6-1-2012 Connecting with Andrew

Olive wood carving of the last supper

Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."

Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"  

Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."

Joh 6:27-29

Tiles at the church of Jacob's Well

Lord, your disciple Andrew keeps popping up, over and over in my scripture study. It was Andrew who had sought out and become a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35-40). Andrew encountered you, Yeshua, through John and insisted to his brother Simon Peter, that, “we have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41). It was Andrew who knew of a boy, within the great crowd following you, who had two fish and five loaves of bread (John 6:8-9). Even though Phillip had learned about the Greeks seeking out Jesus, he took that information to Andrew who then, with Phillip, made the introduction to you, his Rabbonai (John 12:20-22).

Mt. Gerizim

These were not the only scriptures in which Andrew is mentioned and, after witnessing your ascension, history records him as a significant evangelist, traveling as far as modern day Russia to share the Gospel, finally according to tradition, to be martyred in Greece.

Could it have been Andrew who said, “I know of a house in Capernaum (his, in fact) where you can stay”? Could it have been Andrew who knew of the whereabouts of a donkey and of a certain house with an upper room in Jerusalem? Was this man your “networker” while you walked the earth? As I read the scriptures, I don’t find anyone else described with these skills and yet this man’s specific abilities are repeatedly and deliberately mentioned. There must be a reason.

Eastern shore - Sea of Galilee

And then, there are the things I don’t see mentioned about Andrew. There is no evidence of his ever seeking credit or recognition for his accomplishments. There are no complaints from him about his doing all that “connecting”, but you, Jesus receiving the recognition. This appeared to be a humble servant – doing what he did naturally, and offering all of it to You.

Adonai, in retrospect, I see that you have put me in contact with so many people and resources. I wondered for a long time why I’ve had such a wide array of vocations and locations. Now I believe it was Your way of preparing me as a connector like Andrew.

Friends making friends in Jericho

Honestly, Ancient of Days, I have to confess I know others who are better at connecting than I am. I’ve seen them in action. Many of these I‘ve observed in church or ministry settings. I’m actually humbled (maybe even intimidated?) by the more highly connected people and resources they know. It temps me to dwell more on who and what I don’t know rather than on how to serve as Andrew served. You remind me, my job is not to understand what my net catches – just that I am to cast.

Scripture study by the Sea of Galilee

Mark & Patti at Ein Gedi

Emmanuel, I appreciate this gift, but I struggle because the curiosity seeker in me wants to see where the connections I put together will ultimately lead. Then again, what if Andrew had known that he was facilitating, even indirectly, in connecting you to the crucifixion moment? Would he have tried to alter his plans in ignorance of your destiny? No; it’s better that I just obey –  anticipating Your grander scheme is just way too dangerous.

Thank You for the example of Andrew. Help me, God, to be satisfied with the work You created for me to do. Help me to not try to redefine my destiny, but to accept and trust Your perfect design. Thank You, Father for Your desire to be connected with me, and with all those who believe. Praise You for The One You sent to connect us with You – Yeshua, Your son.

Amen.

5-21-2012 Trial and Error

Jerusalem Fowl

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

      Matt 7:21-23

 

Column Capital at Scythopolis  

During our visit to Israel, I discovered yet another paradox in my makeup, Adonai. I need Your help making sense of this one. I became aware of my struggle, as I was trying desperately to download pictures from my cell phone onto a friend’s computer in order to send out one of my blogs direct from The Holy Land. In the effort, I had to try and try again to outsmart the intelligence of the computer, which thought my mobile phone to be a demon of some sort which was trying to attach the computer.

I even tried to make the mobile phone photo files “look” like computer photo files, but the computer wasn’t fooled. As much good as I intended by my attempts, the computer would have nothing to do with my offering.

Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem

I realized two things from this effort. Both relate to how I behave toward You. First, Lord, as much as I want to help, no amount of cleverness on my part is going to convince You that something incompatible to Your plan actually is compatible. Unholy is unholy.

That part of my lesson was pretty easy to pick up, the metaphor stares me in the face every day.  The second challenge however is not so cut and dry.  I have concluded that I seem to learn pretty effectively, using “trial and error” as my technique. As a matter of fact, I have to confess that most of my best learning seems to have come from this approach. The problem is…You do not appear to be a God who designed me to be tolerant of error. Quite the opposite in fact, errors are frowned upon in The Text. I started looking up the scriptural events associated with errors and it’s not a pretty picture. When someone in the Bible is in error, it needs to be corrected.

