We Saw Your Face
We went to Caesarēa Philippi, we were on the Sea of Galilee, we went to the Valley of the Doves, we saw where He gave the Beatitudes, where He multiplied the loaves and fish, we sat on the “Teaching Steps,” we stood where Jesus was born, we stood where He died, we stood where He was buried.
We stood where He ascended into Heaven from the Mount of Olives! We saw where He lived the first 30 years of His life in Nazareth with His family, saw where He lived the final 3 Capernaum, we stood where He stood before Pontius Pilate, we walked where He carried the cross, we saw where He was flogged, beaten and mocked.
We stood in the Garden of gethsemane where He prayed, we stood in the fields of the shepherds— where they found out the Messiah was to be born, sat in the ruins at Capernaum and Magdala where He once sat as he studied and taught . . . I can’t tell you how many times I was in complete AWE, with my jaw to the ground, with the only word I could say was W😱W!! Yeshua/Jesus was REAL and IS real!! He did live, I saw where He lived, but my overwhelming takeaway from My Pilgrimage is— HE STILL LIVES!!!
In my head, and heart, I knew He was alive, but at every turn . . . I saw His fingerprint on our trip—
3 doves on the top of the building at Osar Al-Yahud (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), a beautiful, vibrant rainbow over the Dead Sea, reminding us of His Promise that He will NEVER leave us, forsake us or give up on us. His gentle Presence in the courtyard at Capernaum where many were moved to tears after Dan challenged us to remember our heroes in the faith, who taught us about Jesus and who read the Bible to us as children. Jill’s shrill of excitement, and echo of tears, as she ran her fingers over the Braille of the Lord’s Prayer with her supportive husband Jimmy at her side. The excitement of coming through the tunnel and seeing the Old City Jerusalem for the very first time— it was strange, almost eerie, as my Spirit felt it had been here before . . . It was the feeling of HOME— a small taste of how Heaven will feel one day! Spiritual déjà vu at its finest. 
His protection was around us as a Palestinian Muslim charged a police officer, trying to stab him, and was shot dead some 300-400 feet away from us. His quietness, and perfect Peace, on us as we broke bread and drank wine at the Garden Tomb as we broke into song, “And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own and the JOY we share as we tary there no other has ever known.”
His Shekinah Glory there, in the Church of Anne, as we sang I Love You Lord, Jesus Loves Me and Amazing Grace. His Love shining through Leigh’s morning prayers on the bus— so heart-felt, genuine and an earnest plea for Him to be with us and to give us fresh revelations that day.
His healing Power— Jehovah Rapha— at the Pool of Bethesda in our healing service. The freedom felt by Johnny as he threw his deep grief, of losing his 18-year-old daughter, into the depths of the Sea of Galilee with a simple, faith-fueled flick of the wrist!
We felt Your Presence as Cindy prayed over us at the Jordan, as we took the Jordan River water on our foreheads. We felt Your Voice come alive as Mark read Your Holy Word, throughput our Pilgrimage, especially as we stood above Your holy city Jérusalem, picturing what it must’ve been like as Jesus entered the city’s gates riding a donkey as they proclaimed Hosanna in the Highest, blessed is He who comes in the Name of Lord and laid down their palms on the road. We experienced a small taste of Your dry humor, humility and kindness through Jeff.
We saw what it was like to be a servant— carrying Debbie’s scooter, opening doors for each other, deferring to a couple to get off the bus. We put each other above our ourselves. Back to Debbie— she demonstrated the heart of a warrior and exemplified Your victorious spirit! And when you think about it, just like with transporting the scooter different places and allow her to see what she would’ve missed . . . isn’t that what the Christian walk is— us helping people see what they would never see if not for us?
We saw a small taste of Your availability throughout Tamar as she endlessly poured into us and would answer whatever questions, we had, with great patience and understanding. Or Your mercy as we rudely talked while she was talking.
We knew we were held by Your Love each step of the journey, through guiding our drivers hands and feet, as we walked the streets where machine guns are as common as stop signs here and in our flights—In our coming and going.
It was the perfect intersection of history and theology on the road of Faith!
You were El Shaddai— MORE than enough . . . More than enough Presence, more than enough Provision, more than enough Protection and more than enough Peace! You were more than enough Strength for those who were sick and more than enough revelation for those who yearned for the scales to be removed from eyes, so that they could see You— our King, our Champion and Savior— in a way they NEVER have!
Your loving, nurturing, protective fingerprints were ALL over our Pilgrimage, and while we felt them, and saw them, something else was just as clear in our mind’s eye and in the deepest depths our heart— Your Face!
We saw You JESUS!! In the daily hustle and bustle, of careers, jobs, school, families and responsibilities, we were simply able to simply be STILL, even though we were anything but as our days started at 6 a.m. and didn’t end ‘til 6 p.m., and see Your beauty, feel Your Love and be filled with Your incomparable Peace!
As we leave the mountain top, like Phil so accurately spoke of, after experiencing You in ALL Your Glory, in a real, tangible, historical, yet visceral, way . . . Our prayer is may everyone we encounter know we were with You Jesus on the mountain! And the same way You asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am . . . let us our words, our hearts, and more importantly, our actions answer, “You are the One and ONLY Son of the Living God! You are the Messiah!!”
