Mark Beeson

40 Days Rigging Our Sails / Day 9 / Prov. 9

 

 

The Word of GOD is crucial to our survival. 

Here's an illustration of the value of GOD's Word.
Jesus fasted forty days and when the devil suggested food would satisfy, he answered the devil, “The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.’”

Wisdom is found in GOD's Word. Wisdom has always been found in GOD's Word. That's why I'm posting this picture of a 5th Century Palimpsest Codex secreted away in the vast collection of ancient manuscripts at St. Catherine's Monastery; it's a reminder of how treasured the scriptures have been for millennia. (You can read my 2010 blog post about this handwritten Syriac translation of the Gospels here.)

We're reading GOD's Word today. We'll fast between 4:00-5:00, feast on the Proverbs 9, remember GOD is with us and "go in the way of understanding." 

Hoist your sails friends and catch the Wind of GOD.

  

 

Proverbs 9:3b-6

Wisdom cries out from the highest places of the city,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
“Come, eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.

 

 

Day CAMP Success!

 

 

Great news!

705 registered campers participated in one of our three SpringHill Day Camps. Partial scholarships made camp possible for many of our children and the funds underwriting their scholarships were available because of your sacrificial offerings. 

Your righteousness is paving the way.

Well done. 

 

Isaiah 58:7-9

What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
    sharing your food with the hungry,
    inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
    putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
    being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
    and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
    The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
    You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, "Here I am." 

 

40 Days Rigging Our Sails / Day 8 / Prov. 8

 

 

I assume Jesus entered Jerusalem through The Lion's Gate when He was taken from prison to the site of his crucifixion. If so, this is the way of the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Suffering.

Before we set foot in Israel last month, I knew The Lion's Gate was also called The Sheep Gate (because it opened the way to the sheep markets where lambs were sold for sacrifice in the Temple). I also knew John the Baptist identified Jesus as, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," so when Sheila and I walked through this gateway, I was bearing the weight of Jesus' words: "I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved."

I went through this gate at the entrance to The Old City listening. I wanted to hear from GOD ... and I did.

I want to hear from GOD again.

My chief difficulty can be getting myself to slow down enough to attend to Wisdom's instruction, so, again today, I'm making space between 4:00 and 5:00 to experience GOD and hear the important things Wisdom has to tell me. 

  

Proverbs 8:1-6b

Listen as Wisdom calls out!
    Hear as understanding raises her voice!
On the hilltop along the road,
    she takes her stand at the crossroads.
By the gates at the entrance to the city,
    on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
“I call to you, to all of you!
    I raise my voice to all people.
You simple people, use good judgment.
    You foolish people, show some understanding.
Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.

 

 

40 Days Rigging Our Sails / Day 7 / Prov. 7

 

-  Photo by Dustin Maust - 

Fast from 4:00-5:00 today. Pray GOD's Spirit empowers you to "live well," according to the instruction of Proverbs 7.  

 

Proverbs 7

Dear friend, do what I tell you;
    treasure my careful instructions.
Do what I say and you’ll live well.
    My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it!
Write it out on the back of your hands;
    etch it on the chambers of your heart.
Talk to Wisdom as to a sister.
    Treat Insight as your companion.
They’ll be with you to fend off the Temptress—
    that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress.

As I stood at the window of my house
    looking out through the shutters,
Watching the mindless crowd stroll by,
    I spotted a young man without any sense
Arriving at the corner of the street where she lived,
    then turning up the path to her house.
It was dusk, the evening coming on,
    the darkness thickening into night.
Just then, a woman met him—
    she’d been lying in wait for him, dressed to seduce him.
Brazen and brash she was,
    restless and roaming, never at home,
Walking the streets, loitering in the mall,
    hanging out at every corner in town.

