Everyday Living

Walking Where He Walked

~ Faith, Travel

Traveling to the Holy Land fulfilled a life-long dream for Butch and me.  It made the Bible “come alive”…just to see the places we had read about and studied since childhood!  With our celebration of Christ’s resurrection only a few weeks away, we thought it a great idea to share with you, our readers, the land where Jesus walked!  Hope you enjoy!

Our first stop was the ruins of Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea located midway between Tel Aviv and Haifa. It is often referred to as Caesarea Maritima, to distinguish it from Caesarea Philippi near the Jordan River

Caesarea is the site of one of the most important cities in the Roman World, the Roman capital of the province of Judea at the time of Jesus.  It was an important center of early Christianity. The Apostle Paul was imprisoned here before being sent to Rome for trial.

(Acts 25 :1-27)

Caesarea was named in honor of Caesar Augustus by Herod the Great more than 2000 years ago!

Called the Mount of Beatitudes!  Tranquil gardens provide a good vantage point to view the Sea of Galilee.  This  hilltop is the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) which contains a passage known as The Beatitudes!

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you”
(‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭1-12‬)

The Sea of Galilee is fed by the Jordan River and is 13 miles long and 7 miles wide.
It is considered the “cradle of the gospel”. The sea is associated with the public ministry of Jesus.
He chose fishermen from this sea to be his disciples and and sent them out to be “fishers of men” -Peter, Andrew, James and John

(Luke 5:1-11)

A lunch of Saint Peter’s fish that live in the Sea of Galilee.
The name comes from Matthew’s gospel account of Peter catching a fish that carried a coin in its mouth.

“However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself”
(‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭27‬)

Imagine Jesus stilling the tempest of this sea, saying to the storm that swept over it…

“Peace be Still”
(Matt 8:23-27, Mark 4:34-41)

The Jordan River rises on the slopes of Mount Hermon, on the Syrian-Lebanese border, flows through northern Israel to the Sea of Galilee and empties into The Dead Sea!  As you can see, this photo was taken in a tourist spot where people can be baptized in the Jordan!

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John,
to be baptized by him”
(‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬)

Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River and Christians from all over the world come here to be baptized!  Butch and I both had planned to be re-baptized, but when I saw the fish and river rats, I reneged!!

Jesus made Capernaum his home during the years of his ministry. The city was located on the Sea of Galilee!

And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
(‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭13-14‬)

The darker foundation is the remains of the early Roman synagogue, from the times of Jesus, built with the local (black) basalt rock.  The earlier synagogue was the center of Jesus activities, where He taught.

Overlooking the village of Cana where Jesus performed the miracle at the wedding in Cana

(John 2:1-11)

Megiddo, also known as Armageddon, is an important ancient town that overlooks the Valley of Jezreel. Archaeologists have unearthed an incredible 25 layers of settlement built on top of each other!

Megiddo’s long history is related to its strategic location on one of the main routes used for travel between Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia.

The city is referred to in the New Testament as Armageddon, a name derived from the Hebrew for Mount Megiddo, Har Megiddo. But, many Biblical scholars disagree!

“And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon”
(‭Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭16‬)

Overlooking the spacious Jezreel Valley with Mount Tabor in the distance.  The fertile alluvial soil makes it Israel’s breadbasket!

“…and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand.
And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying,
“Hail, King of the Jews!” 
(‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭29‬)

Beit Shean was a major Biblical city located in the center of trade routes.  The mighty Canaanite city was not conquered by the Israelites.

“Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and its villages,…”
(‭Judges‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬)

King Saul’s body was displayed on its walls after his defeat by the Philistines.

“They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan”
(‭1 Samuel‬ ‭31‬:‭10‬)

The theater was built in the first century AD. The structure seen today was the end of the second century.  The theater contained 7000 seats.  The acoustics are amazing and Butch and I had the privilege to sing!

A major earthquake leveled the city in 749 AD!

Stay tuned as we journey into the old town of Jerusalem…coming soon!

Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Silver Pennies ,Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Rustic-Refined, Pink When, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict,Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Craftberry Bush, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Womens Bloggers

Perhaps Love

~ Faith

 “We love because he first loved us”
‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭19

“Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home

Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself and don’t know what to do
The memory of love will see you through”
-John Denver

John wrote and sang a beautiful song that speaks somewhat to the human condition when it comes to this thing called love.  In our humanness we must constantly work on loving and being loved..it isn’t automatic.  I’ve heard a lot about “love at first sight”.  Even so, it’s not “boom, got ‘er done.”  Only Christ, on a cross, in that moment of love’s greatest expression and demonstration can proclaim “It is Finished”.  (John 19:30)

I’ve heard it said that people don’t really “fall in love”.  Those holding this view usually insist that love is really a choice we make.  We choose to love-period!  Plus nothing, minus nothing.  I personally believe that both falling and choosing are true. They are intertwined and together encompass “being in love”.

Pam and I will celebrate our 42nd anniversary this month, and we’ve known each other almost 45 years.  It is fact that when it comes to this “love” business that we both have made thousands of choices.  Choices that focus on our love for each other over the course of many years.  And those choices are what nourishes our love and causes it to continue to grow.