And if we can do that, we can lead many others to the same peak we just experienced— one where they see Jesus and one where they, too, will NEVER be the same!
+Hope Abounds+
John Mark
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020
Rebuilt from Calvary
This morning, we went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and, again, I won’t try to make myself appear holier than thou . . . That’s NOT me!! I’m a beyond GRATEFUL follower of Yeshua/Jesus, nor will I try to put on some grand display with my talent of writing— I’ll simply say this.
Like MANY of the holiest places in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and the Holy Land in general, the places they denote as THE exact place probably is not; it’s more than likely in the vicinity, but that’s STILL AMAZING!! If it’s feet, or yards, separating you from the holiest acts/events of our faith . . . That’s nonetheless mind-blowing!
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is Golgotha— The Place of the Skull— where Jesus died on Calvary for our sins!! They have an altar where you can crawl under— like my Mom is doing in the picture— and you can touch the place where THE cross was!!
That thought alone is a beautiful mixture of traveling in a time machine and using our imagination to picture the agony, torture and suffering on our behalf— He paid a debt He didn’t owe and one we could NEVER pay! He was the PERFECT Sacrifice! There is a rock there underneath, which is the rock that is believed to have been cracked when Jesus breathed His final breath. There is THE tomb and another tomb, which could’ve just as easily been where Jesus was buried before resurrecting on the third day and if those two weren’t enough . . . There is a slab of stone, which is believed to have been the very place they cleaned His body and prepared it for burial. You’ll see my hand touching it, see me crying (how could you not) and see me happy in that spot in these pictures.
The art work— the sculptures, the mosaics, the paintings— are all absolutely exquisite! Beyond exquisite!! Fit for, well, a KING! I know these pictures don’t do it justice, but it’s my sincere HOPE to take you along for the ride, allow you to be a part of the journey, with me! I’m deeply humbled and grateful to have experienced this more than you could know.
Before I hit send, why do you think I was crying? Because I FULLY-grasp how UNWORTHY I am! I fully-understand how much I’ve spat in His Face, ran from Him, treated His sacrifice like an insignificant act, been sinful, been prideful and just generally missed the mark! I understand without the pardoning of Jesus; I would be in hell and that’s honestly where I deserved to be before Him!
God has rebuilt my life. Over the past 10 years, God RESTORED it from rock bottom and I’m unbelievably GRATEFUL for that! I am PROUD to say I LOVE Yeshua/Jesus!! I’m proud of myself for having the self-reflection and courage to go under the knife and allow Him to perform spiritual-surgery on me. Although, I realize it’s only through His Strength that I’m able to move and have my being, much less improve, I’m still pleased I’m learning to obey Him more, fail Him less and begin to return the Love to Him that He so graciously covers me in whether I’m running toward Him or sprinting away!
So, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, I tried to be fully-present in the moment . . . I pried myself away from the long lines, rude people and pushy guides to just BE. I allowed myself to tear up, be true to my emotions and to return a fraction of the devotion and appreciation He extends to me on a daily basis! I’m glad I was able to do that. When I worship . . . I am just saying Jesus I love You! When I worship . . . I am simply saying THANK YOU— for Your unconditional Love, relentless GRACE, unfailing MERCY and every single blessing, whether big or small, He bombards my life with! But more then ANYTHING; I’m simply saying thank YOU for YOU!!
I’ve said it many times, but don’t spend your time appreciating, and clinging, to the MUD puddles when a beyond beautiful Life-giving Ocean— one of which we gave unlimited access to— awaits and longs for our fellowship, time, love and devotion! I’ve cried a few times on this Pilgrimage, but honestly not as much as I thought I would, but as the journey ends . . . I just have the OVERWHELMING sense of GRATITUDE!
Gratitude to be able to see the Lord— to GAZE upon Him with Love! Gratitude to see the places He walked, talked, taught, learned and performed miracles. Gratitude to see the giants of our faith where they lived and their acts of faithfulness. Gratitude to be able to experience this with my Mom— My sweet Little Rock. To be able to hug her, kiss her, hold her hand, talk with her, listen to her, laugh with her and just enjoy each other in this special place! This is a once in a lifetime experience, whether I return or not, and I’ve tried to soak it ALL in! Gratitude to experience this with my Aunt and Uncle— to walk and talk with them, see them smile and hear them laugh, during long bus rides and at the sites. Gratitude to Mark, who arranged our group from Mt. Pleasant to go on this Holy Pilgrimage. Gratitude for an awesome group of all different ages from 14 to 75– How God has allowed us to seamlessly get along and enjoy fellowship in this truly Holy Land. Gratitude for our awesome guide Tamar, who is one of the most determined people I’ve ever seen, has extensive knowledge of her homeland Jerusalem and who welcomed us with open arms and gratitude for Mospeh, who was a skilled, daring driver, who was more like a magician. And finally gratitude for being able to share it with all of y’all— whether you come or not, my only desire was to give you a glimpse of this beauty, a glimpse of all the history, a glimpse into your own pool of self-reflection. That’s truly been an honor. Jesus has ALWAYS been REAL to me, but He became even more real to me over the past week . . . It’s my hope, in tagging along, or if I experienced this with you walking side-by-side, that He did to you as well!
