11-22-2012 Why Thanks?

‎"Says the LORD who made the earth, Elohim Adonai who formed it to establish it--YHWH is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:2-3 



Why do we even give thanks? What is it inside each of us that compels anything more than simple appreciation for the food and provisions we enjoy? Why do I hear whispers within me that say "Do more - give thanks!" Is is just the groaning of my stomach? Give thanks to whom? Those who grew the food, prepared the food, shared the table? Sure, but how did all this come about? Is there a greater Thanks to offer?

10-28-2012 The Last Two Thousand Years

Flags of the Nations at  Ein Bokek by the Dead Sea

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many

peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears

into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither

shall they learn war anymore.  Isaiah 2:4

Lord, I was listening the other day to some music by an interesting Jewish artist by the name of Batshava; in particular a song she sings about the historical persecution of the Jews. She sings the phrase,

Jewish Worshiper at the Western Wall

“Why should they remember and add their tears

to the fountain of the last two thousand years?”

To my selfish way of thinking, my existence has been completely altered for the better by an event that happened two thousand years ago – the amazing life, death and resurrection of You, Messiah Yeshua – when You took on my sins, mankind’s sins and offered an eternal relationship for any who believe in Your relationship as one with The Father. I’m one of those who believe with my whole heart that You are the Son of The Most High.

Battle between Satan and Jesus portrayed in
mural at the Church of Jacob's Well

Yet for a Jew, who also recognizes You, YHWH as Elohim Adonai echad – The One Lord God – but who still waits for a Messianic appearance, things seemed to change for the worst around 70 AD. The Diaspora resulting from the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome and the ongoing pogroms and holocaust to follow; further crushed the spirit of Your elect. Their hope remains a tattered remnant. Still, the Jewish people persist in their hope, and that gives me hope that one day we all will recognize the same Messiah as Lord and Savior.

Depiction of Jesus enduring the Via Dolorosa

Because of the supposed dichotomy in our perspectives, I’m compelled to ask You a question, Lord. Are we Christians and our Jewish brothers and sisters really that different? A friend of mine who founded a ministry called HaYovel, which serves Israel, has also spoken about the Jewish perspective: That, in the back of the mind of many Jews, there is a harbored resentment for Christians because of cultural and political persecution at the hands of some so-called believers who thought themselves privileged to deliver.

Ironically, The Body of Christ, of which I am but a tiny appendage, also suffered in those early times after Your resurrection. Persecution, social/political ostracization, torture and death have been an ongoing part of our heritage as well – it should be the part of our history that we weep over together with our Jewish brothers; not one pointing to the other in accusation.

Church Face in East Jerusalem

And so I hunger to consider our commonality – the fact that we believe in and honor You, Elohim, the One true God. You, My Redeemer, are compelling me to consider – and ask both Your Jewish and Gentile followers to consider with me – another difficult thing; something else we should be adding our tears to and praying about: What about those for whom the last two thousand years mean nothing at all, or for whom any time is one empty of Your presence and therefore void of true hope? How do we reach out to them, walk with them and share our hope in You?

Peace Greeting at Hope School in Beit Jala

I’m concerned that we don’t have another two thousand years before “the end of the age”. At that time, no matter what or whom we blame, no matter in what or whom we believe, all things will change. And those who reject You, YHWH, will suffer not just for a day or a year. Their tears will be for an eternal abandonment. How can a Jew or a Christian not hope against that?

Should we not be coming together, rather than accusing one another, in our efforts to demonstrate Your love, Your covenants and Your commandments to the nations? Haven’t You clearly instructed us, Jew and Christian, to do this? Is this how You plan to bring all of Your children into relationship with one another?

Maybe for too long we have been blinded by selfish tears for our personal suffering rather than look clearly through new ways at Your Long Suffering, Self-Sacrificing example. Whatever time we have left, Adonai, whether one more second or two thousand years, help us to join together, with You, to share Your plan and Your desire (not ours) with the world.

Yadah Elohim Adonai!

Mark C.

PS to any others reading this blog – if you are interested in the 

                                    music of Batsheva, visit her site at www.ibatshevasinger.com.

10-8-2012 I Don't Know

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.       Ephesians 2:10

“If you go to live in Israel, I am so totally going to come visit you,” exclaimed a wonderful surrogate daughter of ours.

“I totally want you to,” I replied. And then Elohim, I began to think, “How will all this happen?” …And so the trouble of the ‘double-minded me’ surfaces once more.

King David and Solomon had the same problem; as did Jacob and Paul. Even Joseph, when he experienced his dreams; and Your disciples – when they realized the power You had available at Your hand – started preplanning and envisioning their roles in Your kingdom. I’m guilty too of wanting to assume I know how things are going to unfold; after all, You and I agree on so much.