She threw her arms around him and kissed him,
    boldly took his arm and said,
“I’ve got all the makings for a feast—
    today I made my offerings, my vows are all paid,
So now I’ve come to find you,
    hoping to catch sight of your face—and here you are!
I’ve spread fresh, clean sheets on my bed,
    colorful imported linens.
My bed is aromatic with spices
    and exotic fragrances.
Come, let’s make love all night,
    spend the night in ecstatic lovemaking!
My husband’s not home; he’s away on business,
    and he won’t be back for a month.”

Soon she has him eating out of her hand,
    bewitched by her honeyed speech.
Before you know it, he’s trotting behind her,
    like a calf led to the butcher shop,
Like a stag lured into ambush
    and then shot with an arrow,
Like a bird flying into a net
    not knowing that its flying life is over.

So, friends, listen to me,
    take these words of mine most seriously.
Don’t fool around with a woman like that;
    don’t even stroll through her neighborhood.
Countless victims come under her spell;
    she’s the death of many a poor man.
She runs a halfway house to hell,
    fits you out with a shroud and a coffin.

 

40 Days Rigging Our Sails / Day 6 / Prov. 6

 

 

Rise and shine!

You're invited to join thousands of us in a 40 Day Experience of GOD. 

Today we are praying, reading Chapter 6 of Proverbs and fasting from food (for sixty minutes) as we ask GOD to fill us with His Spirit.

It doesn't matter when we read the text today and we can pray at any time, but during the hour between 4:00 and 5:00 we'll be united, sharing our fast and feasting only on The Bread of Heaven.

  

Proverbs 6: 9-11

So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?
    How long before you get out of bed?
A nap here, a nap there,
a day off here, a day off there,
    sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?
Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,
    poverty your permanent houseguest!

 

40 Days Rigging Our Sails / Day 5 / Prov. 5

 

 

Surrender an hour to the Lordship of Jesus. 

Read Proverbs 5 today and be filled with GOD's Wisdom. Eat nothing between 4:00 and 5:00 and ask Our Lord for the experience of His Presence and Power. 

It was good for me to read this text of scripture today. The bold words of warning about the pitfalls of immorality are so blunt they're shocking. 

  

Proverbs 5:18-19  -  Be happy with your wife and find your joy with the woman you married — pretty and graceful as a deer. Let her charms keep you happy; let her surround you with her love.

 

40 Days Rigging Our Sails / Day 4 / Prov. 4

 

 

 

Proverbs 4:26-27  -  Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe. Don’t sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.

 

40 Days of Rigging Our Sails / Day 3 / Prov. 3

 

 

It's already Day 3 of our 40 Day Experience of GOD and today we're reading a couple of the verses Sheila and I cherish (not that we don't cherish them all, but Proverbs 3:5-6 have unique meaning for us).

• Sometime today, read Proverbs 3 and seek GOD's Truth.
• Pray for GOD's Spirit, Wisdom, Presence and Power.
• Unite with thousands of us and eat no food during the hour between 4:00-5:00 PM.

I pray our strength increases as we fill our 4:00-5:00 hour with radical openness to GOD.

This is your time; make space in your life to acknowledge Him.  

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

 

40 Days of Rigging Our Sails / Day 2 / Prov. 2

  

 

It's Day #2 of our 40 Day commitment to set our sails for the Wind of God.

The power to move is in the wind, not our sails. We know we must rig our sails to catch the wind; if we don't we won't experience its power.

Join thousands of GCC'ers for the month of July. We're deploying our sails (making space to experience GOD) each day.

• Between 4:00-5:00 PM - Invite GOD to fill you. Open that hour to receive GOD'S Love, Truth and Power. With GOD's help, live like Jesus for that hour.
• Eat nothing between 4:00-5:00 PM. Hunger only for the Bread of Life.
• At some convenient time during your day, thoughtfully read one chapter of Proverbs and pray. Feast on GOD's Word. If you can't do that between 4:00-5:00 PM, do it when you can.

Are your sails up?

 

Proverbs 2:20  -  Follow the example of good people and live an honest life.

 

 

40 Days of Rigging Our Sails / Day 1 / Proverbs 1

 

 

We begin today.