Of all the trips, and over 18 countries I’ve visited . . . This is truly the MOST special! He lives! His Great Love remains and He will return! What a GLORIOUS DAY that will be!! +Hope Abounds+ JMB
Like MANY of the holiest places in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and the Holy Land in general, the places they denote as THE exact place probably is not; it’s more than likely in the vicinity, but that’s STILL AMAZING!! If it’s feet, or yards, separating you from the holiest acts/events of our faith . . . That’s nonetheless mind-blowing!
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is Golgotha— The Place of the Skull— where Jesus died on Calvary for our sins!! They have an altar where you can crawl under— like my Mom is doing in the picture— and you can touch the place where THE cross was!!
That thought alone is a beautiful mixture of traveling in a time machine and using our imagination to picture the agony, torture and suffering on our behalf— He paid a debt He didn’t owe and one we could NEVER pay! He was the PERFECT Sacrifice! There is a rock there underneath, which is the rock that is believed to have been cracked when Jesus breathed His final breath. There is THE tomb and another tomb, which could’ve just as easily been where Jesus was buried before resurrecting on the third day and if those two weren’t enough . . . There is a slab of stone, which is believed to have been the very place they cleaned His body and prepared it for burial. You’ll see my hand touching it, see me crying (how could you not) and see me happy in that spot in these pictures.
The art work— the sculptures, the mosaics, the paintings— are all absolutely exquisite! Beyond exquisite!! Fit for, well, a KING! I know these pictures don’t do it justice, but it’s my sincere HOPE to take you along for the ride, allow you to be a part of the journey, with me! I’m deeply humbled and grateful to have experienced this more than you could know.
Before I hit send, why do you think I was crying? Because I FULLY-grasp how UNWORTHY I am! I fully-understand how much I’ve spat in His Face, ran from Him, treated His sacrifice like an insignificant act, been sinful, been prideful and just generally missed the mark! I understand without the pardoning of Jesus; I would be in hell and that’s honestly where I deserved to be before Him!
God has rebuilt my life. Over the past 10 years, God RESTORED it from rock bottom and I’m unbelievably GRATEFUL for that! I am PROUD to say I LOVE Yeshua/Jesus!! I’m proud of myself for having the self-reflection and courage to go under the knife and allow Him to perform spiritual-surgery on me. Although, I realize it’s only through His Strength that I’m able to move and have my being, much less improve, I’m still pleased I’m learning to obey Him more, fail Him less and begin to return the Love to Him that He so graciously covers me in whether I’m running toward Him or sprinting away!
So, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, I tried to be fully-present in the moment . . . I pried myself away from the long lines, rude people and pushy guides to just BE. I allowed myself to tear up, be true to my emotions and to return a fraction of the devotion and appreciation He extends to me on a daily basis! I’m glad I was able to do that. When I worship . . . I am just saying Jesus I love You! When I worship . . . I am simply saying THANK YOU— for Your unconditional Love, relentless GRACE, unfailing MERCY and every single blessing, whether big or small, He bombards my life with! But more then ANYTHING; I’m simply saying thank YOU for YOU!!
I’ve said it many times, but don’t spend your time appreciating, and clinging, to the MUD puddles when a beyond beautiful Life-giving Ocean— one of which we gave unlimited access to— awaits and longs for our fellowship, time, love and devotion! I’ve cried a few times on this Pilgrimage, but honestly not as much as I thought I would, but as the journey ends . . . I just have the OVERWHELMING sense of GRATITUDE!
Gratitude to be able to see the Lord— to GAZE upon Him with Love! Gratitude to see the places He walked, talked, taught, learned and performed miracles. Gratitude to see the giants of our faith where they lived and their acts of faithfulness. Gratitude to be able to experience this with my Mom— My sweet Little Rock. To be able to hug her, kiss her, hold her hand, talk with her, listen to her, laugh with her and just enjoy each other in this special place! This is a once in a lifetime experience, whether I return or not, and I’ve tried to soak it ALL in! Gratitude to experience this with my Aunt and Uncle— to walk and talk with them, see them smile and hear them laugh, during long bus rides and at the sites. Gratitude to Mark, who arranged our group from Mt. Pleasant to go on this Holy Pilgrimage. Gratitude for an awesome group of all different ages from 14 to 75– How God has allowed us to seamlessly get along and enjoy fellowship in this truly Holy Land. Gratitude for our awesome guide Tamar, who is one of the most determined people I’ve ever seen, has extensive knowledge of her homeland Jerusalem and who welcomed us with open arms and gratitude for Mospeh, who was a skilled, daring driver, who was more like a magician. And finally gratitude for being able to share it with all of y’all— whether you come or not, my only desire was to give you a glimpse of this beauty, a glimpse of all the history, a glimpse into your own pool of self-reflection. That’s truly been an honor. Jesus has ALWAYS been REAL to me, but He became even more real to me over the past week . . . It’s my hope, in tagging along, or if I experienced this with you walking side-by-side, that He did to you as well!
Of all the trips, and over 18 countries I’ve visited . . . This is truly the MOST special! He lives! His Great Love remains and He will return! What a GLORIOUS DAY that will be!! +Hope Abounds+ JMB
Monday, February 17, 2020
Upon the Rock
Day 3
After seeing what I saw and feeling what I felt yesterday . . . I, honestly, wasn’t all that excited about what Day 3 had in store for me and my fellow Pilgrims. But it didn’t take long for me to see how misguided of a thought that was.