If that were so, if I could so easily predict Your plan; why has my life been such a roller-coaster of events, both good and bad? Why did I not foresee the obvious opportunities or heed the warning signs predicting catastrophe? Now, looking back, they seem so laser-clear to my repentant soul.

But if it had been my plan prevailing, I wouldn’t have ever recovered from my first marriage failures as a husband. I would never have experienced the rebuilding of my life, even being gifted to learn a new career using a skill set in financial planning I never believed I possessed. 

Even if I had grasped the potential of all those redeeming moments, I would not dare have predicted that I would then once again lose my career livelihood, being humbled into bowing at Your alter to admit my total dependence on Your provision.  And at that low moment, I would certainly not have, in my wildest imagination, predicted that my wife and I would be offered the opportunity to go to Israel – You very obviously providing the means (ours  being so pathetically meager). 

I guess what I’m getting at Majesty, is that I’m trying to give up on predicting future circumstances. Yet certainly I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater: I hear Your calling strongly that we are to go back to The Land. I look at the headlines of strife and turmoil – even potential war in the region – and shake my head, thinking once again, “How will all this happen?”

It will happen because You have designed it to happen. It will happen when You deem it appropriate and it will be for Your glory, not mine. It will be obvious when that time and purpose is ready to be set in motion because everything will fall perfectly into place. The challenge will be to keep up with Your breathtaking intention as the groundswell of other followers will respond in words similar to our adopted daughter’s exclamation. Their hearts will shout, “I am moved by these events and by this example in ways I don’t understand and can’t explain.”

And You, as always, will amaze us by evidence of Your Spirit surging forward. In my own strange way, I’m comforted, Adonai. I don’t (and won’t) have to do any of the true “heavy lifting”.  My job will be to run as quickly as I can to keep up with You, shrugging my shoulders all the time and telling others along the way, “I don’t know how, I just know Who. I believe in the power of The One True God.”

Mark C.

9-25-2012 Atonement

Star of David in Jerusalem

And it shall be a statute forever unto you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and shall do no manner of work, the home-born, or the stranger that sojourneth among you.

For on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall ye be clean before the LORD. It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute forever.

And the priest, who shall be anointed and who shall be consecrated to be priest in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments. And he shall make atonement for the most holy place, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year.' And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 16:29-34

Jesus Praying at Gethsemani

Elohim Adonai, this will be a short entry – I suspect You have more to offer than I (as is always the case!) on this subject. Today is the observance of Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement for Judaism. From what I have seen, we Christian believers tend to minimize or ignore this day – our scapegoat having been offered for the forgiveness of our sins in conjunction with another Jewish holy day.

But as I read back over the instructions You laid them out to Your people, my attention gets caught by several phrases. “It is a statute forever”; “And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you.”

Eastern Jerusalem and City of David

So if I’m reading this right… as a believer, grafted into my family whose God is the God of Israel; a God who came to earth to walk among His people as a Jewish man; who observed this day personally… I too should be observing this very special Shabbot.

“But wait Mark,” some of my friends might say. “You’re taking this stuff way too seriously. You are free from this. You can ignore the Old Covenants because that’s what the New Covenant says.”

Really? Lord, please help me understand. I don’t see anything in any of Your covenants that indicate one replaces another. I see instead that they build upon one another, adding too, not taking away from Your act of redemption for mankind. Where does it say in Your word that Forever and Everlasting… are not?

Service in the Quarters of Pilate

Portrayal of Jesus

In Jerusalem, I saw examples of what happens when people “adjust” Your statutes, bend Your rules, even make up their own rules and call them Yours: Desire for individual freedom, disagreement between sects, even recognition of other gods has divided Your Holy City. Wait, who am I kidding? All I have to do is look at the mirror; at my own example – at a thing we call in this country…Denominations; dividing even Your church into disagreement instead of yearning for unity. Forgive us YHWH. Forgive us all for we still don’t understand the need for atonement. Your grace and mercy pours over us even as we boldly sin, claiming that we boldly obey.

L'Chaim!!

So on this day of all days, I give thanks to You my Lord, Jesus. You did not let the rules of the day interfere with what You knew to be right and true. You have taught and are teaching me to follow Your example. So by Your example, I offer to You my life again, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable only because of the sacrifice You first made for me. Because of Your selfless act, now I not only observe Yom Kippur, I celebrate it and invite others to celebrate with me in unity, this everlasting statute.

Mark C.

9-20-2012 Jigsaw Puzzle God

Mt. Herman on the border of Israel with Syria

I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things.

"Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the LORD have created it.

"Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles'? Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' or to a woman, 'With what are you in labor?'"

Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: "Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands? I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.

I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward," says the LORD of hosts.