GCC is engaging 40 days in unity: fasting from all food from 4:00-5:00 each day, reading a chapter of Proverbs each day and praying we'll experience GOD's presence each day. 

I'm praying the Spirit of GOD will fill your sails with the power, love and truth you need to move your life towards the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Proverbs 1:7  -  The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.

 

Garden of Gethsemane

 

 

A few weeks ago I was at the Garden of Gethsemane with about 4 dozen GCC'ers. Dr. Bob was there with me. He read the scriptures and reflected on our salvation, which he suggested was established there. Under the weight and pressure of our sin, Jesus prayed and accepted GOD's will. He then went to the cross to demonstrate GOD's love. Bob said Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Not my will, but yours," sealed our future.

The experience gripped me; I was overwhelmed.

A couple of these Olive Trees were already hundreds of years old when Jesus prayed there. I wondered, "Did Jesus touch these trees? Did GOD in-the-flesh lean back and rest his head against one of these trees? Did the Son of God lay his hand on one of these trees, trees that He made?" 

I couldn't take it in. It was too much for me. I had no capacity to apprehend the pressure Jesus was under. I could not imagine choosing to bear the crushing weight of the sins of the whole world; such love, in the face of our rebellion, is inexplicable.

I wrote in my Journal (and, yes, I sometimes use CAPS in my Journal):

"GOD is GOD and I am not. How much better will it be if I spend my life proclaiming WHO GOD IS and WHAT GOD HAS DONE, rather than trying to explain WHAT GOD DOES and HOW GOD DOES IT?"

 

 

Matthew 26:38-39  -  Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

 

 

"Opportunity" Meets "Water Slide"

 

 

Camper-after-camper saw an opportunity to cling to an inner-tube for a white-knuckled ride down the awesome water slide at SpringHill. Those who seized their opportunity had a blast.

I noted this in my Journal:

“For a lot of kids, I think summer camp with SpringHill is ‘the opportunity of a lifetime.’ But how can anyone seize ‘the opportunity of a lifetime’ if they don’t see it?”

 

Matthew 20:33  -  They said, “Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!”

 

Communicating Sacred Worth

 

 

This moved me. 

Christian Wittendorf made certain all his kids were aboard and then walked back to their bus window for an encouraging last-minute goodbye. The kids saw him outside their window and they went nuts, waving and cheering so he would notice them.

Everybody wants someone they esteem to notice them.
Everyone hopes their worth will be affirmed.
Everybody wants to feel valued and loved.

Christian stretched out his hand for a goodbye wave and then he did something that impressed me; he jumped up to place his hand on theirs. It was a final touch through the window. They wanted their counselor's affirmation and he gave it.

In one way or another, every counselor did what Christian did; all week long they gave everything they had to help their campers take steps toward Christ, then they sent them home with a reminder of their sacred worth. 

Even the last few seconds of camp are fantastic.  

 

Acts 20:27-28  -  I’ve done my best for you, given you my all, held back nothing of God’s will for you. Now it’s up to you. Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.

 

Explain This ...

 

 

You could glance at this picture and explain it this way:

"While the others run from Godzilla, one brave camper calmly waits for the monster to get within striking distance a Jedi Light-Saber." 

Nope.

These campers aren't running from Godzilla. They're playing a game. And the kid peacefully sitting on the ground is as involved in the fun as the campers running past. 

My point? 

It's easy to make naïve assumptions about people instead of asking clarifying questions. Jumping to conclusions is almost always easier than seeking Truth.

Uninformed conjecture isn't always a big deal, but if we damage relationships, discount others or hurt people because we "just assumed...," we'll end up with a pile of regrets.

Be wise in your judgements today.
Get the facts.
Ask questions instead of making assumptions.
Care enough to seek Truth. 

 

1 Kings 3:23a  -  Then the king said, “Let’s get the facts straight."

 

 

Camp Is Heading To The 5:00 PM Saturday Service!

