6-23-2013 Border Security

 “Give ear, and hear my voice; give attention, and hear my speech.

      
      Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground? When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer as the border?

      
      For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him.”    

Isaiah 28:23-26

El Shaddai, this passage speaks to me today because of the turmoil regarding the land in which I live and also the struggle in Your land―Israel. The two countries and their issues appear different on the surface, but as I consider more deeply I see striking similarities.

Here in the United States, a debate rages as to whom, rights and privileges should be delegated. Who in the country has rights? Who is the administrator of those rights and based on our founding documents, what latitude do they possess in determining the scope of said blessings/benefits?

In Israel a similar question persists. Who is the possessor of the land and its benefits? By what rights do they possess, by whose authority do they claim ownership and what documents /history support these claims?

The beliefs and arguments of opposing factions suggest that neither country, nor its occupants will quickly resolve their differences. I could easily be discouraged by what I believe to be an erosion of foundational positions that will cause both my country and Your Land to forget and abandon their origins.

But that would not be taking into account, the power of the pinnacle factor that our countries share. That factor is You. Master, there will be those who will read these words and cry foul. “No fair, bringing the god factor into this argument. What about those of us who don’t believe any god has a dog in this fight?”

I would not argue with those people―they have chosen, and so have I. As for me and my house, we will serve You, YHWH. Argument between believers and non-believers on this point is moot, yet it is the determining factor of my life’s choices. All of my decision from that first decision―to believe in, worship and obey You―determine all of my other decisions.

So that, when I hear a Jew say, “I am a Jew by culture, belief in YHWH is not necessary for me to claim my birthright as a citizen,” my mind gets caught in a question, “Being born, makes one human, possibly even allows citizenship according to manmade laws in certain countries, but does it give someone a cultural/ historical right to claim a title that You God bestowed on a people who chose consciously to believe in and honor You?”

The question ironically speaks as loudly to me in this country. Our foundation includes a declaration that recognizes You as our Creator. Yet, I’m told not to bring my religious baggage to the table even though we revere a constitution which states loudly; belief in God will not be influenced, inhibited or obstructed by the laws of the land. So the question for me becomes, “How can I be a true citizen of a country that claims a Creator, but does not allow the belief in that Creator to be expressed and lived out in the course of everyday events?  

Lord I’m not a farmer, but I did marry a farmer’s daughter. And having to some degree helped out on the farm, I understand the Isaiah passage listed in the beginning of this blog prayer from a different perspective.

Each crop that is planted on a plot of land has a place and a purpose. Some of the seeds are not only to grown to feed the planter, but also to guard the other crops from weeds; some enrich the soil to support other crops and some create a border to define the land as You, God ordain.  

Adonai, your Word surrounds me and protects my borders―I am Yours to command regardless of other’s approval or disapproval. Those who share the place which You have blessed us to reside serve a purpose as well, whether the purpose is known to them or not: It is Your purpose and Your plan. Your desire and Your judgment based on our obedience or our rebellion.

Therefore, I pray for Your purpose and plan Lord to be done. I pray that You continue as You always have to make You presence and Your will crystal clear to all the inhabitants of the land, through Your Word and Your Spirit. I pray also that You continue to speak to, dwell with and strengthen me and all who recognize You―emboldening us to be a blessings of light and salt to our neighbors and the world.

Lord I also pray the same for Israel which I consider my true home. I ask that You continue to work in the hearts of all Your people to help bring about Your ultimate plan of a Kingdom where Your infinite glory, holiness and loving kindness are the only boundaries―the definition of our house, our land, our lives in You.

Mark C.

5-16-2013 Unexpected Joy

Dome of the Church of the Annunciation

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Luke 1:46-49

Lord, in my mind I’m back in The Land, and I’m reminded of Nazareth; of the unexpected and the unexplained. Mary shares her thoughts with the angel when told she will be the mother of God:

“How is this to be since I am a virgin?

Besides the fact that this young girl even had the courage to engage in a one on one conversation with a celestial being, to me there is no question as to Mary’s personal concern:

“I’m a small town girl, how am I going to explain my pregnancy to my family and community?”