Interestingly, I had always associated the word “error” with the word “sin” – but researching the translations, apparently I was in error. The most common Hebrew word to define error is…well, Elohim, that’s where this gets tricky…there is no Hebrew word for error that’s used consistently. But most of the words that are used imply a mistake or a blunder.

On the other hand, the two most common words for sin imply an intentional act of disobedience or “missing the target” (either intentionally or through neglect).

Aqueduct at Caesarea Maritima

So I’m a little confused. Are my errors, if presented with the best of intentions, OK? If I keep on erring, but improve over time, coming closer and closer to Your intended design for my life, is that OK? Is that Management by Grace? Or is that the easy way out? Should I be continuously pouring through The Text, seeking ways to premeditatedly avoid errors?

If the latter is Your preference, I’ve got to confess; that’s hard work – especially for someone who, has seemed to prove a successful pattern in the worldly concept of “trial and error”. I’ve been complemented by my peers, over and over again for my tenacity in the face of failure, picking myself up over and over again when I don’t quite” get it right”, learning bit by bit and even giving You the credit along the way for my improvement.

Temple to Pan at Caesarea Pillippi

But the more I investigate, the more evident it appears that my method, however successful by worldly standards, is simply not…Biblical. As a matter of fact, seems to me that Cain was a trial and error kind of guy and I don’t remember it working out too well for him. The successful examples in The Text all suggest that, when faced with challenges, choices and learning opportunities; those who pray and study scripture and focus on Your instruction, get immediate positive results – not a graduated series of near-miss improvements.

This is a difficult lesson, Lord. I like grace. I depend on grace…maybe a little too much. I’m beginning to wonder if I perhaps take a more casual approach to my responsibilities because I know You’ve “got my back”. Does that really get me off the hook? What if I were to approach every action and decision ahead of me as if there was no grace or mercy, but still knowing that You are my judge? Would my behavior be different?

I’ve become too dependent on repentance-after-the-fact. I “get” that errors may not be sins of commission, but they sure do seem to be sins of omission. Whether unknown or presumptuous, I should not take Your immeasurable treasure in kindness toward me, for granted.

Mark at Nativity Gardens

I’ve confessed this to You before and I’ll need You’re continued convicting help, Holy Spirit; to show me the difference between haphazard experimentation and prayerful exploration of Your instruction. Please help me see the errors of my ways before making them. Help me investigate and dig more deeply into Your word, “rehearsing” my decisions and actions rather than living a seat-of-the-pants lifestyle.

Master, I know I’ll still err. But, with Your guidance, I can become better practiced in a new approach (at least for me). I’ll strive to look ahead, study intently beforehand, pray and practice trust in Your instruction. What name would fit such a lifestyle…presumptuous obedience? Possibly. Or maybe another word, overused and poorly understood in today’s world…

…faith.  

I’m Yours to teach.

Mark C.

It took me several try to get this right (Wait…SEE, there I go again!)

5-10-2012 Tourist or Disciple?

Manger stone found at Megiddo

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

2John 1:8

 

Tell Megiddo city gate

We were at Megiddo, Lord, as You know; the ancient Tell where countless armies had confronted one another and where, in the future Your final battle will be fought. While walking through the ruins on the surface and then the tunnels below, I was busily snapping pictures, left and right – trying to “capture the moment “– when it dawned on me that I was not “in the moment”. I had walked over broken pieces of history, climbed upon walls of antiquity, explored trenches and hideaways of forgotten cultures, all with stories to share about how we as humans either lay claim or siege to ground that You already have title. And I was so engrossed in being a spectator, that I was not absorbing the powerful lesson being offered to me.

Water tunnel under Megiddo

            This neglected foundation was not just a place of lost civilizations or abandoned strongholds, this was a reminder of how we pursue and commit to our future. I have experienced so many times in my brief history, when a goal or a thing that I want is in my sights. I have charged out to conquer my desires and then, once obtained, have placed them in my trophy cabinet (or in my camera)as mementos, quickly forgotten, referenced only now and again as past victories; tales saved to share with children and grandchildren in hopes of impressing and inspiring.

Jeroboam's grain silo 

            I wonder at the crowds that followed you, Jesus. Thousands that were fed, healed and taught, yet they walked away when you offered them the greatest possession of all – Your Love, in return for their love. All they had to do was to wear their belief, not just claim it and hang it as a banner or decorate some remote corner of their home. Only a precious few…disciples they were called, learned the real lesson, the hard lesson. Only these few took on the task of living out what You taught, giving up everything, even their lives, in total dedication to You.