 

John Keim (Pastor of Granger's Student Ministry) is putting the wraps on our week at SpringHill. The buses are loading and the camp is coming home to participate in the 5:00 PM Worship Service at the Granger Campus. You're invited to be a part of the experience. 

See you at 5:00.  

 

John Keim (Pastor of GSM for GCC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 116:12-13

What can I give back to God
    for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it together with his people. 

 

 

What Do You Pray For Your Children?

 

When you pray and ask GOD to bless your children, what do you pray?

If you've been praying your children will know peace, joy, love and life-giving community with GOD's Church, you'll discover a big part of GOD's answer to your prayers is experienced with Granger's Student Ministry and Granger's Kid's Ministry. 

 

 

LIke most of you, I pray for my children according to their stage of life, so when they entered the generally terrifying, pre-pubescent stage of Middle School adolescent craziness, I prayed the following:

• I prayed they would learn what enriches life and choose it.
• I prayed my kids would stay on the road, always careful not to swing outside the rumble-strips and guardrails of The Narrow Way that leads to life.
• I prayed they would have trustworthy coaches and mentors who could help them live an abundant life in Christ.
• I prayed they would have good friends who would lift them toward Jesus and help them take their next steps toward Christ. 
• I prayed my kids would be disciples of Jesus and live their lives in the Church, as faithful servants of GOD.

Summer Camp was a big part of GOD's answer to my prayers and if you've prayed for a camper this week, when they get home (and sleep for 2 or 3 days) I think you'll discover GOD used camp to answer your prayers too. 

 

Matthew 19:13  -  One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them.

 

Well Led Creatives

 

Trace Rorie led a remarkable team of musicians and artists this week, orchestrating their various gifts with care and precision. He blessed them, loved them and called the very best out of them. As a result, Trace's ensemble of gifted creatives took the entire camp into GOD-honoring worship.

It was my privilege to follow Trace this week. I trust him. I knew he would help me worship Jesus (which I want to do), and I knew he would help your kids worship Jesus too. 

 

Trace Rorie

Ryan Taylor

Tyler Sutch

Riley Robbins

Don Reynolds

Mark Richards

 

Psalm 147:1  -  It’s a good thing to sing praise to our God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting.

 

Large Herds of Middle School'ers

 

I'm not sure if they're found in Packs, Flocks, Schools, Prides or Herds, but when hundreds of Middle School'ers gather in one place there are only two options available to those caught in their Swarm: enjoy them or study them. During the course of my 44 years of Middle School Camp I've done my share of research on adolescent development and I've learned this: "I enjoy being with them, even if I can't explain them."

With that said, I'm posting a few pictures for you to enjoy ... whether you can explain them or not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Ecclesiastes 11:9  

You who are young,
Make the most of your youth.
Relish your youthful vigor.
Follow the impulses of your heart.
If something looks good to you, pursue it.
But know also that not just anything goes;
You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.

 

 

Wednesday / Thursday RECAP

 

 

I love everything about Camp: the activities, conversations, worship services, games and mealtimes. I love the counselors, staff, leaders and campers. I especially cherish Commitment Night, when everyone has an opportunity to take their next step toward Christ ... together. 

Dustin Maust collected our video clips from the last 36 hours and edited them to produce another incredible summary of our last few hours of camp, including the worship service last night. He also shot a lot of the video. His genius astounds me. 

Watch and meditate on these praiseworthy things. 

 

Philippians 4:8  -  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any thing praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

 

 

Tuesday / Wednesday RECAP

 

 

 

Dustin has another video to share! I love these kids and I love Dustin's creative updates on their summer camp shenanigans.

Please keep praying. We have several more days of opportunity to take steps toward Christ ... together. 

We are on our way.

 

Numbers 10:29a  -  “We are on our way to the place the Lord promised us,..."  

 

 

Someone to Take the Children Through ...

