Down By The Sea

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Trip Start May 13, 2006 Previous
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  Caesarea, Israel
Saturday, May 27, 2006

It was an early start at 6a this morning after a late night for Jerusalem Day. We are heading toward Galilee for this three night trip. Our first stop is Aphek. This is the city where the Israelites lost the Ark to the Philistines (1 Sam 4-6). The story is that the Israelites were opposed by the Philistines and in order to win the battle they thought they would bring the Ark down from Shiloh for the battle. It was their magic bullet. They put their trust in an object to win and they lost. How many times do I try and 'use' God to try to get what I want? "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked..." Galatians 6:7

Next we are off to Caesarea (Maritima) on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Wow! Nice place to build a palace Harod! Bath houses, theater, hippodrome (chariot racing) and water front property - this place must have been nice. In AD 6 Caesarea became the seat of the Roman governors. It became the capital of Judea after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 and was taken and retaken many times over the course of the next millennium. We even visited the ancient aqueduct that brought fresh water into Caesarea.

Caesarea is a beautiful place. This is by far my favorite place we have stopped. Note all the pictures. I love the Sea and this place captures that feeling for me. As I stepped into the sea I could have stayed here for the rest of the trip. Although it was a bit empty without Kristen and the girls. I saw kids playing and couples walking....sniff...sniff...I miss my bride.

From here we were on to Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 17-18). This is one of my favorite Old Testament stories. Here is a guy outnumbered and puts it all out on the line - this guy had faith. I wish I had a fraction of that kind of faith.

Finally we stopped at Megiddo which is known by a more famous name - Armageddon. We didn't get to stay as the place was closing early - the Sabbath begins at sunset tonight.

We are staying at St. Gabriel's Hotel on the hill overlooking Nazareth. As you probably know Nazareth is the childhood home of Jesus. The rooms are sparse - but they have the internet - go figure. I think there is a fan in my room. Well I better go to bed, another early day tomorrow.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

Beach Flower	Elijah	Heavy	Hey Doggie
Nazareth	Ruin Flowers	Sea and Me	Shells

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