Stained Glass in Church of the Annunciation

            Your answer to her was to detail only what other plans You had in store – amazing things including her giving birth to a messiah for the world. You never addressed her worries. You simply asked for obedience. After all, You are God, You provide all that is necessary to accomplish Your desires. And Mary responded in a remarkable way. “I am your handmaiden (your servant) Lord, do with me as You will.”

The unexpected is Your expertise Adonai – as Mary witnessed, as I have witnessed. To the unexpected, we typically respond in very expected ways – How can this be? How can I possibly do what You’re asking me to do? Why are You asking me to do something so difficult, so different, so…unexpected?

And now, once again You are asking me to serve You in an unexpected way – one I would not have predicted. You know how Patti and I hunger to lead a group to Israel. You know our excitement regarding The Land and Your people. You have heard our prayers and seen our action. Now You reply:

Entrance to Church of the Annunciation

“I have other plans for you.”

What are You saying? Are we not obedient enough, not prepared enough, not…qualified or good enough? And suddenly I realize I have phrased my response in the negative. Instead of seeking out Your greater purpose, my temptation is to suggest You are trying to tell me, “no”, when in fact, You are saying, “There is more to this than You can possibly imagine.”

Mary comprehended this. She understood that You are a big God. I read of her understanding – even after being ostracized by her betrothed husband Joseph, she exclaimed to Elizabeth, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit cries out within me.” In other words, I’ve found joy in the midst of chaos.

Mary didn’t ask for the position she received. She received the position You asked her to fulfill. Can I, Lord, look beyond my selfishness to Your purpose? Can I stop trying to justify my desires because I think they are in Your best interest, and instead offer myself for whatever You request? As the angel said to Mary, “All things are possible with God.”

Door inside Church of the Annunciation depicting the  Gospel

El Shaddai, once I shared with others, our realization that our planned trip to Israel would have to be postponed; two fascinating things occurred:

First, a number of people exclaimed, “Good, because we’d like to join your journey, but it’s just not possible this year – next year looks much better.”

Second, my son called and stated he and his fiancé plan to come home from Korea to marry during the time we were to be in Israel.

            Were people saying the timing was not good, just to make us feel better? Is the timing of my son’s wedding coincidence? I believe not. You’ve known all along what plans You have for us and now that we’ve gotten out of the way, You will show us how great those plans are.

Sunrise in Bethlehem

At the time Mary sang her Magnificat, she was still condemned by her culture for her behavior and she had yet to understand or see the full extent of Your intentions. Yet she was overcome with joy. By her example I anticipate great things and now also recognize my joy in obedience.

And so we  thank You, Messiah – You have once again reveled how vast and yet personal You are; how all encompassing, yet intimate. The unexpected joy at such a time as this causes our souls to magnify You and our spirits cries out – “I am loved and ready to obey!”  

4-25-2013 Offended

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely accuse you of all kinds of evil because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

                     Matthew 5:11-12

Lord, I have to admit, I should have expected this, but I simply wasn’t prepared. You’ve warned me it would happen and yet I think deep within my soul dwells a sense of naivety – I didn’t want the possibility to exist. I have discovered just how blind to the reality I’ve been.

            Several days ago, I was leaving work and greeted a person who works in another department. He is a confessed agnostic at best, viewing Your existence as only a possibility; defining Your character as removed and isolated from the day-to-day events in our lives. The concept of Your desiring interaction with us has no meaning for him.

His history with Christianity is unpleasant and this well-read skeptic appears to spend a lot of time reading and researching what he believes to be evidence of all religions’ ill effect on the world.    

Master, as You know, I’ve had numerous conversations with this young man in the past and I’ve shared my testimony with him, not pressing for conversion, but sharing, as best as I’ve been able, how You have changed my life.

            Up to this point, It’s been me answering his questions. I had a genuine hope that, in spite of whatever injury from others he has experienced in the past, maybe, just maybe I could show him how a true relationship with You (as opposed to some ceremonial ritual or declaration) can impact one individual.

            But on this particular day, the young man lashed out. “I believe You Christians actually want the rest of us to go to this hell you say exists.

