Israel 2010
Read More
Archway and columns at Beth-Shean. These are the ruins of the Roman city that sprung up in this location. The tell of Beth-Shean is still a mound of dirt nearby.
More Roman ruins near Beth-Shean.
Just one of the many doorways.
The seats in the mini-coloseum at Scythopolis.
This was all under dirt not long ago (Scythopolis)
Mark and Jill appreciating the magnitude of the what the archeologists have uncovered at Scythopolis.
The hill in the background is Tell-Beth-Shean where Saul was killed in battle.
Just for fun :)
The rest of us overlooking Scythopolis
The figure head on the column is Dionysius (I think), the Roman god of wine and women. That's why his hair is made of grapes.
Some of the intricate carving ... oh ... and Abraham, of course.
Some Roman tile work in the city. Not sure what it says.
Abraham kissing Dionysius (in jest of course).
"Come, people, come!!!"
An unearthed capitol of one of the many columns in Scythopolis. The columns were actually not straight but have a slight bow to them because the Romans understood perspective and wanted the columns to appear straight to the eye.
They've left many of the columns lying where they found them to illustrate the difficulty of the restoration work.
Pieces of column and of the building floors above the column.
The sea of Galilee
More columns at Scythopolis
Bev capturing the moment at the Mount of the Beatitudes.
John teaching from Matthew 5 on the Mount of Beatitudes
This is it. The Mount of Beatitudes. You can't tell from this but the hillsides create a natural ampitheater.
The farmhouse on the Mount of Beatitudes. Still a humble place for such a world-changing message to be delivered here.
More Scythopolis
Looking into the Scythopolis ampitheater from the side. I believe those are mill-stones on the side there.
Mark and Steve enjoying the lunch at the St. Peter's Fish Restaurant.
Traditional condiments for Falafel lunch.
Pass the grub ... come on come on... we're hungry!!
A baptismal behind the Roman sauna at Scythopolis. The Christians tried to witness and share Christ in the midst of a debauched culture. Here they have brought the message to just inches away (the other side of the wall).
St. Peter's Fish Restaurant (I think the real name is something else, we just called it that).
Marny, Kathryn and Gary enjoying lunch
On the sea of Galilee enjoying a boat-ride and remembering the many times Jesus crossed the sea himself.
Our boat-masters playing to the crowd. They are great guys and I think they are Christians also.
Road-side lesson stop. Was this the place of the demon pig-jump? Maybe
John at the likely place of the demon-possessed man. Possibly the first missionary to the gentiles. All evidence is that he had a very effective ministry.
Diane, Jeanette and Bev on the Sea of Galilee boat-ride.
St. Peter's Fish Restaurant. I just like vibey shots.
The view out the window in Tiberias at sunset facing east across the Sea of Galilee.
Bobbi and Staush at the restaurant.
The boat for the boat-ride.
The "Jesus Boat" which is really just a first century fishing vessel that was discovered in the mud of the sea of Galilee and then recovere and restored. Probably very much like the ones that Peter and friends used.
Some of the many many flowers in Israel. I love all the flowers there.
Bobbi and Staush getting ready to get baptized in the Jordan river. This was probably no where near where Jesus or John did it but, hey, it's still a great feeling to know it is the same river.
