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

2-1-2012 It's Dark Outside

Patti at Tel Aviv Airport

Rainy Day in Bethlehem

Wednesday morning (very early). It's dark outside but the light is shining brightly inside.  We arrived safely after first being told that we would miss our connection in Philadelphia due to our flight's delay in Nashville - God had much bigger plans..

On our approach over the Mediterranean Sea and into Israel, I was captured by how many kinds of terrain I saw just in a short 15 minute fly over. Barren desert canyons to fertile green fields and everything in between. I was reminded Texas, Tennessee, California and South Dakota all at the same time! Amazing.

Mike at Mt. of Precipice

By the time we arrived in Tel Aviv, got on our bus and made the trek to Bethlehem, the sun was down, but oh view lit by the city lights, the land demands to be seen (and should be). We traveled into Southern Jerusalem and I had no idea how hilly the entire region (not just the inner city, but for miles! It is more beautiful than I even expected.\

The people are incredible too, although we've not had too much opportunity to meet the locals - our pilgrimage group is as diverse and interesting as the land. And I learned some new things already from our guide, Mike, who is Palestinian...

... In Hebrew, the preferred greeting is "Shaloam" or "Mah Shalomkah" (loose translation - how is your peace?) and the reply would be "tadah" (loose translation - peace to you and welcome).  In Arabic, the preferred greeting is "Salaam" - same meaning. But to get more personal, greet your close friends in the following manner:

"Marhaba (Hi) abbibi (dear one)."

So... Marhaba abbibis, we wish you could be here with us.

Mark and Patti, sunrise over Bethlehem

Mark and Patti C.

1-29-2012 A New Beginning

Lord, you woke me up at 4 AM this morning with inspiration, and maybe to get me set up for the drastic time zone change we’re about to experience. Regardless, I’m Yours and ready to listen and obey. Later tonight we will pray with friends and have a special communion moment, going through the four (five if you count Elijah’s cup) cups of Passover with the hope of letting you instruct us on the power of Your plan from the beginning.

So much to absorb, so vast is Your mind and heart, Oh God. I pray the joy of Your Salvation turn fears to dust. May the awe of Your Way be a light to my path. Let me be an eye (Ayin) to Your Word and a hand (Yood) to Your Work.

With a smile Lord, a whimsical request: Nathan, my son has said that the coolest (sic) thing would be if I we able to find him a snow globe in Israel. Game On? I pray this challenge causes You to laugh as well.

1-30-12 Foretaste of the Feast to Come

            It’s a part of the Lutheran liturgy I used to sing every Sunday, Lord, before communion.

Almost There

Almost there,

     

                                                And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.

      And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to       
      Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;  

      they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing 

      shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:8-10

Very soon we embark on the trip of a life time – a year in the planning, a miracle by any standard. We were not supposed to be able to afford such a trip, we were not supposed to have the resources necessary. The political climate and all conventional wisdom have said, “NO”.

You, God say, “Yes”.

We’re ready, we’ve hungered and studied , planned and packed, our ears and eyes are open…but we have no idea (yet) how Israel will speak to us, just how it has already spoken  to others.

And I feel a sense of personal peace – no need to push an agenda. A friend, who has been, suggests to let my physical and spiritual senses take over. I get that – let the land and the people…and most of all, You, Lord to teach me, not me try to define them.

            I’ve even found some humor in the preparation (something somehow important to me – teach me why someday, OK Rabbi?). Patti asked me to track the weather in the different regions of the land. One day she wanted to know the temperature in the area of the Dead Sea.  Weather.com was unforgiving, Global.net, no help. No source reveals the current temperature for the lowest elevation on earth. I finally shrugged my shoulders and replied to her, “The current temperature of the Salt Sea is…Seasonal.”

            A co-worker asked me to bring him back one thing that would cause US Customs to ask 10 questions. I suggested, “One olive.” He responded that it should be something that wouldn’t spoil. I replied, “An olive branch.”

            Lord, all this rambling is not to entertain or to assure. It’s simply to release my excitement and anticipation and above all to say, thank You, praise You for the opportunity. Oh yes, there is one more thing: The Most important revelation of our readiness. Patti and I are ready in another way – as typical, You’re already teaching and providing for us in advance of our need – We pray nothing more than for Your will and desire to be played out in our journey. Let others know, by our love, our worship of You and Your work in us, that You are God alone.

