Stay focused

I can hardly believe that it was one week ago that we were heading to LAX to board the airplane to come to Israel. What an awesome experience this has been so far and there are many more wonderful things to experience in this Holy Land.

We started the day by taking a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Tiberius. We sang the American National Anthem and came to tears as I realized how blessed I am as American.

Reflecting on the cruise across the lake was overwhelming as I thought about Jesus and his disciples being on this same Sea of Galilee and then while Jesus was asleep the disciples woke Him to calm the Sea just as Jesus calms our seas of fear.

Jesus always tells us not to fear, yet our own selfishness gets in the way and puts fear into our life when we don't stay focused on Him, that is just one reason why we need our community of believers, to help keep us focused on the Cross. Just as the disciples lost their focus when they were at Sea, Mathew 14:22, we also loose our focus and must continually ask Jesus for forgiveness and get us back on the right path.

After the wonderful teaching from Pastor Doug, Matthew 14:22 and Mark 4:35, we had time to reflect and have personal quiet time. It was so spiritual I could hardly refrain from crying. So insightful.

Ronen, our tour guide, then played the song "Hava NaGila" and everyone danced on this small boat. The circle of friends and camaraderie was exuberayting. Hope the videos show how much fun we had.

On the bus again towards our next stop and it is only 9:30 a.m. Israel time! Beth She'an. The city was built on the river and the Gideon Springs feed the river. Two rivers near the city, Herod ran east to west and the Jordan was not far. The city was very corrupt and the priest became involved in the worldly ways, therefore, they were to busy to make sacrifices to the Lord and most most were led away from the Lord.

Schypopulous was ran by the Romans, very modern for that era. Running water, bathrooms, centrally located, great for trade routes, level ground for travel, there were no mountains to cross. Nearby cities, Beth She'an, Tiberius, and Nazareth, was usually within a day's journey approx 25 mile walk.

One of the largest bathhouses in the world was built in this city which also included the largest steam room in the world and few women were allowed to enter. You had to be a Roman citizen to enter the bathhouse. The entertainment center is where the Romans focused on their body and themselves whereas the Jews focused on gathering to a socialized community. Bathrooms are where community socializing happened in which they shared "cheek to cheek" while sitting on marble.

An earthquake destroyed the city in 749 AD, and then a war between the Romans and the Muslins began which continued for a year. There was no rebuilding until 1949.

Onward to Mount Gilboa - Gan Hashelosha (Sakhne) Nature Reserve was our next stop.

Rich gave us some scripture to reflect on, Judges 6:11-31 and 1 Samuel 31. Always be aware of who you are entertaining as you may be entertaining an Angel of the Lord. You should always be abiding in the Lord. Gideon tested the Lord - how do you test the Lord? God always fulfills all his promises. Instead of falling away from the Lord we should be falling down before the Lord. Don't let the "stuff" of this world take you away from the Lord.

After reflection we had a wonderful lunch of Kosher hotdogs prepared by our awesome driver, Mayer and Ronen our fabulous tour guide. Cooked on the spot just for us. Then to the swimming hole for an hour of relaxation.

After an hour of relaxing in the water we visited Olea Essence - Capernaum Vista Farms - Olive Oil Culture. They had wonderful olive oil to purchase and excellent cosmetics made from all parts of the olive. Great tasting of different types of olive oil with different herbs.

Off to dinner and then down for the night. A very long and eventful day. This trip to Israel has been a tremendous and very spiritual experience that I am so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to enjoy.

Blessings to all.
Debbie Kane