First, we went to the tribe of Dan’s— one of original 12 tribes of Israel. There we saw beautiful ruins, but the highlight for me was Abraham’s Gate. Believed to be the same gate Abram/Abraham entered through in Genesis 14:13-16. . . That means the gate I was looking at was from 1750 B.C. American Pickers sure has NOTHING on that find as it was uncovered in 1979— the year I was born. I marveled as I looked at the gate they actually believe is the one who Abram entered through. That’s amazing! Abraham’s Gate is the OLDEST arch in the entire world— that’s pretty awesome! Anything that falls in the ‘BEST OF’ category is simply in a class of its own.
Sometimes in life, although it’s rare, we can go from amazing to even more awesome!! In a world, where we often times self-sabotage, fear and doubt extremely too much, living in a waiting for the other shoe to drop mentality, we rarely live with expectation instead of dreading what could possibly coming.
But after Dan’s exploration and Abraham’s prized relic, and symbol of Christiandom, I didn’t think it was possible to get any better especially just a few minutes down the road! I have have never been more wrong in my life.
We went to a place that gave me one of the biggest a-ha moments in my 41 years— Caesarea Phillipi. The Bonia Springs, which flow, peacefully and gently over the rocks, beneath the temple of Pan and cave gateway are as serene as it gets. But what happened today, I simply wasn’t prepared for!
I was overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of this place from the moment my eyed locked onto it! But what floored me even more was a story you can back up with Holy Scripture. I’m actually tearing up as I type this lying in my hotel room.
Jesus, who I mainly call Yeshua, brought the disciples to this place. He asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” While the disciples meekly- offered up responses; it was Peter who said, “You are Christ Son of the living God!”
Jesus, pleased with his answer replied, “Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell/hades will not prevail against it!” Matthew 16:15-16.
There I stood, after failing to notice the significance at first, in utter shock, complete disbelief in total JOY!! The HUGE pillar of rock I was gazing upon. The blue, green water in the cave I was looking in were exactly what Jesus and His 12 disciples were looking at a couple thousand years ago!
I had, and trust me, I don’t say this lightly and still can’t comprehend it, just walked where Jesus once walked literally and stood in the same place! Why did Yeshua bring the 12 here to reveal to them WHO He was?!?
Remember that cave I was telling you about? Guess what it served as for the followers of Pan— a portal to hell!” The Messiah took them here to reveal Himself as the Son of God, but also as a LOUD declaration the gates of hell . . . Even the most famous one in the region could NEVER prevail against it!
Talk about my mind being BLOWN!!! It’s one thing to see the Bible— the people, places, things and customs— in word-form, but this journey is making the Bible literally come ALIVE!! Visiting the beautiful intersection of historical facts and devout faith and the wanting, and longing, your beliefs are true and just as real as the God Who saved us, is something that’s hard to put into words. The validity of the facts mixed with the validation your beliefs can be backed up with locations, Scripture and people even by people who don’t believe, or belong to another religion, is something truly something!! See, they don’t have a dog in the fight and still they can confirm this happened even if they don’t believe it for themselves.
My day was close to as perfect as I could imagine. Was I perfect?! NOPE, but this day was like a Hollywood script. Nobody on my bus made a big to-do about birthday when they had volunteered they would announce it earlier. I wasn’t bummed, and a few people wished me a happy birthday along the way. It made my heart smile. My Mom gave me a card, along with my aunt and uncle and some delicious jelly beans . . . Oh, how I love jelly beans!
But ascending the Golan Heights, seeing lush grass and craggy gardens of rocks, seeing a snow-capped mountain and picturesque lake made for a good second half of the day! Tamar, our guide, was again well-spoken, efficient, filled with knowledge and truly a fountain of facts and did you knows? To about 98.9% the answer is NO we didn’t know!
We even ran around, given full access to a castle— a CASTLE!! I’ve seen castles on TV and even explored a couple in Europe, but this one, King Nimrod’s, was absolutely stunning! We marveled how could a castle as maginifcent as this still be not only beautiful with amazing architecture and design, but how could it still be in-tact after all these years?
After we left there, during lunch, we sat outside on the porch, above the aforementioned lake, two of the pastors Pastor Lee and my pastor on this trip Mark Muckler, of Mt. Pleasant Methodist, came out and busted into song.
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to John Mark. Happy Birthday to you!”
With Nutty Buddy in hand, serving as my make-shift birthday cake, I about busted into tears. I was so grateful!
I was, once again, overwhelmed. Mom and I went for a walk on the boardwalk called the Prominade hand-in-hand with my Momma. Did I mention she’s my Little Rock?
We bought some souvenirs then headed to dinner. After a little bit at dinner . . . Boom, it happened again— completely blindsided!! Though I’ve been blindsided by death, heartbreak, feelings of fear and inadequacy; this was the good kind of blindside . . . That has nothing to do with Michael Oher. Nearly the whole cafeteria erupted in singing Happy Birthday! I, not one to be embarrassed, was shades of red!!
I talked to my Mom, Uncle Marcus and aunt Patsy Mullen and ended the night talking to Laughy Taffy, Debbie, Cherie, Amber, Jill and even an Israeli named David. God showed up. He showed out! We laughed, I shared my heart, they cried, I cried. They spoke so many beautiful, life-affirming, challenging and awesome Truths into my life. We talked for over an hour— No surface-level, mundane stuff . . . Deeper, than the deep-end conversation! David shared with me how he had just lost his Dad 2 weeks earlier— a 47-year-old man opening up his heart to me and a table full of Americans. That can only be the work of God.
I encouraged him and told him about losing my Step-Dad and told him grief is more unpredictable than the weather in North Carolina. I was honest about how there would be good days, days where they felt close, bad days, days where the tears seemingly would not end, but I also told him HOPE ABOUNDS even in the midst of death’s cold grip!
We ended the night hand-in-hand praying for each other. Man, you talk about some powerful stuff! It was powerful!! I talked to David another hour or so, picking his brain about his beliefs, what separates Jews, Christians and Muslims. I listened how he lost his dad— One minute he had a fever, next he was on life-support. His lungs had failed him. I cried with him. He opened up to me as if he had known me for years. My Mom and I met him last night. See, contrary to popular belief no matter what race, what religion, background or sex, no matter how DIFFERENT we are . . . We are STILL the SAME!
This was honestly probably the BEST birthday I’ve ever had. If I’ve wronged you, if you hate me, if you hate to read this excitement and happiness . . . I’m truly sorry. I’m sorry for whatever I’ve done and I’m working to become a better man. For those of who in my corner, you are truly the wind in my sail and I’m blessed and happy I get to voyage through life with you! Truthfully, I have to say— this was not just one of my best birthdays, but one of the best days of my LIFE!!
So, I leave you with this. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” He’s still asking that very same convicting question today. Do I always answer that right? Heck no! Not even close! Not by a long shot, but I want to be able to answer through my words, and MORE importantly through my actions, “You are Christ Son of the Living God!”
Because He is just ALIVE as EVER!!
Remember friends— + התקווה שופעת +
JMB
After seeing what I saw and feeling what I felt yesterday . . . I, honestly, wasn’t all that excited about what Day 3 had in store for me and my fellow Pilgrims. But it didn’t take long for me to see how misguided of a thought that was.
First, we went to the tribe of Dan’s— one of original 12 tribes of Israel. There we saw beautiful ruins, but the highlight for me was Abraham’s Gate. Believed to be the same gate Abram/Abraham entered through in Genesis 14:13-16. . . That means the gate I was looking at was from 1750 B.C. American Pickers sure has NOTHING on that find as it was uncovered in 1979— the year I was born. I marveled as I looked at the gate they actually believe is the one who Abram entered through. That’s amazing! Abraham’s Gate is the OLDEST arch in the entire world— that’s pretty awesome! Anything that falls in the ‘BEST OF’ category is simply in a class of its own.
Sometimes in life, although it’s rare, we can go from amazing to even more awesome!! In a world, where we often times self-sabotage, fear and doubt extremely too much, living in a waiting for the other shoe to drop mentality, we rarely live with expectation instead of dreading what could possibly coming.
But after Dan’s exploration and Abraham’s prized relic, and symbol of Christiandom, I didn’t think it was possible to get any better especially just a few minutes down the road! I have have never been more wrong in my life.
We went to a place that gave me one of the biggest a-ha moments in my 41 years— Caesarea Phillipi. The Bonia Springs, which flow, peacefully and gently over the rocks, beneath the temple of Pan and cave gateway are as serene as it gets. But what happened today, I simply wasn’t prepared for!
I was overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of this place from the moment my eyed locked onto it! But what floored me even more was a story you can back up with Holy Scripture. I’m actually tearing up as I type this lying in my hotel room.
Jesus, who I mainly call Yeshua, brought the disciples to this place. He asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” While the disciples meekly- offered up responses; it was Peter who said, “You are Christ Son of the living God!”
Jesus, pleased with his answer replied, “Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell/hades will not prevail against it!” Matthew 16:15-16.
There I stood, after failing to notice the significance at first, in utter shock, complete disbelief in total JOY!! The HUGE pillar of rock I was gazing upon. The blue, green water in the cave I was looking in were exactly what Jesus and His 12 disciples were looking at a couple thousand years ago!
I had, and trust me, I don’t say this lightly and still can’t comprehend it, just walked where Jesus once walked literally and stood in the same place! Why did Yeshua bring the 12 here to reveal to them WHO He was?!?
Remember that cave I was telling you about? Guess what it served as for the followers of Pan— a portal to hell!” The Messiah took them here to reveal Himself as the Son of God, but also as a LOUD declaration the gates of hell . . . Even the most famous one in the region could NEVER prevail against it!
Talk about my mind being BLOWN!!! It’s one thing to see the Bible— the people, places, things and customs— in word-form, but this journey is making the Bible literally come ALIVE!! Visiting the beautiful intersection of historical facts and devout faith and the wanting, and longing, your beliefs are true and just as real as the God Who saved us, is something that’s hard to put into words. The validity of the facts mixed with the validation your beliefs can be backed up with locations, Scripture and people even by people who don’t believe, or belong to another religion, is something truly something!! See, they don’t have a dog in the fight and still they can confirm this happened even if they don’t believe it for themselves.