Hallelujah!

Mark & Patti C.

What's in a name?

What’s in a name?  

Mah Shalomkah,

Just a few more weeks and we’ll be winging our way to The Promised Land. In preparing for the trip, I’ve mentioned that Patti and I have been studying Ancient Hebrew word symbols and I’ve been amazed to learn just how significant each word becomes when its origin is discovered.  Even the names of people in the Bible tell a story and it got me thinking how different the Hebrew way of thinking is verses my very Greek perspective.

For instance, in my everyday way of doing things, I greet my wife and say her name, “Patti” (Patricia) but I say it as a familiar identifier, not taking in its original Latin/Spanish meaning – Noble (which she most certainly is!).

Nor do I suspect that when she greets me back using my name, Mark, that she is thinking of me as a Warrior (Swedish) or a Hammer (Latin) or my favorite – Polite, Shining (Biblical). Even more interesting is Patti’s and my names translated to Hebrew: פטרישיה – Patti, loosely translating to, “behold the sharp head speaking everywhere” and סימן – Mark, “fastened and depending on water (life and growth)”.

 I’m not one to say that a name defines the person, but I do believe we are shaped by our heritage.  Our name origin is important in determining what we become. All I have to do is look at the name of my Lord and Savior to understand this:

Jesus, “Jesus – Jehovah is salvation.” 

He was called to be exactly what he became. Shouldn’t I be more in tune with what I and those around me are called…and are called to?

Patti and I had over to our house, some of the other folks who are taking the journey to The Holy Land with us. We had not met most of them before, but it was amazing how quickly we got to know and respect one another – not because of and special position or skills any of us held, but because of our common language – the Love of Jesus that was obvious in each. We had all become “pictures of salvation” and it was not difficult at all to translate His impact on each of our lives. I suspect that even if each of us were from another country and spoke in different tounges, we still would have been easily able to communicate. It gave me incredible hope for the trip to come where we will definitely be encountering foreign tongues.

I don’t have to speak or totally understand Hebrew (thank You, Lord – I was worried about my lack of translation skills). All I have to do is learn more about the names and symbols around me in my everyday life – and what (or who) they represent. I’m discovering how complicated we’ve made language and yet how simple it truly is: All we need to do is look at the pictures – the life stories spelled out in names, words and experiences of those around us – and respond to them using the language of the One who invented and is Love.

So now when we arrive in Israel, I will know also what is in that name (its picture) which means “He will rule as God”.  That will be a reminder of exactly Who is in charge of this trip and Whose word, instruction and symbols we will be seeking out on our journey.

To me, that gives a whole new meaning to the word “Follow” - haw-lak' (Hebrew). As you prepare for your own journey – whether far away or in just your every day haw-lak', what does it mean to you?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

John 1:1

B^erâkâh,

Mark & Patti C.

Christmas 2011 - Packing up 

It’s so close! It doesn’t seem like time has passed at all since Patti and I put our prayers and commitment out to make a journey to Israel. And now everything is in place except for one last detail – packing.  What do we bring along, what do we leave behind? What will we need when we get there, what will be provided for us?

And that got me to thinking about the 400 year period between the last of the prophetic writings of the Old Testament and the New.  People were hungry for an answer to their prayers regarding the revealing of a Savior. Then, like now (for Patti and me), we try to anticipate the future of God’s plan instead of just living as He desires us to, for the moment – in awe and obedience.

Hmmm, it would be easier if it was just about stuffing a few clothes and conveniences into a suitcase, but how do I pack awe, how do I fit obedience into my “carry on?” Then it came to me. We’re not being asked to bring anything to wear or put on (Not to worry, we’ll definitely travel with a wardrobe – don’t want to make those kind of headlines!). But I perceive the need to bring along a different kind of luggage packed with some things most of us would rather leave behind, safely stowed away in our darkest closets.  It’s the kind of baggage we use in which to hide our faults and the imperfections of our humanity.

Man’s wisdom – God’s foolishness. He would have me port along all of my proverbial dirty laundry and wear it willingly on our venture. The intent is not to brag about my shortcomings, as some sort of faulty creature (though that I certainly am), but to allow the opportunity to show God’s grace in action.  Revealing this part of my wardrobe to a foreign land will also require me to bring a few other necessities along – humility, confession, repentance – things I’m tempted to leave at home on most days, things He’s now asking me to boldly share with others.