                                                                                                           Isaiah 45:5-13

Jordan River source in Dan 

As we traveled around the country of Israel, a very clear picture came together for me, Adonai. To the north, lush forests with abounding water, in the west and middle sections, fertile, rich farmland. Separating East from West, two mountain ranges, and the further east and South we traveled, the more arid and dry The Land became. Add to this, an elevation change from North to South of 13000 feet and seasonal changes in temperature of plus or minus 50 degrees… it makes for a diverse environment of existence.

Worshipers at the Western Wall

I also saw this diversity in the people. I thought we were socially divergent in the United States (and we are!), but Your Land appears to be the original model of contrasting cultures; spiritual persuasions, ethnic backgrounds, family/tribal and political beliefs all contributing to a powerful mix of the human condition.

Herod's Quarters where Jesus was taken

And some in this diverse region, just like those in our diverse country, would argue that You too are flexible and different according to their needs. I have been told by some that You are an invented idea, conveniently made for the time and place of someone’s needs and desires. Many dismiss You, Lord as nothing more than an explanation for the ‘unexplained’.

When You are not needed, we would dismiss You away; when things go wrong in the world, we even demonize You as uncaring or diabolical (“After all,” they will say, “You must have caused the calamity or suffering because Your ‘soul’ purpose is to hurt and punish mankind.”). To some who think this way, You are to be manipulated, used and called upon only in the time and place of their choosing. To these people, Your character changes as necessary to justify their actions, desires and beliefs:You are to them, a Jig-saw Puzzle God – pieces of Your existence they would cut and fit to a pattern of their design.

Southern face of Masada

But You, Elohim, are the God of the dessert; You are the God of the mountains and plains and to those who live in each place. Perhaps we forget from time to time, that You are the God of all creation and Your ways are not our ways – beyond our understanding. Your way is not one of convenience – Your character does not allow others to shape You who are The Shaper.

Shrine at birthplace of John the Baptist

The Land helps me to understand better: You are not a mosaic of manmade images; I’ve come to realize that actually, we are Your puzzle, which is being completed with careful mysterious planning, loving kindness and correction. Just as the land changes and is reshaped over the course of time; just as it affects those who are bound to it; so I am cultivated and tilled by You. And I in turn become a source for others. It is not by my hands that You exist – it is by Your hand that I and all mankind, as well as Your earthly dwelling place, are offered redemption and renewal.

Gothic Church in Jerusalem

Now when I reflect on my journey from the heights of Mt. Herman, through the forests of Dan, into the fields and valley of Jezreel and beyond to the wilderness; ultimately up to Jerusalem; I begin to see the vast complexity and wisdom of Your plan. You are not to be defined or understood by one example or one scriptural reference or one feature within a place or one moment in time. You are God and Your puzzle must be completely finished, each piece placed as and when You determine.

"Look deeply at the hands that suffered"

Your desire is all that matters – a difficult thing to accept, Master; I would choose (and I confess I still try to choose) differently. Forgive me and thank You; praise You, that You, as God of all – sacrificed Yourself to The Land and to its people to shape a new creation.

I pray that all of us search the world for You with a hunger that will not be satisfied until the day the puzzle picture is complete.

Mark C.

9-2-2012 Within-Without

Within-Without

Trinity Tapestry in Shechem

"For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.     

                                    
                                            Malachi 4:1-3

You, Elohim, tell us that there will be “a time”, called “The Day” when prophesies which seem so distant in description, will unfold to those with eyes to see and ears to hear. I believe You are opening my eyes and ears and I praise You for it, Teacher, but now I have to use my newly heightened spiritual senses.

I have come to understand that, what seem like the ramblings of some crazy men (maybe even this crazy man) to some, are actually real events that have occurred or that are destined to unfold in the blur between the physical and the spiritual realms. With tongue in cheek, I even claim to You, Almighty, that there has been a whole book written about these happenings: Conflicts and warnings of things that either give hope to, or terrify my heart.

Minaret in Bethlehem

When traveling The Land, I saw many of the places and learned more about the people of which these things were written. Locations like Megiddo and names such as Ezekiel come to mind. Even you, my Messiah, spoke of “The Day of The Lord” and referenced often, “The End of The Age”. Perhaps to the casual observer these portents relate only as general statements suggesting how we will, over and over again…for lack of a better term…screw up. But You have not, for some reason, given me a “casual mind”.

Maybe there’s more to End Times and Spiritual Warfare prophesy. What if Eschatology suggests You want something beyond a simple confession of human faultiness, what if You are painting a picture of an ongoing battle, camouflaged by our insensitivity to truth and light?

I read and hear and see of things that are far more diabolical: Times of ultimate conflict, actions of final redemption all requiring one ultimate decision on the part of individuals and cultures. Israel is the center of examples, where You have intervened and acted repeatedly, but warning that a “bigger” even is beyond the horizon – not like any before.