More tunnels beneath Megiddo

Is my faith like that Adonai? Is my devotion to You nothing more than a tourist’s souvenir closet full of relics dusted with neglect, only opened on occasion as some pleasant memory? Or am I truly Your disciple – passionately walking in Your footsteps, wanting to experience moments, possibly even a lifetime, where people I encounter on the street might actually recognize my actions not as my own, but as Yours?

Hidden exit of Megiddo

Sure, Lord of hosts, I understand that even Your apostles had their moments of human frailty, but tourists they were certainly not! They lived and died by Your example and I pray for the courage and strength to do the same. Please convict me if you see me tempted to only be content with a photo gallery ministry. Give me a “nudge” if I start talking of my relationship with You as a past tense touring event.

            Jesus, I look at all that is around me and pray that I am not a collector of memories but rather, like you, a builder of relationships and hope centered in Your love.

Todah Rabah, Messiah!

Mark C.

                 .

5-1-2012 Short Cuts

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 

I’ve read in scripture that You encourage Your believers speak their hearts for their own awareness of direction so that You might walk with them. So here’s my heart:

         Lord, I believe I’m on the right road You’ve directed me to, but me being…me, I’m really tempted to take the “bypass” to achieve a quicker result. Ever since our journey to Israel, I’ve  wanted to rush the process of connecting with other believers in The Land, anxious to build relationships and to learn how they live. I hunger to revisit Galilee and other ancient places, strengthening relationships with our new found friends and establishing new relationships. I want to be there…now. I’m afraid if I wait too long, I’ll lose my passion and desire, forgetting critical lessons that You revealed while we were there. I fear that the growing strife in the area might soon prohibit another visit.

Yes, confession time – I’m thinking ahead, premeditating rather than preparing for what You’ve obviously already set in motion. It’s that “worrying about tomorrow” thing creeping in again – the enemy is so subtle.

At least I’m in good company. I suspect the Israelites of old had also grumbled, saying, “Why can’t we just go up the Way of the Sea road to the Promised Land?” It was a three week trip at most, even for a group as large as that. “Why Sinai?” “Why the 40 year route?”

Moses must have just shaken his head – he had learned the hard way about short cuts. It took him 80 years to learn, so 40 must have figuratively seemed a drop in the bucket. I look at my own “shaping” time and as much as I know You are directing me wisely, I want my way – the easy way, the fast way. It’s so ironic, that in looking back on my journey to this moment, every time I had come to a similar point and had chosen my path preference over Yours; the road turned out to be more difficult and actually hindered instead of enabled my progress.

All metaphors aside, Adonai, I ask You now to walk with me closely in my struggle. Remind me that everything I am experiencing regarding my personal desire to serve Israel is really about responding to Your love of the people and the land. Thank You for providing me with an opportunity to be patient, so that I can practice patience. 

Willing to obey,

Mark C.

04-26-2012 Fixed

The one sitting on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new!" He said,

"Write this: 'These words are trustworthy and true.'"         Rev 21:5

            There was my friend Lew, confined by intravenous hoses and equipment, lying in a hospital bed, waiting for his last moments, in this life, to be completed. Sitting in a chair nearby was Lew’s daughter, Valerie, whom I had not met before, but had certainly heard about through Lew’s many boasting about “his daughter”. Interesting point Adonai, I don’t recall him calling her by her name before, just “my daughter”, proudly distinguishing her as not just another person, but as a cherished prodigy.

            Lord, as I walked into the dark room, I didn’t know how to help, what to do, what to say. Lew, even in his failing condition, took the lead. His face brightened and he reached for my hand. I could see a smile refusing to be contained by the oxygen mask over his mouth. Lew’s eyes and his still firm grip spoke for both of us. “It is good that we are here.”

            Still I wondered if You had a purpose for me in this place. I’ve been here before – with my mother, with friends not terminal, but certainly struggling with pain. What was I to do? Or was I just to be present? Such a difficult assignment for a man who has been taught all his life to fix what is broken – was Lew broken?

            It seemed right, at that moment, to better introduce myself to Valerie. I explained that her father and I attended a Sunday School class together and that he was a great inspiration to me; that we had shared fellowship, books and great conversations. She responded, saying she was so glad I had come and that her dad had not been this alert for a while. She apparently saw an opportunity and came to sit on the other side of the bed and spoke to her father.

