By Water and the Spirit

What a day it has been. Historical, archeological sites were the order of day. However, we started in song and thanksgiving. Mischi, our guide, says most Methodist groups only rate about a c+ in the singing department; we tried to improve his impression this morning with a rousing rendition of "This is the Day" but I'm afraid it was to no avail.

Zippori, a city which served as the capital of the Galilee district was first on our list this morning. Close to Nazareth, some believe that Jesus may have visited this city during his boyhood years. Stonecutters would have found much work in this growing city during Jesus' time and this fact suggests that Joseph might have found work here. Today, archeologists have uncovered a Jewish residential quaters, a synagoge and beautiful mosiac floors from these ancient times.

The discoveries in Beth Shean, one the oldest cities in the Holy Land, include a theater, amphitheater, an enormous bath-house that is indescribable and wide streets that are adorned with beautifully detailed mosiac sidewalks. We howled with laughter when we discovered that the marble seats sticking out from the side of a wall were where one would sit (half on one seat and half on the other) when, well you know, when being in a bath house was what you needed to do. We also walked down the corridor maximus which was flanked by mosaic sidewalks lavishly decorated with larger than life depictions of zebras and other exotic animals. Fascinating to discover that thousands of years ago life was not too terrible different from today...shopping, theater, even banking!

Our visit to the river Jordan, was truly the most special moment of the day. We gathered together by the banks of the Jordan to remember and reflect as we took part in a baptismal renewal service. Water and Spirit are an integral part of our faith and our hope. God continues to bring life giving water to nourish our parched lives and promises us the gift of the Holy Spirit to renew our souls. Water and the spirit were given to each of us this day...and we are thankful!