            He went on to condemn me based not necessarily on my actions, but on what he claimed were the insensitive acts of an unjust God: War, famine, earthquakes, poverty, and of course on the examples of those who have committed atrocities in Your name. He went on to pronounce me guilty by association with anyone who claimed their actions to be authorized by You. Some issues he listed (the Crusades being an obvious lightning rod), I’ve had struggles with as well.

I wanted to explain to him that I know, as often happens; righteous beginnings are frequently twisted into disastrous results through mankind perverting Your intentions and desire.   I wanted to share mutual regret with him, but at that moment, he stepped over the line, “I reject a Judeo Christian God. I’m offended by you and your God who would allow such cruelty to others.”

The anger in him towards me and You was palpable. I think at that moment Adonai, I acquired a better appreciation for the persecution of the Jews and martyrs of Christianity. I felt sadness for both my adversary and myself – there would be no opportunity for exploring with one another, Your incredible loving kindness.

When the young man made his declaration, blaming the world's condition on me and You, my God, I wanted also to blame someone! Was it him? Was it those who have misrepresented You over the course of history.

Then a thought hit me. Am I indeed at fault? I need to be alert and honest from the standpoint that I do engage in actions, speak words and frequently leave things undone that adversely affect others. I don’t need to be guilty by association – I’ve got my own baggage and regrets I can easily confess.

OK, YHWH, I understand my involvement in all of this, but what got my attention was that I found myself also being offended by the young man’s accusation against You. I wanted to speak truth, into the man – that You do NOT have baggage; You instead have a plan to dispose of my baggage. You are God, not an offending party.

Then I realized that, all he was measuring You by―what most people measure You by―are the actions and inactions of Your followers.

In life, I will be the offender – it doesn’t matter, only You matter and I need to remember that. As a Christ Follower, with You completing my incomplete and pathetic efforts, I’m viewed by others through a prism of contempt, measured by a standard I can neither live up to nor escape: Only you Yeshua have measured up – and for that you were crucified!

Messiah, even in that moment of death, you offered forgiveness. I may not ever be forgiven by the young man, but the model I’ll follow is yours – I forgive him.  With Your help I'll work at not being offended – instead, I’ll strive even more to become a testimony to others of Your love as You are a testimony of love to me!

            Do I feel persecuted? Yes. It’s a strange sensation for I believe with all my heart that I am striving to better serve my fellow man as You, my God have taught me to do. I would hope that the world would recognize that desire. I would hope they’d recognize that same striving by Your people in the land of Israel and that of Your people in the land where I currently reside and in the hearts all of Your people.

Whether by choice or blindness, the world of nonbelievers doesn’t recognize it. I need to accept it is the world’s problem – not Your intent.

            I get it, Lord. It means I not only must accept persecution as a reality, but that, the more I strive to follow Your way, the more I’ll be blamed without forgiveness for both my negligent actions and for those of my fellow believers.  I’ll even be blamed and judged harshly for believing in You and for serving righteously.

So, how will You have me follow Your intent Father – show me more – how do I live ­the lifestyle; dying to self yet living for You in such a way that world is inspired rather than offended? Spirit – I understand, it is You who inspires. My role is only to obey.

Persecution appears to be increasing in Israel, here, and throughout the world toward Your people. Lord, Your will is not always easy to follow, even as you, Yeshua demonstrated on the cross. So I ask for one thing from You to help me, to help all who offend through their belief in You.

Please give us Shalom to endure.

Mark C.

3-27-2013 Yada Haggadah

   I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
   There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.       Ephesians 4:1-6

Adonai, I’m witnessing a growing interest by Christians regarding the Feast and Festivals; Seder suppers and Shabbat celebrations appear to be on the rise; discussions concerning the true meaning of Torah and its relevance today are increasing. Sensitivity and attention to the country of Israel is increasing: What’s happening Lord, what is this Spiritual energy that is appears to be on the increase?

You continue to amaze. Just as You’ve awakened me to the incredible correlation of Your physical birth with the season of Hanukah; now You are broadening my understanding of the parallels between Passover/Pesach and the events leading up to Your Resurrection.

