2-7-2012 Jerusalem, Jerusalem

Dome of St Katherine over Old Jerusalem

I'm not sure how to take this all in Lord. The city is beautiful, the geography amazing. The sites, the smells, the sounds - even saying, "it's beyond my dreams" doesn't do it justice.

Dome in the Church of Gethsemane

Mark and Patti at the Eastern Gate

So why am I having problems letting go of yesterday - our last day in Galilee? Why am I of two minds, longing for more time to witness the land where You lived and ministered, vs. this place that crucified You? Yes, I know, there is the resurrection and certainly I'm longing to experience the empty tomb (still on the agenda), but there's (dare I say it...) a taint on this place.

I love what I'm seeing, I'm amazed at the history, yet...I find myself unsettled. Jeruselum is more of a mosaleum than a city of light. Is that why You wept for this place? Is my spirit doing the same?

I have to turn the page...give me wisdom, Teacher...

...Oh yes, I remember. There will be a NEW Jerusalem! Of couse. Even the City on the Hill needs to be reborn by Your love. And it will be so. That I can live with. That I can handle and so, marvel at what has, and will take place here.

A Floral Moment

Hosanna Messiah.

Mark C.

2-6-2012 Awespiration

Heart Shaped Rock at the Sea of Galilee

Master, I think I have to be careful, describing this day and these events in a conversation share not only with You, but with others who have not touched this land. I remember how the geography and political/social issues of those "Biblical" days made no sense to me as I only had a Western point of reference.

All that's changed of course, but now Your are inspiring me...Awespiring is a better term...to find new ways to describe how the land and the people of Your earthly walk are critically connected to us today. It stands to reason after all. I didn't (until now) realize that the ancient town of Tiberias (located right on the shores of The Sea of Galilee) was famous in Your time, for mineral waters that supposedly had healing powers. People came from all over the ancient world to seek their benefits – Light-bulb moment - NO WONDER, there were so many sick people for You to heal in that three year period!

Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee

And now I've just gotten the picture in my head (having visited today) how significant a town Capernaum was. I always pictured it as a tiny burg with fishing nets strung all around - but it was a large town with influence. You lived and associated there - what a place to begin Your ministry.

Of course being here also raises more questions, such as what else You discussed with Your followers while walking the long distances between towns You were know to visit?  Is it like Your talks with me in prayer? I confess I'm a little envious of the "personal time" You put in with these folks. Then again, what's stopping those same personal moments between You and me now? Could I be the one getting in the way? Am I too lazy or too distracted by other things I "need" to do?

Boat Dock on Eastern Shore of Sea of Galilee

Maybe I need a little fishing time with You, time when You can speak to me captively and I have now other options. I pray for that Lord, and yes, I know it's a downright dangerous prayer.

Well, there will be plenty of time in the next few weeks. We have left the Galilee (weeping) and are now in thick of things, right in the heart of Jerusalem. Teacher, I am ready to focus and be consumed by the wonder of Your plan. Help me to be a light to others that they too can be changed by this journey You have gifted to me.

Mark and Patti on the shore at Chapel of the Primacy 

Let me be capable,

Mark C.

2-5-2012 The Perfect Blog Site

2-5-2012 The Perfect Blog Site

Sunset on the Sea of Galilee

I just need a moment, Messiah, to get my feeble brain wrapped around this moment... I am sitting in a chair, in the green grass, hardly a sound invading. I am typing on a laptop...on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee just before sunset. Surely this must be a dream. It cannot possibly be reality. 

Sunset continues on the Sea of Galille

But it sure feels real. I can smell the water on the breeze. I am surrounded by the hills. In the distance, across the shore, I see modern day Tiberious. A little to the north, there it is, Chorazin. A small boat goes by - is that You and Your first disciples? Waves gently lap the image to shore. I can't really be here

Sunset fades on the Sea of Galilee

Yet I am! By Your divine providence, I have come to this place. Not only that, this morning You brought me and Patti to the actual site of Chorazin and we experienced the ancient village ruins with it's beautiful synagogue and insulas. But most of all, we took in the spiritual moment - reading passages from Matthew 23 and 15, absorbing your instruction about how to follow You, not the world. Did I mention I read these words on the very sight where You instructed in person...overlooking the Sea of Galilee?

Synagoge at Korazim

It's a good thing I'm sitting down. Give me strength not to be overwhelmed by this, Rabbi. Did I mention the birds, the cricket song and frogs, the glittering of the sunlight on the water and the textures of the rustling trees? Even the insects are right and the rushes on the shore are swaying their evening dance. And the rocks by the shore...I actually think I can hear them crying out to You...or maybe that's my spirit. Yes, the latter. What an altar You have prepared for me to worship at. Did I mention this is Jewish Sabbath today? Keep me strong, keep me strong...

   I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?

...from the same God who also showed us the Mount of the Beatitudes where You explained what blessings truly are and how they are to be given in love to others, not just held as some selfish treasure. Caesarea Phillipi today, where You, Lord, once took Your disciples and pointed to the rock face where other cultures had carved elaborate idol representations surrounding the water cave that, at the time, was known as the Gates of Hades/Hell. You reminded me today of Your perfect plan to build Your church, Your people, from the ruins of pagan worship converting/convicting anyone who did not believe - who were dead - to those who will now live forever with You in eternity.

