
The toll is paid the
path’s been set my course is clearer now
From strengths we
start our building stones a sure foundation known
Then slowly as I walk
along I notice and address
The weakness, falls and daily sins that once did
stir distress
Perspective now
illuminates the meaning of the tree
You see the tree that
now shades me was planted long ago
Fertilized with sweat
that fell as if were drops of blood
Nourished, trimmed
and purified though billows, winds and howls
And back then who
could ever known the man I’m meant to be
Only He, the gardener, who plants and grows His
trees
Overlooking the Sea for the first time.
This was my view from Capernum, a place where Jesus taught often.
The beautiful Mount of Beatitudes.
The Boat of Ginosar. This recent find is the remains of a 1st century fishing boat, much like the ones the apostles would have used. I was so excited!
On the Sea of Galilee with friends!
The Jordan River at Yardenit, one of the places where people traditionally believe Christ was baptized. The fish loved to nibble on our toes.
Who's ready for the end of the world? This is us overlooking the valley of Armageddon on top of the tel of Megiddo.
St. Peter's Primacy. Along the shore line where the Savior called his disciples from the boat and asked "Lovest thou me? Feed my sheep"
Casearea Phillipi- Upon this rock will I build my Church...
Nimrod's Castle, not mentioned in the Bible, but SO cool
I'm sitting on top of the beam of a house. In my hand is a mote
Here's a close up on the mote, it truly is a speck compared to the beam. What a cool opportunity for me to now be able to visualize this teaching.
The Sea of Galilee at Sunset. One of my favorite times of day.
I realize that these pictures are only part of my experience in Galilee, but I wanted to share a little bit of it with you. I hope you enjoy. I will have to do a more in-depth review of my trip once I get home. Perhaps I will make homemade falafel and pita and those of you who are interested can come over one Sunday and we can have a more in-depth review.
SHALOM!
