Adventures in Israel: Day 2

Ok, brace yourself! Today we began the day riding on a boat on the Sea of Galilee! The very waters Jesus sailed on, the very waters he calmed, the very waters he walked upon! Somebody pinch me, I think I am dreaming!
We stopped in the middle of the lake (yes it is actually a lake not a sea by the way) and we read the accounts of Jesus walking on the water and Jesus calming the storm! What a thought of Jesus being in control of our circumstances, he can either walk above your circumstances or he can just remove their threat! As I looked down into the deep green water I wondered if Jesus was in this very spot at one time?
Our boat driver actually got a net and cast it into the water! We fished 5 minutes and caught nothing! I don't think he tried hard enough if you ask me.
We came to the place called Gadarenes, the same place Jesus cast the demons out of the man. There we saw a boat that was over 2,000 years old. It is called the "Jesus Boat!"even though it wasn't his boat! It was a boat from around the same time period.
From there we went to the Mount of Beatitudes. This is the spot where it is believed that Jesus stood and taught the multitudes and healed the sick. It's very mountain side people gatheredo to hear the Son of God proclaim the kingdom of God! It was also here that Mike Odonell, the man who gave me this trip, reminded me that God chose me to be here today, out of all the people at General Assembly, God selected me!
I am not worthy of this great blessing, but I am trying to make the most of this adventure!
Next we went down to the shore of Galilee, the spot where it is believed that Jesus actually cooked the fish for his disciples after his resurrection (John 21). I stood in that spot. In the picture I was standing in that spot, the Sea of Galilee is behind me.
Next we journeyed to Capernaum there we saw a synagogue from the 4th century A.D. We also saw Peter's house. The place where Jesus healed Peter's mother in law of a fever.
Our adventure didn't stop there. We then traveled down to the Jordan River and were baptized! This was the highlight of my day today. Baptized in the same river as my Lord! I will never forget this experience. And not only did I get baptized, I also helped in all of the other baptisms. God is so gracious!
After we left the Jordan River, we went to a small store and bought ice cream! Yeah, getting baptized in the Jordan was still better! Shalom!

Pastor Jason