Saturday, December 20, 2008

Caesarea Re-visited and Tanks on the Golan

On our weekend CFI outing in late November, our first stop was at Caesarea. Today Caesarea is an exclusive little town on the Mediterranean Sea just south of Haifa. This was my 3rd visit this year. Two thousand years ago, Caesarea was officially the first place where the Good News of the Lord Jesus the Messiah was extended to the Gentiles when Peter met the Roman Centurion. And the following day they entered Caesarea... Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:24-35.

Saul (Paul) sailed from Caesarea to Tarsus when he was being persecuted. Caesarea was a port city and Paul would go through Caesarea several times on his journeys. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Acts 9:29-30.

He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea; Job 9:8

The LORD on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:4.

A view of the Mediterranean from ancient Caesarea.

The Roman amphitheater at Caesarea is still used today for concerts.

Frank, a co-volunteer from Australia, displayed his singing ability at the amphitheater with a little Italian Opera.

Ancient Caesarea where Paul preached the gospel faithfully before King Agrippa before being sent to Rome. And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. Acts 25:13... Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26:28.

“All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. Isaiah 40:6.

An ancient mosque in Caesarea. Caesarea's history includes being ruled by the Romans, the Byzantines, the Crusaders, and the Moslems.

"His Eye is on the Sparrow" is one of my favorite hymns. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31.

One of the walls of ancient Caesarea.

Along one of the walkways from the Hippodrome where chariot races were held.

It rained most of the day Saturday but we enjoyed a very good lunch near the Lebanon Border. After lunch, I had an opportunity to take some photos around the log cabin restaurant.

Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. Deuteronomy 32:2.

Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew? Job 38:28.

The fig tree puts forth her green figs ... Song of Solomon 2:13.

Late Saturday afternoon, we were headed up the Golan Heights. These clouds looked they were on the ground. Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy? Job 36:29

Sunday morning we had the privilege of taking some "care packages" to an IDF Tank Unit on the Golan Heights. The care packages consisted of warm fleece neck scarfs and gloves for the cold winter near the Syrian border. This is the same tank battalion that held the ground against overwhelming odds when Syria attacked in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

These young men train everyday and are very well prepared. “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. Ezekiel 38:7.

Young soldiers listening intently. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. Exodus 18:19.

There's always time for a call from a loved one.

We stayed at Kibbutz Ein Gev on the Sea of Galilee. We shared our rooms with dozens of barn swallows looking for a little sleep in dry conditions. Kay and I used to have barn swallows build a nest every year on our back porch.

A date palm tree at Kibbutz Ein Gev.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Great post, I am almost 100% in agreement with you