Our Israel Trip continued

Continuing with more videos of our Israel trip below.

Up in the Golan Heights, near the Lebanon and Syria borders.

The water looked so fresh and clean and reminded me a bit of Jesus’ inviting words to the Samaritan woman, as he describes himself to her as “living water….The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (Jn 4:7ff)

Our guide at Katzrin Park was most hospitable and informative, showing us, among other things the process of making olive oil in ancient times.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sea

Sea. What kind of emotions does the sea or ocean make you feel? Do you remember the first time you went in the water? Had a wave crash on you? Felt the sand burn your feet? Do you feel more peaceful around water? Do you hate the beach? What’s the most interesting thing about the sea for you?

Pacific Ocean

When I think of the sea or ocean, I am reminded of God creating them, and God’s Spirit [the Hebrew word can also refer to God’s wind or breath] “swept over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) So I think of God’s immense, creative powers to fill these huge bodies of water with mystery and a beautiful array of life-forms. I also think of the vastness of these seas and oceans, and that reminds me of infinity, and eternity, life without end, life transcending time, which again is a gift from God and alludes to God’s creativity and love. When I think of the sea or ocean, I also think of two amazing works of Western literature: Mock Dick by the 19th century writer, Herman Melville, and his Captain Ahab, who was obsessed with chasing old Moby Dick, a huge sperm whale. The tale introduces a lot of themes, including interfaith relations, the meaning of life or life-quest for meaning, good and evil, God and humankind, and humankind’s place in the universe, etc.  The second work, of course, is Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s epic poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” which again addresses themes such as high adventure on the sea, and humankind’s place in creation, as well as the beauty of creation, which the Mariner finally realises and the curses of his dead sailors are lifted, and the albatross falls off from around his neck into the water. My favourite lines in the poem are: “Water, water, every where,/And all the boards did shrink;/Water, water, every where,/Nor any drop to drink.”

Sea Shell

Another Sea Shell

These sea shells were photographed on Vancouver Island, one of our favourite places to vacation in Canada, with many wonderful sandy beaches. They remind me not only of the beauty of God’s creation, but also of the fun child’s word game: “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.” Don’t you remember trying to compete with other family or friends by seeing who could speak these words the fastest, without making a mistake? 🙂  Thanks for visiting, and please visit the other entries here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fresh

Fruit and water

Fresh fruit and a glass of water on a hot summer’s day. Check out the other entries here.