 

 

My wife is amazing. I've watched this remarkable woman serve Jesus since she was a teenager. She loves passionately, serves faithfully, leads courageously and gives generously. I am a better man because of her. Our family is stronger because of her.

Sheila is at camp with me again this year.

We've been together for a week of summer camp, every year since we were married in 1976. And every year, year-after-year, she takes hold of the little ones at camp and treats them as if they were her own dear children. 

Every kid needs to have someone like Sheila to hold their hand and walk them through their days. And I'm praying that every kid will.

 

Hebrews 12:7-11   -  God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did whatseemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

 

A Few of Our Camp Leaders ...

 

"Everything rises and falls on leadership."

John Maxwell said that and it has the ring of truth to it. Leaders who pray, serve, work hard, notice the obvious and not-so-obvious, say what they mean, mean what they say and love enough to "do the right thing" will increase your odds for success.

We have such leaders at camp this week. 

A few of our leaders are seen in the video I posted last night; some are pictured in this post; all are doing a great job with our campers.

This week soars as our leaders soar, so stay faithful and pray for them.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Isaiah 32:8  -  A good leader plans to do good, and those good things make him a good leader.

 

Monday RECAP

 

 

 

Here's how this works.

A bunch of people shoot a lot of video and take a zillion pictures. Then, someone takes all the available resources, throws out all the marginal, pitiful and less-than-helpful material and puts the great stuff together so you and I can enjoy a quick recap of a day at camp. 

The man who shot video, sorted video and ordered the remaining video ... is Dustin Maust. 

He is amazing.

Enjoy the recap ... and keep praying for our campers and counselors.

 

Psalm 103:1-2  

O my soul, bless God.
    From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
    don’t forget a single blessing!

 

 

Our Biggest SpringHill Camp ... EVER!

 

 

We took an "All Camp Picture" for the parents, family members and friends who may be wondering if everyone made it to SpringHill. 

Our week is beginning and we have great weather, great leaders, great programs, great opportunities and great campers. It's going to be a great camp. 

Please keep praying.

 

Colossians 4:3  -  Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.

 

 

Max or Moses?

 

There is nothing cuter, unless of course this fleet-footed Maust boy has a twin, and then there is at least one other thing as cute as this.

Whether this young lad is Max or Moses can only be determined by Dustin or Brinn. Either way, whether it is one twin or the other, the Mausts are adding huge value to our week at camp ... and giving us some memorable moments along the way.

 

Zechariah 10:7b  -  Their children will get in on it, too — oh, let them feel blessed by God!

 

'Twas The Night Before Summer Camp ...

  

 

Sheila and I drove all afternoon and arrived at SpringHill just in time for GaGa Ball, which appears to be this evening's game of choice.

Our campers are in for a great week.

Just FYI ... You can share the camp experience at any of these sites:

• www.markbeeson.com
• facebook.com/gsmlive
• twitter.com/gsmlive
• EMAIL a camper via [email protected]  
  (Put student's name in the subject line.)

 

Ezekiel 34:25b  -  They will be able to camp safely in the wildest places and sleep in the woods without fear.

 

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

 

 

Some traditions say this is the place where Jesus was buried and, of course, where He rose from the grave. This is the venerated Church of the Holy Sepulchre and everyone wants to be here. Everyone wants unrestrained access. And everyone wants to have final say about what happens here. 

That makes collaboration important and progress difficult.

There is a Status Quo arrangement that gives the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic and Greek Orthodox Churches shared custodial responsibilities. As you can imagine, they each have their own agendas and since nothing in the designated common areas of this holy site can be rearranged (let alone refurbished or rebuilt) without the full consent of everybody involved, it's virtually impossible to get anything done. 

So if your company wins a bid to work on the Aedicule (pictured above and alleged to contain the Holy Sepulchre itself) you can expect some delays as various branches of the Church negotiate among themselves about the implications of change. 

I took this picture of the chapel's restoration project and thanked Our Lord for the privilege of laboring alongside thousands of GCC'ers doing GOD's restoration work ... and making progress.