Gardens at Church of the Beatitudes

Did I mention that not only the sun has set, but the moon is now rising? Did I mention that I noticed my new friend, Wanda sitting on the beach and that we shared a prayer? She ministered to me as You would have, reminding me, that as much as we both want to never give up this moment of perfection, that You set the example by walking out of this beautiful place, up to Caesarea Phillipi, eventually to Jerusalem and to Your fate on the cross on our behalf.

And so now I understand Lord. I get this one. You have given me a great gift on these shores, I love this place as You would have, even to the point of getting up and leaving this perfect blog site and going where You would have me go. I must not get wrapped up in the world - even this part of it where You lived. I must learn to wrap the world up in You, loving You as You have loved me.

Thank You for sharing Your earthly life as a preview to a paradise to come.

I am Yours,

Mark C.

2-4-2012 The True Power

Patti at Scythopholis ruins

Started out, Lord, at the site of Scythopolis or Tel Shelan, as You would also know it. An ancient ruin that revealed to me just how ingenious and enterprising the Romans were. This place had it all: Toilets, bath houses, theaters and an elaborate city structure that rivals many metropolitan areas today..

Side of Amphitheater at Scythopholis

But what struck me  most was that , as advanced as it all was then, it's gone now - long abandoned, even thought it stood as a pinnacle of power and a marvel of engineering prowess. I now can see what might happen to New York or Los Angeles or London if the inhabitants just up and left their domiciles. You have taught me, Adonai, that it can...and will happen.

The irony is, I'm learning not to worry about such things - my interest is in hearing where I'm going to "up and go to", not where I am currently staying. I wonder if others are like me - are totally comfortable with their destiny - or if they just "hope" their passage from this earth is a good one?

Amphitheater at Caesarea Maritima

Caesarea Maritima ruins

...Nope, not going to dwell there...we left Scythopolis and headed for the "big water" - that's spelled Mediterranean - and there again, You revealed. Looking at Caesarea Maratima, I see it too was once, one of the great wonders of man. I liken it Lord to present day Dubai, but "Caesarea by the Sea is now rubble. What of what we build can possibly survive? 

Herod The Builder, nor his creations survived. But the writings of a small, noisy Jewish scholar who converted to belief in Jesus Messiah have survived amazingly well. It is Paul's message, and his witness in this place - the story of his total dedication to You - that's what lives on.

Tell Migeddo

And we live on with that message, inspiring us to come and learn from this land. We got back on the bus and trekked to another site of ruin - Tel Megedo - an archeological bonanza which we were privileged to explore, even into its bowels - deep tunnels and artifacts dating back approximately 5-7,000 years. What is this place now? A fascinating, but very dead study. 

Statue of Mark Taking Picture at Tell Migeddo

How did all these places lose their positions of power? Why did those who maintained the walls - wadding, embellishing and improving - how did they, why did they perish? Yet, just a few miles nearby, a rabbi and his disciples – who mainly stuck to walking and talking around the tiny fishing villages within an insignificant farming and fishing region – changed the world forever.

Mater, I asked and You answered me as we visited a valley to the north of Nazareth, just a short walk from the Sea of Galilee. There, in the region of Zebulon, Your spiritual footsteps appeared again. You showed me that You are more likely to be found, not in the grand buildings, structure and organization of man, but instead, while walking on a simple path by a stream, or on a beach, on the road or in a home, worshiping with friends and family. You walked (and walk now in Spirit) there with Your disciples - teaching love, forgiveness and healing. 

   "Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep."

Gospel Trail at Zebulon

   Three times, Peter denied You, three times You forgave.

If only I had only denied You three times.  Maybe my life would be less in ruins. Still, unlike Scythopolis, Caesarea and Tell Megedo, You have rebuilt me, raised me into a new life that will last eternally. Can others possibly see the miracle in that and seek You before they too fall into permanent and unrepairable ruin?

Mark C.

2-3-2012 Another Foretaste

Lord, You have made this day and I rejoice in it...

Hills Overlooking Bethlehem

...A beautiful sunrise over Bethlehem (after the torrential rains of yesterday) sets me up with open eyes for new discoveries. And new discoveries abound!.

First - to visit Jacob's well; the REAL thing, where Abraham, Jacob and You sat and drew refreshment.No, the water isn't holy, nor is the buiding that sits upon the site. But the stones where You sat, to talk with the Samaritan woman, are there. I thought the actual well circumference would be larger, Lord - must be a false image from some TV fiction I've watched. But now that doesn't matter - I've walked where You walked, I've sat where You sat!

Church - site of Jacob's Well

Ancient Shechem with modern Nablus and Mt. Garizim, (Mt. of Blessing)  in background

And then the Valley of Shechem - incredible to see the Mountain of Blessing and the Mountain of Curses. To realize that Jacob's well is RIGHT THERE, surrounded by the mountains - a holy mountain sight actually, not in some barren wilderness, but in a fertile valley. To walk and touch the ruins of ancient Shechem, the first city visited by Abraham, and to envision the history - powerful stuff, Lord. But this was just another foretaste of the feast to come - next stop, Nazareth.