My day was close to as perfect as I could imagine. Was I perfect?! NOPE, but this day was like a Hollywood script. Nobody on my bus made a big to-do about birthday when they had volunteered they would announce it earlier. I wasn’t bummed, and a few people wished me a happy birthday along the way. It made my heart smile. My Mom gave me a card, along with my aunt and uncle and some delicious jelly beans . . . Oh, how I love jelly beans!
But ascending the Golan Heights, seeing lush grass and craggy gardens of rocks, seeing a snow-capped mountain and picturesque lake made for a good second half of the day! Tamar, our guide, was again well-spoken, efficient, filled with knowledge and truly a fountain of facts and did you knows? To about 98.9% the answer is NO we didn’t know!
We even ran around, given full access to a castle— a CASTLE!! I’ve seen castles on TV and even explored a couple in Europe, but this one, King Nimrod’s, was absolutely stunning! We marveled how could a castle as maginifcent as this still be not only beautiful with amazing architecture and design, but how could it still be in-tact after all these years?
After we left there, during lunch, we sat outside on the porch, above the aforementioned lake, two of the pastors Pastor Lee and my pastor on this trip Mark Muckler, of Mt. Pleasant Methodist, came out and busted into song.
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to John Mark. Happy Birthday to you!”
With Nutty Buddy in hand, serving as my make-shift birthday cake, I about busted into tears. I was so grateful!
I was, once again, overwhelmed. Mom and I went for a walk on the boardwalk called the Prominade hand-in-hand with my Momma. Did I mention she’s my Little Rock?
We bought some souvenirs then headed to dinner. After a little bit at dinner . . . Boom, it happened again— completely blindsided!! Though I’ve been blindsided by death, heartbreak, feelings of fear and inadequacy; this was the good kind of blindside . . . That has nothing to do with Michael Oher. Nearly the whole cafeteria erupted in singing Happy Birthday! I, not one to be embarrassed, was shades of red!!
I talked to my Mom, Uncle Marcus and aunt Patsy Mullen and ended the night talking to Laughy Taffy, Debbie, Cherie, Amber, Jill and even an Israeli named David. God showed up. He showed out! We laughed, I shared my heart, they cried, I cried. They spoke so many beautiful, life-affirming, challenging and awesome Truths into my life. We talked for over an hour— No surface-level, mundane stuff . . . Deeper, than the deep-end conversation! David shared with me how he had just lost his Dad 2 weeks earlier— a 47-year-old man opening up his heart to me and a table full of Americans. That can only be the work of God.
I encouraged him and told him about losing my Step-Dad and told him grief is more unpredictable than the weather in North Carolina. I was honest about how there would be good days, days where they felt close, bad days, days where the tears seemingly would not end, but I also told him HOPE ABOUNDS even in the midst of death’s cold grip!
We ended the night hand-in-hand praying for each other. Man, you talk about some powerful stuff! It was powerful!! I talked to David another hour or so, picking his brain about his beliefs, what separates Jews, Christians and Muslims. I listened how he lost his dad— One minute he had a fever, next he was on life-support. His lungs had failed him. I cried with him. He opened up to me as if he had known me for years. My Mom and I met him last night. See, contrary to popular belief no matter what race, what religion, background or sex, no matter how DIFFERENT we are . . . We are STILL the SAME!
This was honestly probably the BEST birthday I’ve ever had. If I’ve wronged you, if you hate me, if you hate to read this excitement and happiness . . . I’m truly sorry. I’m sorry for whatever I’ve done and I’m working to become a better man. For those of who in my corner, you are truly the wind in my sail and I’m blessed and happy I get to voyage through life with you! Truthfully, I have to say— this was not just one of my best birthdays, but one of the best days of my LIFE!!
So, I leave you with this. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” He’s still asking that very same convicting question today. Do I always answer that right? Heck no! Not even close! Not by a long shot, but I want to be able to answer through my words, and MORE importantly through my actions, “You are Christ Son of the Living God!”
Because He is just ALIVE as EVER!!
Remember friends— + התקווה שופעת +
JMB
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Ocean of REGRET
I’m crying this morning. Why? I didn’t know Mia Stokes, who at 18-years-old, died in a car accident last night. Although I did meet her, her sister Mallory and her dad Eric, one night at a Hornets’ game, I didn’t know them, but my hearts hurts for them and I’m crying because of how much they hurt and remembering my own hurt of similar losses.
See, I have a BIG heart— always have, but I live with SO many regrets!! All the wish I would’ves, could’ves and should’ves; I carry them daily. I have forgiven myself, but the scar tissue stays with me like gum on the shoe of my heart. ALL the times I wish I made the time, all the words I wished I said, all the memories I wish I would’ve made . . . It all makes me vigilant moving forward.
ALL of that is gone, evaporating over the moments of time’s tapestry, but there is a blank canvas I receive daily to speak Life into people, to love and serve them, to make sure they know how I feel about them and to make time for the people who really matter to me . . . After all, without sacrifice, there can be no LOVE!
God made me an ENCOURAGER!! Other than obedience, and trying to fail Him less, part of why I go the extra mile to send texts, prayers, words of encouragement, make that visit, is I want LESS regret movinG forward! Damn, I carry enough on my back as it is. I don’t want to add to it!! If I had a tear for every time I felt remorse, I would have an ocean!