 

2 Chronicles 24:13a  -  "The workmen labored, and the repair work progressed in their hands, and they restored the house of God."

 

Good Morning!

 

 

Every sunrise sheds a little more light on the irrefutable evidence of GOD's majesty, creativity and power. All life is from GOD and for GOD. 

How you live your life matters more than you know, so as you paddle ahead, look behind you from time-to-time. Notice those sticking close and following your lead. The route you choose today will shape your tomorrows, but not only yours; those behind you will also know the consequences of your choices.

Life is GOD's gift; how you live life is your gift to GOD. So live well. Leave a wake of love, goodness and mercy behind you.

GOD expects nothing less.

 

Psalm 23:6  -  Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. 

 

Waiting in Line at The Church of the Nativity

 

 

In Bethlehem at The Church of the Nativity, I was surrounded by pilgrims, tourists, worshippers and priests. As our group waited to see the place where Jesus was born I marveled at the manner of the priests.

I understand the Rules of Etiquette vary from culture-to-culture but there was one thing the priests held in common. They didn't wait in line. Whether they were Coptic, Syrian, Roman or Greek, their ethics were apparently built on this foundation: "We are priests. You are not."

Priest-after-priest cut in line. They took their followers, whether few or many, and stepped ahead of everyone. We waited longer so they wouldn't need to wait at all. 

I found the display of power and privilege interesting and figured GOD was teaching me something, so I wrote the following in my Journal ...

1. Remember. You don't have to fix everything. 
2. Remember. When you see people of influence, wielding their power and authority in a grand display of institutionalized privilege, you challenge them at your own risk. It may be worth it. It may not. Don't be an idiot.
3. Remember. If you ever have power or position, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."
4. Remember. The powerful use their power as they see fit, whether for the benefit of others, or themselves.
5. Remember. Holiness is more than outward appearances. Awesome robes on the outside don't make a man awesome on the inside.

That said, seeing the traditional site of Jesus' birth was worth the wait.

 

Proverbs 29:2  -  When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans. 

 

What Do You Expect?

 

 

I was following Sheila along the Via Dolorosa and I heard myself say, "I didn't expect it to be like this."

I had seen pictures. I'd studied aerial views of The Way of the Cross. I'd pictured it in my head, but walking the same path Jesus walked as he carried his cross threw me a bit. 

Along the way, I was enveloped in an indecipherable muddle of unwashed antiquity: a curious bouquet of exotic aromas, foods, pilgrims and merchants. I was in a busy city filled with noise, grime and activity. 

I expected a more sacred tone. I was walking where Jesus walked, but I couldn't hear GOD over the din of the city. Frustrated, I tried to ignore all the people who were getting between me and GOD.

My attempt to snub the people, disregarding them so I could experience the holiness of The Way of the Cross, delivered results I didn't expect.

The sacred became obvious ... in a way I had not anticipated. 

The people crowding The Way of the Cross, lined up on both sides of the Via Dolorosa as they sold their wares and tried to make a living, weren't the problem; they were the object of GOD's affection. All those distracting people were loved by GOD. 

I realized I wasn't going to tune-in the sacred by tuning-out all those people. 

I started The Way of the Cross thinking the sacred was hidden by the crowds and dimmed by the chaos of the city. By the time I finished walking the Via Dolorosa, I  realized I would learn to experience the sacred in proximity to people or I wouldn't experience it at all.

 

Matthew 9:36  -  When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

 

 

Grapes Don't Come From a Briar Bush

 

 

I was in Jerusalem with about four dozen GCC'ers and we were near Golgotha. I was thinking about Jesus carrying his own cross toward his crucifixion and I was wondering how such evil could come from us, how we could torture and kill the Son of God.

Then I looked up and saw this cluster of grapes and remembered Jesus had some things to say about good men producing good fruit, and evil men bringing forth evil ...

Oh GOD, cleanse our hearts.

 

Luke 6:43-45  -  For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.  The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil...