One day Jesus and his followers got into a boat,
and he said to them, “Let’s go across the lake.” And so
they started across. While they were sailing, Jesus
fell asleep. A very strong wind blew up on the lake,
causing the boat to fill with water, and they
were in danger. The followers went to Jesus and woke
him saying, “Master! Master! We will drown!”
Jesus got up and gave a command to the wind and the waves.
They stopped, and it became calm. Jesus said to his
followers, “Where is your faith?”
The followers were afraid and amazed and said
to each other, “Who is this that commands even
the wind and the water, and they obey him?”
Luke 8:22-25, NCV
{sunrise over the Sea of Galilee}
So. I really, really, really don’t know how to express the emotion in this trip. It may, or may not be what you’re expecting to hear from me.
First off, I felt such a spiritual warfare surrounding this trip. I’ve been overwhelmed like I {feel like} I’ve never been overwhelmed before. Or at least not for a very long time. I’ve also been very sick {with my MS symptoms}, and I think that has a lot to do with the overwhelming feelings I’ve been having.
Anyway … and with Wynter having a hard time, Taylor not really wanting to go, and me being overloaded with work and other things to do … I honestly toyed with canceling.
But I knew the blessing that was to come.
We left 5 am Monday morning for 18ish hours of travel. When we landed, we immediately started our tour … 7ish hours of touring. Not great for a body with MS. Oh! and have I mentioned the unseasonably warm weather? 80? no. 90? no. 100+ bingo!
And again, I felt that warfare. When we got here, I seriously toyed with turning around and going home.
But I knew the blessing that was to come.
So … we landed in Israel, collected our bags and boarded the tour bus. We immediately visited the town of Jaffa … as in Jonah and the whale Jaffa. {Book of Jonah}
And then we headed to the outdoor amphitheater in Caesarea {Acts 10}. It was incredible … we had a worship and song time, prayer, devotion. As we were singing “How Great Thou Art,” there was another tour group in the amphitheater and a woman started singing the chorus … in a different language! and dancing and worshiping. It made me happy. It made me smile. But I’m not sure it made me closer to God.
And then we saw a film about the area when Jesus would’ve been there, and again it made me happy and it made me smile, but I wasn’t sure I felt any closer to God.
So … what of this blessing I was so sure was coming? I must just be jet-lagged.
We finally made it to the hotel and I slept a bit. Then dinner. And bed for the night.
Up bright and early the next morning for a full day of touring. First up, Mount Carmel where Elijah killed the prophets of Baal. {1 Kings 18}. It was beautiful on that mountain. One of the pastors {our head pastor’s son} read from scripture. The garden was beautiful. The countryside gorgeous.
But I wasn’t feeling the blessing. Only the heat.
Next we headed to Megiddo. Among these ruins are remains from King Solomon’s time, including what were believed to be his stables! Not to mention, this is an incredible place for any believing-born-again-Christian! We believe scripture tells us in Revelation 16:14 & 16 that the last great battle of Armageddon will be fought in this valley. So looking at this site should be sending shivers down my spine, right? Nope. Just sweat.
Ah … surely I’ll be “feeling it” at our next stop … Nazareth! Luke 4:16 says, “Jesus traveled to Nazareth …” Jesus grew up in Nazareth. If I don’t feel His presence there, would I ever feel it?!
It was truly incredible. Incredible to see this place and envision what He might have seen and how He lived. But did I feel “it?” … no. That sounds so harsh … but it’s honest.
I can say this … as we were driving in the bus, in the distance we saw Mount Tabor {Judges 4:14-15} also believed to be the Mount of Transfiguration. I know you can’t see the tears in my eyes as I type this, but I think you can guess where this is heading?
I’m starting to feel Him. It’s becoming real. Alive.
And then we went to the town of Cana in Galilee. Where Jesus performed His first miracle. The God of miracles. And we visited the site of the first Jesus performed. John 2:1-11
{Are you following along in scripture? If not, you should … there just may be a blessing in it for you!}
I don’t know … for some reason, this visit started softening my heart. The “heat” started to fade. It was a miraculous feeling thinking about all those years ago.
And then this morning, I woke up with tan lines on the tops of my feet from my sandals. Funny thought I suppose … but I immediately thought of Jesus and what the tops of His feet must’ve looked like. And then this song popped into my head! Fo’ realz!
Anyway, after breakfast, we started our journey on the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount {Matthew 5-7}. We all gathered together at the top and after devotion pastor asked if anyone had any testimonies to share of their trip so far. I suddenly felt empty. Like I should have some big epiphany to share. Instead I came up empty.
Then someone stood and said they were up early and saw the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee, when they realized … even though time may have changed things … the land, the buildings … that’s the same sun, the same water, the same mountains that Jesus saw and lived.
Let that sink in.
When we left there, we headed to Tabgha … this is the place where Jesus fed five thousand {Mark 6:30-44}. It was amazing. Peaceful. Incredible. Beautiful. Awesome.
And then we went to Capernaum … which was the base for Jesus’ Galilean ministry. {Mark 1:21}
Amazing.
And then we viewed a boat that was found in 1986, buried in the Sea of Galilee. There was a drought that year, so the water level was low. Out on a walk, someone discovered ancient looking nails … only to discover a boat from the time of Christ.
From there, we took a boat out onto the Sea of Galilee. We stopped the boat in the middle of the Sea for some scripture reading {the passage at the top of this post}, and a time of song and worship. The boat started up again, but we continued to sing. Taylor had her head on my shoulder, singing the high chord, while I was singing the low.
At that moment, “Be still, and know that I am God” … that was my whisper from Him. It’s something that I need in my life. Something He’s been trying to tell me … not just to be still {less busy and overwhelmed}, but to be still in Him. To soak in His presence. To just spend time with Him.
Our boat ride took us completely across the Sea of Galilee, where we had a fish lunch {Taylor chose the pasta}. And after lunch, we took a short bus ride to the Jordan River where …
Taylor and I got baptized! I was so overwhelmed with emotion. An incredible, unforgettable memory … as my mom stood watching her daughter and granddaughter being baptized one after the other. Talk about overcome with emotion!
Jesus was baptized in the same Jordan River {Mark 1:9-11} …
The blessing … it’s coming!
More vacation photos here, here, and here.
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Oh, Tracie . . . my heart is so full for you!! I’m so glad you have been able to find the stillness within you to experience this experience to it’s fullest. So beautiful!!
just amazing!!!! thank you for sharing your heart with all of us…and these gorgeous images (visual & spiritual) of your journey.
Truly amazing Tracie. Thank you for sharing your experiences and these beautiful pictures. Powerful isn’t it?
tracie, i haven’t the words really to do justice what is in my heart. tears are streaming as i type this. the spirit is so strong. i’ve loved hearing your experience. i too want to see all these places someday, but i’m a firm believer in the fact that they are places and not Him. they witnessed His mighty miracles, however they are not Him. your moment when the still small voice whispered to your heart “be still and know that I am God”….oh my, i have to say i lost it at that point, truly. that is my scripture. one that i cling to regularly. with all the commotion in society and on earth alone, i need that scripture. but even in the commotion and calamities daily in my family, that scripture is my refuge for He is my refuge! i love you so much, i wish you could know and could feel my arms around you. considering all you’ve born physically, and overcome….wow to be there, and to have that moment with Him, and then with Taylor, and then in the river Jordan. i’m so happy for you! can’t wait to hear more. ::hugs::
not to steal up too much of your space or time, but when i closed your tab after my first comment, i felt so strongly that i needed to share one of my favorite hymns. it is so powerful and beautifully captures what i’m feeling right now, thanks to your testimony:
“i stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully He profers me.
I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,
That for me a sinner, he suffered, He bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine
to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
that He should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
i think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
such mercy, such love and devotion can i forget?
No, no I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
until at the glorified throne i kneel at His feet.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!”
love you gals!
::double-hugs::
So wonderful…what a fantastic memory – being baptized in the Jordan with your daughter – amazing!!!
It really is amazing that we can share your journey with you via the internet to see things we most likely will never see and to hear your emotion as you type the words…truly awesome….hope you feel better~
Hi Traci! I havent been on here in forever, and I thought I would stop by to see what your up to…Your right…Reading about your trip was the blessing I needed and the reminder that He never changes…Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever…To God be the Glory!! Bless you sister…
Wow! So powerful to hear you speak so openly about your time there. The little moments of grace and that you were able to find the stillness and peace within. A beautiful journey, spiritually and otherwise. :) Enjoy this time together…
truly touching and special beyond words, the picture of you & tay speaks volumes!!
thanks for sharing the beautiful pics <3
No words. Just joy!
I’ve got tears in my eyes! How wondrous!
I love this. I just sat here for several minutes, soaking in the real of Jesus as I read your post. Thank you, Tracie.