There are SO many things I would do over if I could— off the top of my head . . . I would’ve spent more time with Mamaw (even though I spent a ton of it) even though she wouldn’t remember, I would’ve worked with Papaw in the garden more, helped Buddy build things in the workshop, gone to see Buddy more, especially when Mom was gone on a trip, but I could do that when he was older, right? Right!?! I would’ve texted, called, or MySpaced Karson the 6 months God told me to— laying it on my heart in bold fluorescent letters! I would’ve treated A.J. with more patience and love, even though he was an annoying teenager. I would’ve gone to see my Uncle Bobby even though I literally thought what was the point since he’ll be dead soon. I would’ve told my childhood best friend Jonathan I loved him even though in high school guys simply don’t do that! I could go on and on and on and on about ALL the regrets that eat at me like I’m a continual meal . . . I wish I could do SO much over!!
But I can’t, so I do what Hebrews 12:1-2 says . . . I focus my eyes on Jesus and run the race He has in store for me! I won’t always get it right, but I own my failures but not my successes— they belong to Jesus 🙏The marathon— remember, it’s not a sprint—Continues!
Young people, and of all ages, that’s what I would say: Make time for that visit, send that text, let them know you’re praying for them n there for them! Live each day with GRATITUDE and SERVE! You never know when your time is uP or their’s and you don’t want to have regrets of not doinG!
Don’t be too busy with LIFE that you forget to LIVE!! I’m a firm believer in this . . . People make time for the people, and things, that are important to them! If they love you, and want you in their lives, they will make time for you plain and simple. But, as humans, we don’t always . . . Do we! Sad, but true. Now, I do my very best to do just that!!
Some 💩 seems IMPORTANT— at the time— and it’s really not at ALL! Ask God to give you guidance, discernment and PERSPECTIVE about what and WHO really matters! I’m willing to share my PAIN for it to be your LESSON. I can’t force you to learn it— that decision comes down to you! It’s my HOPE this makes you think, challenges you and maybe even prompts you to pick up the phone to text somebody or call someone you love . . . I didn’t always do that— see for yourself.
Read There’s Always Next Year on my blog—
http://jmbrooks17.blogspot.com/2012/11/theres-always-next-year.html?m=1
See, I have a BIG heart— always have, but I live with SO many regrets!! All the wish I would’ves, could’ves and should’ves; I carry them daily. I have forgiven myself, but the scar tissue stays with me like gum on the shoe of my heart. ALL the times I wish I made the time, all the words I wished I said, all the memories I wish I would’ve made . . . It all makes me vigilant moving forward.
ALL of that is gone, evaporating over the moments of time’s tapestry, but there is a blank canvas I receive daily to speak Life into people, to love and serve them, to make sure they know how I feel about them and to make time for the people who really matter to me . . . After all, without sacrifice, there can be no LOVE!
God made me an ENCOURAGER!! Other than obedience, and trying to fail Him less, part of why I go the extra mile to send texts, prayers, words of encouragement, make that visit, is I want LESS regret movinG forward! Damn, I carry enough on my back as it is. I don’t want to add to it!! If I had a tear for every time I felt remorse, I would have an ocean!
There are SO many things I would do over if I could— off the top of my head . . . I would’ve spent more time with Mamaw (even though I spent a ton of it) even though she wouldn’t remember, I would’ve worked with Papaw in the garden more, helped Buddy build things in the workshop, gone to see Buddy more, especially when Mom was gone on a trip, but I could do that when he was older, right? Right!?! I would’ve texted, called, or MySpaced Karson the 6 months God told me to— laying it on my heart in bold fluorescent letters! I would’ve treated A.J. with more patience and love, even though he was an annoying teenager. I would’ve gone to see my Uncle Bobby even though I literally thought what was the point since he’ll be dead soon. I would’ve told my childhood best friend Jonathan I loved him even though in high school guys simply don’t do that! I could go on and on and on and on about ALL the regrets that eat at me like I’m a continual meal . . . I wish I could do SO much over!!
But I can’t, so I do what Hebrews 12:1-2 says . . . I focus my eyes on Jesus and run the race He has in store for me! I won’t always get it right, but I own my failures but not my successes— they belong to Jesus 🙏The marathon— remember, it’s not a sprint—Continues!
Young people, and of all ages, that’s what I would say: Make time for that visit, send that text, let them know you’re praying for them n there for them! Live each day with GRATITUDE and SERVE! You never know when your time is uP or their’s and you don’t want to have regrets of not doinG!
Don’t be too busy with LIFE that you forget to LIVE!! I’m a firm believer in this . . . People make time for the people, and things, that are important to them! If they love you, and want you in their lives, they will make time for you plain and simple. But, as humans, we don’t always . . . Do we! Sad, but true. Now, I do my very best to do just that!!
Some 💩 seems IMPORTANT— at the time— and it’s really not at ALL! Ask God to give you guidance, discernment and PERSPECTIVE about what and WHO really matters! I’m willing to share my PAIN for it to be your LESSON. I can’t force you to learn it— that decision comes down to you! It’s my HOPE this makes you think, challenges you and maybe even prompts you to pick up the phone to text somebody or call someone you love . . . I didn’t always do that— see for yourself.