            She began by explaining to him, that my presence seemed to have helped him and that, since he was improved, they needed to talk about “the next decisions”. She then reminisced about how Lew had helped her in her earlier years when she was not doing well with her hand writing. Now she helped others with their handwriting as a teacher. She described how, when she was learning to drive, he had taught her about warning lights – green, yellow and red – and that had really helped her in other parts of her life too.

“Now is a time of warning lights for us, Dad”, she continued. She described his time in the hospital, having friends and family constantly visiting, as “good moments” and that a warning light was signaling this would soon change – they would have to make some decisions about his quality of life as his breathing became more difficult. She patiently and lovingly laid out the plan for his transition, allowing him time to nod or shake his head as she offered difficult, but necessary choices.

            Suddenly, as I held Lew’s hand and listened, I had one of “Your moments”. You know the ones Rabbi, when You shine a brilliant light into my heart of hearts and whisper softly, “Don’t miss this.”, and shockwaves flow through my soul. The blurry picture before me focused perfectly. I heard Lew’s wisdom, his beautiful solid voice of reason, coming out of the mouth of “his daughter”. The words were not hers…or even his. They were Yours, originally seeded into my friend through his life experiences, fed and nurtured years later into Valerie through her life experiences and now, tenderly given back as a matured flowering gift to their original planter: Lew speaking to Lew through his beloved child. You were telling him; You were telling all three of us, “See, I make all things new.”

I can only pray for such a day, when You bless my children, my family, my friends to speak into me in this way; revealing what I have yearned to offer them over the years – the only thing of true value I have to offer – Your love and relationship.

            Had I helped to somehow on Lew’s behalf? Was Lew broken? Does it matter? Not anymore. My Brother in Christ is now on the other side – no distractions, no suffering, no trials to bear. He is healed – the Greek word that you, Jesus, used was iaomai – to be made whole.         Lew is made whole – dancing, rejoicing and focused on what still is the only thing of true value in life; Your love and relationship.

            I miss him Lord. Now what do I have? What do the friends and family of Lew have of him? Oh…right…I remember: we have the flowering messages You spoke to us, through him. We have life pictures of a man who had struggled with cancer for many years…no that doesn’t describe it well enough…who had accepted his affliction and turned it, as he did everything in his rich life, into an opportunity to witness, even to nurses, doctors and others as he lay in a hospital bed. We have an example of an ever positive, ever Up-looking man through whom You used to constantly demonstrate Your love and healing power.

            You have made Lew whole…fixed, and I am fixed with him.

Thank you God for the memory and gift of my friend, Lew.

Mark A. Cornelius

4-12-2012 Rocks of Ages

Standing Stones on the Gospel Trail

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

      1 Peter 2:4-8

Ancient City of Shechum

It’s the number one crop of the country, Lord; so many are available that anyone can have one (or many) for the asking. Hewn and worn with purpose: You gave specific instructions on their use, even emphasizing altars be built to Your honor made from this material – already prepared by Your hand, not in any way retooled by our efforts.  Ancient battles were won and lost by their use as weapons; condemnation was executed with these as the preferred tool of execution. Buildings and empires rest on their foundations.

Korazim

Even You, Unchanging Creator, have been compared metaphorically to their qualities. And you, Jesus, though thought of as a carpenter, in reality would have worked less with trees (there just aren’t that many!) and more as a “tekton” carving and working with this resource for construction.

Of what do I speak? Rocks, of course.

Tel Megido

As we traveled through The Land, it became crystal clear that rocks are what the land is all about. The structures of old were fashioned; monuments to great moments of conviction were erected: using stones of all sizes. There is nowhere to turn, even on the most fertile plain where rocks do not influence and define the culture and the history.

Temple Ruins in Jerusalem

Where am I going with all of this, Adonai?  What I saw of Israel taught me that it is the stone that lasts, it is the rock that instructs; these are the enduring concrete of Your plan that will not break down.

Rock of my salvation; is the picture of stones over the landscape crucial to my own shaping? Could it be You are telling me that I too am nothing but hard spiritual matter to be worked over a lifetime? You have carved me differently, just as You have crafted each soul to Your desire.  And so, just as each building and structure wears the signature of its builder, I too carry Your mark.

Ruins near Mt. of the Beatitudes

Samaria

 It appears then, even in a in a vast field, strewn seemingly with random rocks of no importance, each has a unique purpose in Your plan. Even this small stone – who sometimes feels lost and unimportant among greater ones which You have worked – is cared for and cherished, just as You have cherished all the others throughout history.

Qumran

I am blessed then to be a Living Stone to Your honor, Rock of Ages.  I stand as a testimony to the incredible love You display. Demonstrating that even a pebble in Your hands can be used to topple giants, build bridges of healing and exclaim to the world that Your covenant of love with Your people is...rock solid.