For those of the Jewish faith, there were several covenants You offered in return for their devotion. Among those covenants – You promised them a Land, You assured they would continuously multiply in number; You distinguished them by establishing a separate and distinct relationship with them, unlike any other on Earth.

And then through them, You became a man so that You could not only live with all of mankind, but also die for them.  It’s all written out, it’s all historically and spiritually set in stone. Not just a once-a-year Exodus story for Jewish children to hear, but a Universal Haggadah (a telling by You) of Salvation: From Genesis to Revelation; to the all of us – Jew and Gentile alike – for the choosing.

Master, I now see the vastness of Your plan and can no longer ignore or diminish the significant bond I share with my Jewish brothers and sisters. Without their messianic roots for Your created vine, I could not, would not be grafted into Your love. Without my witness of personal redemption; how can they see that You have indeed already risen for them as well? You never intended to save only a particular people or culture. But You did create a partnership with Israel’s decedents in order to demonstrate how anyone willing to obey and follow can be reclaimed to a relationship with You.

Elohim even in the midst of realization – recognizing the increased positive dialogue emerging among Your chosen – I sense spiritual confusion in the wind of our time. There is a growing effort on the part of some – in the Jewish, Christian, secular and para-faith communities – to create hostility and resentment within our ranks. They would minimalize the significance of all Your covenants through all time.

Is not the word “everlasting” symbiotically infused to Your agreements just as Your first people are bound to You? How can we depend on future eternity with You if we can’t rely on Your historical assurances?  

Which brings me full circle, El Shaddai – As Patti and I reach out to others about our hopes for a second mission trip to The Land, we have come to realize that we’re not the only ones in our community who are being convicted. Others’ eyes and ears are being opened to reconsider the relevance of Your first chosen people in relation to all Your chosen people; reaching out to better understand the connections, rather than the separations of faith between Jew and Christian. So many people we know are stirred, just as others were spiritually uplifted by the events of Your birth in a cave, and Your resurrection from a cave. Whether, skeptic or believer, Jew, Christian or other; none can deny the power of the message: There is a God who actually cares and He has a plan for redemption – choose to seek Him deeply or reject Him and perish.

Your message for me through all of this, Lord? I hear You saying loud and clear – “Now is the time. Experience the Telling…Yada Haggadah ! Honor all my covenants with all my people. Remember the order of them; remember My purpose and love for them just as I remember My purpose and love for you. Do it now, do it always.

You are at work Elohim, no doubt about it – just as in ancient days doorways were being prepared for Your power to reveal itself, so You are now telling us to unite as one family for Your return. The only question that remains – Are we ready, individually and as one people, to receive our King?

Adonai, Ahnee Yada, Adonai Ahnee Yadah (You Lord, I remember, You Lord, I praise),

Mark C.

1-14-13 Tracing the Source

Mosaic depiction of the Via Dolorosa walk

When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and obey his voice. For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.

For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of.   Deuteronomy 4:30-32

Ein Gedi Nature Trail

Conventional wisdom encourages me to look forward, freeing myself from the past and always considering the “New”.  Mankind is evolving, I’m told. Science is advancing; products and life are improving. Even the Good News associated with Your coming to walk the earth is proclaimed as the New Testament. What is it then Lord that causes me to keep glancing back?

I know that I’m not to live in the past, but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn from it, or that I shouldn’t study its purpose. Your scriptures reference time after time when You, Jesus, spoke scriptural history into the hearts of your audience.

Church of  The Annunciation

You alluded to the writings of Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel and many of the other prophets in order to reveal Yourself as Messiah. When you warned your disciples of the tribulation to come, suggesting a reference in Isaiah, we as believers are compelled to trust in that passage. When You Savior, said, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings,” referencing Hosea; we willingly acknowledge You and strive to follow Your example of mercy and grace.

So if you gave Your blessing to these scriptures in the Tenackh, as truth, what does that say of the entire writings of those same prophets? You, God of all wisdom, wouldn’t pick one piece of fruit from a tree without blessing the whole crop. You said it Yourself,

          

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”

Genesaret

Abraham's Tent

Am I to assume from Your endorsement of the prophets, that all they had to say is truth?  If one verse of one prophet’s pen is validated by You, Jesus, doesn’t that mean all the words of that Prophet must be taken as truth? Can I separate one from the other? 

So when You tell us to participate in specific feasts and festivals and then use the word “forever”, am I to ignore You? And when You command me to love my neighbor as myself referencing Deuteronomy, does that suggest I love them only when convenient to my purposes and only under the conditions I interpret to be necessary?

Source of the Jordan River

You, the Logos who created all things of this planet, once went to Jerusalem on the Feast of Booths (Sukkot) and proclaimed Yourself the source of Living Water. Because of Your reference to Zechariah, many on that day realized You to be the Messiah. Do I acknowledge the same? Is my faith rooted in scriptural prophecy, what does that mean regarding the truth of the rest of those messengers?

I don’t know why it has taken me so long to connect the dots relating to Your word, but now it makes sense: You Jesus had no hidden agenda –Your message concerning the prophecies and scripture is clear and precise;

Buy into all of it or be a part of none of it.

I was taught  in the Boy Scouts, Lord, that if you wanted to find the freshest (untainted, unpolluted) water, you would follow a river or stream to get as close as possible to its original source. Apparently the Boy Scouts learned that from You and I need to remember that You as creator, made no mistake in creating truth. If so, forgive me for my past efforts to deny Your truth and the scriptures that illuminate it.

Which brings us to the future, Master: If this Reverse Scriptural Reasoning applies to things which have happened, shouldn’t those Biblical verses pointing to times present and beyond also be taken seriously? What does that imply of Isaiah’s words:

On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven,                                       and the kings of the earth, on the earth.

…or when he explains:

Samaria

Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.

Am I to respond to Zachariah’s edict when he writes:

Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths.  And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them.

Cliffs of the Gospel Trail

Adonai, maybe, just maybe I’m not evolving. Perhaps the world is not improving, but is the same as it has always been. And maybe You, El Shaddai have been consistent and steady down to the least jot and tittle. If these things are true, then what else can be true? Who is it who must be willing to change in order to honor this truth…You, or me?

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD:                                      look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry                                                       from which you were dug. Isa 51:1

Bitcho bo (Trust in Him),

Mark C.

1-1-2013 Living Prophecy

Second Temple

 

And the man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in 

order  that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel."

                                                                                                           Ezekiel 40:4

Entrance to Church of Jacob's Well

All the Christmas festivities are history for 2012, El Shaddai and many might look at Your entire story in the same way – a history lesson rather than a living lesson. As Patti and I look toward the New Year, we pray that our walk with You is not one of hope based on how we have served, but rather based on how we will continue to honor You.

With that mindset we approach You now. We have felt called by You, to lead a group to visit Israel in the fall of 2013. We pray now that, if this is truly Your will; those interested in studying about and personally experiencing Living Prophecy in the country are provided with the conviction and resources necessary for such a journey.

Path to The Sea of Galilee

We ask that You guide us with wisdom and understanding; that all involved will be changed (as we continue to be changed) through actual contact with the people and the land. Keep us mindful of Your purpose and Your desire, that the world may know that You are God alone (Elohim echad) through our example passion to know You better.

We pray for our eyes to see and our ears to hear – in the name of Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior, who first walked and taught in the land, that we may learn and live by his example.

B’rakah, Adonai (Blessings, Lord),

Amen

12-8-2012 Brighteousness

What shall I say? For he has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. I walk slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul. O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live! Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back. For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness.  The LORD will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the LORD.                      Isaiah 38:15-20

Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil." Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people"; and let not the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree." For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant-- these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, "I will gather yet others to him      besides those already gathered." Isaiah 56:1-8

I was speaking with my friends Tommy and Chris about the challenge of reviving the dialogue between Christians and Jews – both, Your people Adonai, though each claims favoritism in Your sight. Tommy emphasized his ongoing efforts to enter into midrash – the quest for deeper understanding of Your spiritual/historical narrative – with Rabbis and Christian pastors, only to be rebuked by both. The Jewish people still resent how they have been treated throughout history by Christians, while we followers of Jesus, whether intentionally or by ignorance, have claimed false rights under a banner of Replacement Theology. Many in the Church today suggest that the Jews are “Non-players” in the End-Times story which is unfolding. After all, Your first chosen people reject Jesus as Messiah, how could they possibly still be acceptable in Your sight?