Narrow Gate at Masada 

It begs several questions Master of Past, Present and Future; am I prepared? Am I ready, not just for some distant apocalypse, but am I living in a way and in a place that recognizes light from darkness and chooses consistently the former? There is an easy answer: “Of course…I’ve read those parts of the Bible. I know things are going to get ‘rough’”. And…there is also the harder answer: “I don’t know if I believe this is really relevant now – if I simply live my life as a ‘good Christian’, I’ll make out just fine.”

But then my answers aren’t really important, are they YHWH? Your truth is far more convicting and it’s right there in scripture.

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Islamic proclamation in Nazareth

Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”                                                                                                                                        

                                                              Mat 24:22-28

   

Olive Tree and "beholder"  in Samaria

Am I willing to recognize this message being meant for not only for the hearers of old and possibly for those of some future apocalypse, but also for me…and my time, my culture? When I stood in The Land, I could see plenty of evidence to this. When I returned home, I could not deny the signs – in other words, King of kings, I do recognize Your work and also the active efforts of evil attempting to claim its share. It saddens me because I know any of us here on this planet, even if we claim You as Lord (maybe now, especially because we claim You), are at risk of suffering. And those who have not yet received You, Spirit, are in the greatest danger of all – not just of facing the cosmic powers of this present darkness, but of existing in an eternal Godless void never to be undone.

Traditional Oil Lamp

Master, I call on You for revelation; not only that I might better recognize Your plan and desire for me, but also for those whom are, at best, casual observers of the ongoing struggle between light and dark. Help me, and all those who believe to be more vigilant and as importantly, more vocal so that all may know You as their defender and protector.

Praying for The Active Peace of Your presence – within and without,

                                                                                       Mark C.

8-6-2012 The What and the Why

Diagram at Capernaum

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

"'Go to this people, and say, "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive."

For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.                        Acts 28:23-31

Glory in the highest to God and on earth,peace to men of good will 

Lord, what a challenge! After reading the end of The Book of Acts, chapter 28, I was reminded of a question that has been in the back of my mind for a long time: “How did Paul and other disciples who had not witnessed the resurrection testify to Your redemption work on earth?”  They didn’t have a New Testament back then and many of the people they were trying to reach out to were not very knowledgeable (if at all) of the Old Testament scriptures. Yet they were extremely effective and accurate in their testimony and Your church grew at a phenomenal rate.

I’ve come to realize that You’re convicting me to be able to do the same – after all, the New Testament is a collection of other’s experiences connecting the prophecies and history You prepared in advance of Your earthly walk. So why shouldn’t I be able to present Your story in the way those Asia Minor followers did? Am I prepared? Am I well versed enough in Your Old Testament (Tenach) to confidently and accurately use its message, witnessing to Your plan for the world?

Spiritually, I’m sensing this is what You’re encouraging all of us to be about. So mentally, I go back to our trip to Israel and recall the depth of Your plan, buried in the land and poured into Your people. I’m also reminded of when You introduced me to the HaYovel ministry – how their ministry would not have made any sense to me what so ever, had I not “dug in” to the land and Your word. Now I’ve come to realize how shallow my understanding has been and how much more there is to do to serve and connect with the geography and the record.

Repairing of a Jerusalem gate

Now I’m trying a different approach, Adonai. Instead of relying on someone else’s testimony (such as Paul’s or Peter’s experiences from the New Testament), I’m studying the “What” and the “Why” of Your path for redemption; becoming more familiar with the scriptures prior to Your walking the earth; and then, reflecting on my own encounters with You. After all, if I can’t effectively share with others how You have radically reshaped and blessed my life, what good is the reshaping and the blessing to others?  Am I an empty or a full vessel to be poured out?

This exercise brings Your plan alive in a whole new way for me; just as actually touching and observing The Land had done for me; just as seeing prophecy unfold via the mission of HaYovel had done: Now I’m looking at each chapter and verse of the Old Testament with one question on my mind – “Is Jesus present here?”

“Wait,” others might say. “Jesus wasn’t present before the New Testament.” Really? Then what is the verse John 1 all about? How can we explain Psalm 22? If You, Jesus didn’t exist and weren’t active in lives before You were born a man, then how did David know to call You Lord? So many examples – so much changes when I use Your active presence as the prism for my reading and my own life’s encounters – how did I come this far, if not for You Lord? How can my life now be so rich considering how poorly I have acted? The plan is clear, its Architect and its Builder are visible throughout the ancient text and today!

Ein Gedi wilderness trail

Jesus, help me with my vision, let my ears hear every word and let the result be a voice crying out in the wilderness so that others may hear and see and know You are Lord, Savior and God alone!

Shema!

Mark C.