Amen.

4-4-2012 Oh, by The Way

As he was drawing near--already on the way down the Mount of Olives--the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples."

Garden at Mount of Olives

He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."

And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

Luk 19:37-44 

Elohim, I’m having some difficulty keeping the “lens” correctly focused. I’m not even sure my spiritual camera is pointed in the right direction.

It’s a memory I’m looking at:

Triumphant Entry Path

We’ve just come out of the Church of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives and we’re walking toward the Old City of Jerusalem.  Mike, our faithful tour guide mentions, “Oh by the way. This is part of the path that we believe Jesus took on his triumphant entry.”

Wait, stop. I look around me to capture the moment. The path, a narrow road…make that almost an alley…winds downward as we get closer to the bottom of the Kidron Vally. Cars are actually using this passage and as they come from both directions we have to squeeze to the side. I remember wondering if this is a two way road and what would happen if two vehicles came at the same time from opposite directions.

But here we are. You, my Savior, riding on a donkey, the crowds shouting “Hosanna”! This is when everyone expected you to step up to the plate and hit your home run, turning the Romans and the Ruling Class into puddles of nothing. This is where you wept.

Church in Kidron Valley

And yet it is considered an “Oh, by the way” moment? It makes me wonder, what else I’m minimalizing or missing altogether, because it seems secondary, when in fact, it could be the most important of things,

For instance, the Resurrection: No Father in Heaven, I’ve not forgotten that Jesus died on the cross and was raised again, but I do tend to mistranslate WHY it happened.

My temptation is to leave the focus of my lens on the fact that you, Savior, died for me and for all mankind, that I and the world might be saved. That’s not a bad thing…is it? But it begs the question: Saved…for WHAT?

Worshipers at the Western Wall

At Easter time our family gets all dressed up, we climb into the car and travel to a beautiful ceremony with lots of others who look a lot like us. There we sing and praise You for redeeming us and dying for our sins and all of that great stuff…but then we drive off in our cars with all that great stuff in our heads and…do nothing with it!

“:WHAT”, some may ask, “are we to do with this stuff?” I confess, Living God, I have asked this too.

Is it about us – what You have done for us? How we are changed, how we are secured for eternity? Was that the purpose of you Jesus, bringing your message, standing firm as God and Man, and not budging from that message even when bloodied and beaten and tortured and killed? Was it just so we could get a “condemnation pass” if we believe all that?

Or is the focus something else entirely? Could the focus be…You?

Maybe I’m making too fine a point here, Lord (I’ve been accused of doing so at other times), but I think, not – only because I know this one from scripture and experience. Even the ancient Israelites got wrapped up in their worship procedures and rules and their outcomes rather than their Creator. Even I get caught up in what benefits and privileges I get out of the deal, instead of…?

…Instead of living in a world where it is not I who receives the glory for what has been done. Shouldn’t I be glorifying You who did this thing? Shouldn’t that be my “soul” purpose, 24/7? The Crucifixion and Resurrection (parts of an intentional plan for the fullness of time, designed from a beginning we can’t truly comprehend); don’t they point with laser like focus to the one who did the dying and the resurrecting? Aren’t I supposed to be the one weeping (NOT YOU!) with my face to the ground worshiping Your magnificence? Is that what everyone else is doing and have I just missed my focus?

Sign on door inside Garden Tomb

Resurrection day is not about my bounty or my wish for You to change the world. The world IS changed, I AM CHANGED…but I’m living as if it’s not all that important. I excuse myself from telling anyone, EVERYONE, that YOU are GOD and there is no other! HURRY, come with me to the tomb – see? HE IS RISEN INDEED! 

The world tells me I am misbehaving when I speak more loudly than a whisper about You. I must be silent and courteous in order for my belief to be tolerated.

Oh by the way. 

You are The Way, The Truth and The Light. If Resurrection is to be about You, then I can’t validate any other god – not even myself.

If I believe this, I can’t live the other 364 days of the year as if You are still hidden in the tomb, afraid to come out, lest You embarrass or offend someone.

Sea Of Galilee-near Chapel of the Primacy

After all, I am your slave, aren’t I?

Tell me how to worship You, show me where to worship You. Convict me to put away my selfish desire, my fearful ways, and follow You, the Risen Lord Jesus, Savior and King of the Universe: no matter what, no matter where or when.

Resurrection Blessings to my Lord; my Focus,

Mark A. Cornelius