            Father in Heaven, it frustrates me to no end that we, as Christians, have become so dogmatic. In fact there appears to be more to the story than meets the casual study we have put into Your text. As well, the Hebrew spiritual culture has also drawn a spiteful line in the sand, claiming authority that does not appear (anywhere that I can find) to have been granted them in Your word.

            At this time of year especially, Your history presents an opportunity. I look at two celebrations: The Festival of Lights – Hanukkah; and that of the entry of Hope into the world in the birth of you, Jesus, whom we Christians claim as Messiah. Immediately Lord, alarm bells might be going off in the hearts and minds of those from both camps who may be reading these words. Each will wonder at the audacity to suggest any connection between these two events. And so I pray for Your midrash, not ours, to enter in.

As I understand, Hanukkah focuses on the efforts of the priest Matthias and his supporters during the Greek/Syrian occupation of Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem resisted and ultimately won a great victory establishing their right to worship You. During this revolt, the Temple mount had been desecrated and the priests barricaded themselves in the Temple in protest. Part of the rituals performed in the temple included keeping an eternal flame – Your light – burning at all times using consecrated oil. During the eight-day Temple blockade, only one vessel of oil – good for one day’s illumination – remained. The priests prayed and fasted during their occupation and You answered by keeping the flame lit for the eight-day duration – demonstrating to the people and to their aggressors, Your presence and commitment to honor Your covenant with Israel.

            To me, the celebration of Christmas centers on the birth of a child, Jesus of Nazareth, during the reign of Herod the Great. Prior to the birth, the child’s mother, named Mary, was visited by the Angel Gabriel and told that she would conceive a child, through Your Spirit, who would fulfill the Messianic prophesies – weaving an extraordinarily human component into the telling – offering great hope for mankind, even speaking of a star, guiding kings and dignitaries from foreign lands, to offer tribute and honor to the child who would one day also be proclaimed Savior and King.

            So how does it start – the dialogue and quest for unity - the willingness to find the deeper meaning You have always meant for all of us to possess? How do we join with our Jewish brothers and sisters – our “kin” – in the hunger to understand Your desire? What (or who) can change our hearts and compel us to take first steps together onto common ground? Only Your Spirit, of course, has the ability to move us in the same direction. Are we ready to hear… to “Shema”?

I’m certainly not the first to connect the dots regarding these two events, El Shaddai. Others have noted the reference to light and Your Shekinah Glory – Your tangible presence – being involved in both Hanukkah and Christmas. You, The God of the universe doing something no-one would expect, reaching out with a plan to save people – who don’t deserve saving – from physical and spiritual desolation.

But being first or last to recognize the power of Your love is not enough. It’s what we do now with Your love received. HaShem, prayer appears to be where understanding and common ground always begin. What would happen if Jews and Christians actually prayed together for enlightenment regarding one another’s traditions and beliefs? What could happen if we found commonality in Your words and Your blessing for all of us? What might each of us learn and how might we be inspired?

            I have no idea because, frankly, I’m just a voice crying in the wilderness. I don’t hear many others asking these questions or wanting the answers.

            You, Master, in Your wisdom created light so that we could see to become righteous. And that righteousness, in Your eyes, requires us to walk with our eyes open – not only to make sure we’re headed the right direction in seeking You, but I suspect also to avoid bumping into all the others that You are inviting to Your table. As I heard my friends discussing the dilemma of dialogue between Old and New Testament, a new word popped into my head: “Brighteousness” – the sight of those who walk, regardless of their past, toward a completed understanding of Your kingdom to come.

            So Elohim, I pray for a beginning – where two or more gathered, might grow to become a multitude of worshipers, all as one, reaching out, all seeking Your love. All finding in Your ancient scripture, new revelation: tearing down the walls of separation and denominations; inviting to both Jew and Gentile, reconciliation and restoration.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Brighteousness to all His children,

Mark C.

Zevah ha-shelamim (Join me in sacrifice)!