And what could possibly be gained by such an embarrassing display? Maybe, just maybe, when we arrive in The Promised Land of Israel, some people there will look past my supposed American arrogance and see something amazing underneath – the Love of my Savior, Jesus. Maybe, just maybe enough of my Master will be revealed in me that it might inspire others to share their baggage with me and ultimately with Him. Maybe.

And that brings up the subject of Christmas. “What?” You say, “What in the world does this have to do with Christmas?” Instead of just a typical Christmas letter, Patti and I would like to share a different gift . We would like to take a part of you to Israel with us. What better way to share with the world than for us to carry your specific prayers and well wishes with us? Maybe, just maybe, your prayers, yours concerns…hmmm, maybe even your confessions need to be heard and witnessed just as Peter suggested in his letters to early New Testament believers.

So, simple as that, help us share Christmas this year by emailing us back a message that you would like carried personally to the Holy Land. Whatever it may be, pray about it and send it with love – we’ll do the rest. But do it soon – we still have a lot of packing to do and we want to save plenty of room for your contributions.

In the meantime, we also want to share our gratefulness for the blessings God has bestowed on us this year. Shay is thriving in her last year at collage at UT Martin. Nate graduated from the Web Design program he was attending and immediately got a fabulous job in his preferred career.   Ash got a raise at work and now Nate and she are able to spend more time together (Yay!). Erik is coming at the end of December to visit and continues to do amazing work in Korea in his chosen field of digital public relations. We made a trip to see Patti’s folks in South Dakota and we continue to be provided for with good jobs, health and great friends.

What challenges present themselves are never above the capabilities of our God to provide solutions, including putting in our lives, all of you who have supported us in our dream to go to Israel. We give thanks to Him for our family and for you. What an amazing life He has provided for us.

May your Christmas and the New Year to come be filled with hope and good will for your family and for all who seek a greater understanding of creation and its Creator.

Shalom,

Mark & Patti

             Alpha and Omega

I realize that I’m such a tiny speck in the scheme time. Especially looking at all the great accomplishments of You, my God, through the ages…Creation; the calling of Abraham and his descendants, the plan for redemption, the offer of salvation for all of mankind, the triumph of Jesus over death on our behalf…It would take me a lifetime to list out the rest. But You get the point Lord, I am in awe of You and Your LONG term, LONG Suffering love for us. No wonder I feel small, You are so infinite. 

Yet as insignificant as I am, I sense that You are placing a moment of significance in my path.  Somewhere after the Alpha, and – as far as I can predict – before the Omega; my wife and I will be jetting to Israel. I’ve asked it before and I’ll puzzle it until answered – how can I possibly serve / submit to You in the land where the acts of service and submission were first and most beautifully portrayed?

I feel a bit like a first grader being elected to stand before a graduating High School class. What can I offer?

                …The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

And as Martin Luther once said before (supposedly) greater minds than his,”…here I stand, I can do no other.”

                Oh no, Lord, I know this is not a trial, but a privilege, don’t get me wrong – yet You’ve wired me in such a way that I am always looking for purpose.  I know. I have to trust that it is Your purpose, not mine to be defined. That’s why I come back to the wonder and comfort of Your son, The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning of it all and The End of it all – the complete perfection of Your plan.

                Which means that my purpose is already defined by my testimony – I am saved and completed by The Alpha and The Omega – Jesus my Messiah: If all I’m to do is to mouth these words, confident that they come from a place buried deeply and permanently in my heart, then… Tetelestai – my purpose is completed.

                Yes, Lord, that’s the part of the puzzle You’ve not revealed – I can mouth those words and submit in that way, right here in Franklin, Tennessee – so why does my heart burn for Israel? You know and You will reveal.  I’m not the purpose of the plan, just a tool – works for me.  Patti and I travel willingly and hopefully to this place we have dreamed of for so long – not to experience it but to become a part of the experience – Your bigger picture for Your bride, the Church. Within Your Alpha and Your Omega, we will at some point know fully our purpose, just as we are fully known.  Until then: Faith, hope and Love…and Israel!

Shalom.