Mike describing the view of history from the Mt. of Precipice at Nazareth

How do I try to explain the picture that now flashes in my mind when I mention the name of your home on earth?  The valley to the south - Megiddo - the hill/mountain on which your earthly dwelling place of 20 years (from the age of 10 -30) rests. Mount Tabor to the East, Mount Carmel to the west. Cana to the North, and all beautifully visible in the afternoon sun - a panoramic wonder viewed from the Mount of Precipice. The understanding now of how Your people would not have traveled the Samaritan road to Jerusalem (in order to avoid contact with what they considered an "unclean" culture).

And there's the understanding now, of how much I still don't understand about all of this.On the other hand Rabbi, I am sure willing to be taught - thank You for that part of my psyche - now I give You willingly - that part of me so that Your will may be done.

Mark C.

Patti and Mark on roof of Angel Hotel overlooking Bethlehem

2-2-2012 Laugh, Lord

Archeological dig near site of Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Dome of Church of the Shepherd's Fields

Shepherd's Fields in Bethlehem

Cave Worship in Bethlehem

Nativity Monument at Shepherd's Field

Oil Lamp at Church of the Nativity

Olivewood Nativity Carvings

Clay Water Jar at Shepherd's Field

Olivewood carving of the Last Supper

Bethlehem and Shepherd's Fields

Candelabra in Church of the Nativity

Mark at the Shepherd's Field gardens

Doorway inside chambers below Church of St. Jerome

Stained Glass inside chambers below Church of St. Jerome

Falafel and soup

Archeological dig beside The Herodian

Oldest domed roof remains in Israel, found at The Herodian

Typical Orange Garden in Bethlehem

It didn't seem to be much of a start for our trip, Lord. Delayed plane flights in the air, chaos on the ground trying to keep the schedule from falling apart, and then there was the rain. OK not just the rain (pouring down in Bethlehem - who'd have thought!), but a 45 degree temperature and a 30 mile an hour wind. I was not amused.

Gifts for Hope School Children

Still, our gang of pilgrims were determined to carry on and You were present the whole way. In the morning, we visited and delivered supplies for the kids at the Hope School and got to meet, not only the students, but also the amazing people who run that organization.

Patti and Mark at the Hope School

Master, you taught me a lesson as well - I was talking to the Director of the school and he explained that he volunteers for the position which involves at least 30 hours a week of his time besides his full time job. He explained it simply, "What we do here is not a work of the person, but a work of the heart." I will carry those words of inspiration for a lifetime - You know how to humble me by examples such as this.

Church of The Shepherd's Field

Then the day got frustrating, Adonai. We visited an example of a cave such as the one You were born in, and the Shepherd's Field Church area and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem - awesome when considering the restrictions of Bethlehem - but I was disappointed. I came here for a different reason than to see things mankind had built to try to 'explain' You. Sure, there were beautiful moments in these places, but I was more interested in other marvels. Strangely, I wanted to make sure I would see The Herodian, the fortress palace of King Herod the Great. Because of the weather it looked doubtful.

Nativity Shrine at Church of the Nativity

But again, You would teach! Here I was eager for some historical perspective and You revealed the Spiritual. After lunch, we did finally get to the Herodian. The rain had not let up and I was sure no one else would want to make the trek with me to the top of the mountain (a half mile trip up a dirt path to an elevation of 2000 plus feet). Incredibly, not only did a group of 10 others show interest, but among them was Patti and also a 77 year old great grandmother named Wanda.

Wanda and Patti conquer The Herodian

We began our walk and the rain whipped, 30 miles an hour and sideways on our faces. It was evident that Wanda was going to need some help - and You tugged at mine and Patti's hearts and we stuck with her as we trudged up the mountainside. What we didn't realize was that Wanda was more determined than either of us to make the trek to the top. Her attitude and shear spunk were amazing - clinging on to both of us even when the rain turned to a driving sleet. None of us had dressed in preparation for this and yet, we persisted and finally we made the summit.

Herodian Ruins

The engineering marvel that was The Herodian, paled in comparison to what Wanda taught us, for not only did we take in the sights from above, then she and I climbed down the hidden tunnels within the structure. We followed the rest of the crew, descending carefully while taking in the amazing construction. We finally made it to the outside and again endured the rain/sleet on a mud path, arriving at our bus, soaked to the bone.

King Mark and Queen Patti with the Queen Mother Wanda

At dinner we laughed and celebrated Wanda's accomplishment, and she crowned us king and queen for the day (she being the queen mother). But it's what You did in Patti's and my heart that was the miracle. We were inspired by You and Your people - in particular a 77 year old great grandmother who took on Herod the Great and did it in Your name. Proclaiming her thanks and appreciation for You the whole way.

Silent Night, Holy Night...

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I've only skimmed the surface of the story today Lord -You revealed so much more - but for now, I wanted to get this part documented. Not that I could ever forget these incredible events and images. If the rest of the trip is anything close to this... what will become of us?!

Mark C