Of hippos and dromes

Hippodrome in Caesarea

(Mediterranean Sea in the background)

This is a sure mark of Roman influence on Israel.  The hippodrome provided entertainment for the masses.  Chariots were oftentimes raced in these facilities.  There was a lot of stadium style seating available as well.  The Christians utilized this facility as a sanctuary. 

Contrary to the beliefs of many...hippos did not roam in the hippodrome (nor did hippies...man).

 

Pool time

Herod the (not so) Great's pool on the

Mediterranean Sea in Caesarea (Caesarea Maritima)

 

The rectangular pool in this picture (before the time of Herod the (not so) Great) was the singular Harbor for Palestine.  Herod the (not so) Great turned it into a pool for his palace and created one of the largest man-made harbors in all of the world circa 25 B.C. 

While this is a most amazing feat...you can see how useful this harbor is today by how many ships are docked here.  Yet the King that he sought to kill (holocaust of the Innocents-Matthew 2:16-18) remains enthroned not only in the Kingdom of heaven, but in the hearts and lives of His people to this very day.

A note to all pastors...

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."

 

- II Timothy 2:23-26

Pure Waterfall

American Falls

 

Exquisite!

Mt. Beattitudes

Mt. Beattitudes



one of the crowd...late as usual

This Sunday's Gospel reading is from

Matthew 5.

"Blessed...blessed...blessed...blessed...blessed

...blessed...blessed...blessed...blessed."

 

When we hear the Word of God we sit at the feet of the Master. 

 

Sit in that field below and hear the Word made Flesh remind you of how blessed you are (Rms. 5:8). 

 

For all the saints who fall asleep in Jesus are truly blessed!

A-Vocado Artistry II

Jericadoes menos de colores

 

Nothing could be finer than some Jericadoes menos de colores!

A quote

"Faith is not even worthy of the name until it erupts into action."

-Catherine Marshall 



A-vocado Artistry

Jericadoes
 

I purchased these two lovely avocadoes (yes it is "es" I looked it up) while at a tourist market in Jericho, Israel.  Alas, they looked better than they tasted.  They needed time to ripen, but customs does not look kindly upon Jericadoes.  So as I always say, "If you can't eat it you might as well take a picture of it."



The Hogan Project

No it isn't a cake...it's a hogan!

Katie had a project for school.  She was responsible for creating a hogan.  Well dad got pegged to be the great helper.  Not only is he "killer of all bugs in the house" and "taker out of trash", but he is also the "school project puter togetherer." 

So here it is. 

We cut a bunch of sticks off of some fallen branches and did our best to replicate a true Navajo hogan made from real Missouri clay.  Of course we procrastinated...since dad was involved.  So the night before heading off to Israel Katie and I put this Grade A hogan together. 

Grade A because that is what Katie received.  Great work K-K!!!! :)