But I do remember and still cherish those memories of the first sight, the first date, the conversations and the getting to know each other.  Going places together, laughing, listening to our favorite songs, and just having fun. Then this indescribable, exciting, nervous, giddy feeling started slowly coming over me at certain times and special moments.  The frequency increased and one day I realized through all of this…“I’ve been falling…and I like it!”  Once I knew I was “falling”,   I started “choosing”, and also praying that Pam was “falling”.

If you want to accept love being 100% choosing, then that is absolutely fine.  Just don’t attempt to take away my falling-it’s too sweet and too real!  It’s not possible to pinpoint an exact time it happened, therefore it is a process.  Hence, falling-present tense; not fell-past tense.
Still ongoing!

Don’t let love die!  Water it with “falling”to keep it alive…vibrant and fresh.  Nourish it with “choosing” to give strength and allow new growth.

Best of all-God loves all of us and demonstrated His love through Christ while we were unlovely and unloveable.  A choice, yes!  God doesn’t need us, per se.  He is complete, lacking nothing.  So, our love for him adds nothing to him, and our lack of love for him takes nothing away from him.  But he chose and chooses to set his affections upon us, regardless.  He chooses to dwell with us and in us.  And that is love, because God is love.  He just is.

A line in a chorus I wrote a long time ago says
“I wish I could love Him as much as He loves me; Jesus Christ is everything I need”

per

 Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Creatively Living, Rustic-Refined, Three Mango Seeds, Pink When, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict,Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Craftberry Bush, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, The Vintage Farmhouse,  My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, Alabama Women Bloggers

Lessons From A Vineyard

~ Faith

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing”
John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬

Last Sunday, I was blessed to be both engaged and challenged by very solid teaching/discussion centered around the words of Jesus as found in scripture in John 15. The vineyard, the fruit, the vine, the vinedresser, and “abiding”.  While I certainly encourage you to check out this chapter, that is not my main purpose for mentioning it.

The time spent in this chapter triggered my memory of an encounter that Pam and I had a few months back while visiting a vineyard.  I suppose the proper term would be winery.  It was in Texas, but had the look and feel of Tuscany.  We had to stop for a visit.

We browsed through the large display area and store where there were a lot of interesting items for sale, as well as wine tasting, tours, and of course wine to purchase.  A young woman (young to me at least) that was a store clerk asked if she could help with anything.  We shared that we were just looking around and commented on the grounds and vineyards.  Pam, our question asker extraordinaire, needed info on the place, of course.  It so happened that we were the only customers inside at the time and the three of us began talking.  It is to the young lady’s story that my memory drifted as I sat under this teaching on Sunday and that I will make a feeble effort to relate.  It’s a story worth repeating.  I wish her exact words were recorded but even then the heartfelt manner in which she spoke and her countenance cannot be duplicated on the written page.  Not by me anyway!

But here goes-in short form.  We first asked one of those common conversation openers-“did you grow up here in Texas?”  The reply was “no”. But apparently, sensing like mindedness and a kindred spirit, she elaborated.  She and her husband had moved from another state and had not been in Texas that long.  He had served in ministry at their previous location.  It was evident that they had experienced some difficult times.  We wanted no details, only tried to encourage.  However, what she shared next took the “encouragement ball” out of our court and placed it in hers.

She needed to work when they moved to Texas.  She had not worked at a winery but was appreciative of the opportunity to work in the shop and learn about the business.  Unusual weather conditions prompted the winery to call her and all available employees and ask them to be at work very early to pick grapes.

Admittedly, this was disturbing as she had not been hired to pick grapes and knew nothing about this tedious task.

Struggling with that attitude, she found herself in the vineyard anyway. What took place in her heart that day-out there with all those grapes-reveals how God wants to speak to us during our everyday living-if we will pay attention.  She said it something like this; I discovered that the grapes that were woven tightly and found closest to the vine were the hardest to pull away.  Those that wrapped themselves around the vine, clinging in an abiding fashion were not easily dislodged.  These were also the sweetest and best.  And in that moment, standing in a beautiful vineyard, those words in the Bible that I had heard and read many times really came alive for the first time!

Her words were much better and our conversation was much longer.  It was one of those special times that comes along when we need it most.  God works that way. With an OK from her co-workers, she invited Pam and me to come outside and walk with her through the nearby vineyard where she pointed out and demonstrated to us exactly what she had told us inside.  We looked closely at grapes abiding in the vine-good fruit!  The picture was so clear as we stood there.  Her attitude and heart were changed that day while picking grapes.  She seemed to be “abiding” now.  She could not sidestep and circle around life’s troubles but now had grace to go through them.  Her heart was changed one day in that vineyard, and so was ours.

” As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in my love”
John 15:9

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser”
John‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬

 Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Creatively Living, Rustic-Refined, Three Mango Seeds, Pink When, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict,Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Craftberry Bush, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, The Vintage Farmhouse,  My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, Alabama Women Bloggers