Read There’s Always Next Year on my blog—
http://jmbrooks17.blogspot.com/2012/11/theres-always-next-year.html?m=1
Monday, February 3, 2020
Get Off My Lawn
Warning— unpopular message ahead. Oh, and one more thing . . . Glad I’m single so, I wasn’t like the millions of boyfriends, and husbands, who got in trouble with their significant other, or even worse got the silent-treatment or cussed out! 😂
J-Lo and Shakira, passionate women, on the biggest stage and, in all places, on South Beach, but . . .
That halftime show was SHOCKING! It always is, right? After all, that’s what boosts ratings! But as an advocate for women— extremely close to my Mom, my sister and nieces and very close to my Mamaw— and them being treated with respect . . . It was TRASH!!
I knew the suspects and I knew they were in Miami, so, I expected it to be over the top, but this surpassed even my wildest predictions.
I thought of ALL the little girls standing in front of the TV seeing the raunchy dancing, the skimpy outfits, more crotch shots than a bar on a crowded Saturday night, performers/singers/dancers, who are extremely talented but who did something that’s sadly become the norm, taking our daughters, nieces, sisters and telling them this— it’s OK to dress like that, it’s OK to show off your body, it’s OK to mimick sex in prime time, it’s OK to show ALL of you and not only show it, but have specific choreography that focuses on backsides and what’s between your legs and, instantly, no matter how much we’ve tried to protect our little girls . . . They were transported to a strip club. I won’t be hypocritical (as I’ve been in them plenty in the past) but as an adult I have that choice and prerogative. But them? They don’t!!
While I agree J-Lo and Shakira are beautiful, sexy and attractive— seemingly both having found the Fountain of Youth, and while I appreciate the Latina community represented— it made me mad! They are not the problem. Who we have become as a country, and society, is the problem! They are simply a microcosm of that.
And I honestly felt like we were watching something— the biggest spectacle in the world— that was just shy of pornography. Again, let me reiterate, I understand it’s performance art, but as someone who sees how it affects our little girls, all of whom are impressionable, I was appalled, disappointed and frustrated.
Did I enjoy their looks, moves and bodies? Honestly, yes . . . But again, adults weren’t the only ones watching! The present, and future are, and, from that standpoint, it simply wasn’t acceptable!!
Again J-Lo and Shakira are a reflection, like any other award show— a symptom of the sickness— they are not the problem! In terms of just their performance, they rocked it! How do I know our overly-sexualized culture is affecting our youth? Go to ANY dance, or cheer, competition and see their outfits, listen to the music, see how they move . . . They are simply copying behavior that we, as a society, have not only deemed OK but is NORMAL. It’s not!! They are taught the moves on women then we get mad and have the audacity to say they’re trying to grow up too fast or get upset when they wear a revealing outfit, shorts that are too short or or wearing makeup too early!
I’m not trying to be the old man screaming, “Get off my lawn,” but I listened to the reaction from women at my sister’s Super Bowl party and they felt the exact same way!!
Full disclosure— I’ve been a womanizer and an objectifier, of women, in the past . . . and still struggle with being naughty, engaging in pictures and text conversations I shouldn’t— All facts I’m NOT proud of, but it’s not about me, or any other adult, it’s about this: we can’t champion the #metoo movement . . . we can’t call out sex trafficking, rape and other horrific treatment of women, but not have the courage to say, “This is NOT right” even if those words sound a lot like, “Get off my lawn” in this day and age!
But the reality is this— the more we let the lesser things slide, as acceptable, the greater likelihood the bigger things become more likely to happen!! As a believer, and follower, of Jesus, I faced a serious tug of war watching them perform— flesh vs. spirit, the old me vs. the new me, the immature boy vs. the man I’m trying to become and while I lost that, at times, during the 30-minute performance . . . I repeatedly said out loud, “This is ridiculous! Little girls should NOT be seeing this.” They should not be susceptible to these images. It was, in many ways, degrading. The one fitting aspect of the show was the stripper pole— that was apropos for what we were seeing!
Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, who started Samaritan’s Purse, said in America it seems we have always done a good job of protecting our children, in prime time time-slots, and that it could be slipping away. I say this. Shakira’s hips don’t lie . . . Just like the fact we’ve already lost the battle on television, in movies and in music, so it’s IMPERATIVE, we teach our sons, daughters, nieces and nephews the RIGHT way to treat girls and women and how, as girls and women, they should expect to be treated!! I’ve always been challenged when I read: “Close your eyes and think how you’re treating your girlfriend or wife— is this the way you would want your daughter, niece or sister treated?” In reality, sadly, I haven’t always been able to say yes.
We should teach them to open doors for girls, be respectful, walk on the side closest to the sidewalk, pull out chairs, call not text, send flowers, write love notes, pray for, lead, cherish and pursue as the rib God created them from as equals to walk beside and yet to be protected and made to feel valued! We need to teach our girls to expect this or like I tell my nieces, “Find somebody who does!!”
From the playground, as children, girls are taught if a boy likes you, he will be mean to you! That’s simply a lie that transcends, and translates, into adulthood. That’s why so many women fall for jerks, bad boys and a-holes, while the nice guy finishes last! Sadly, it’s a lesson that sticks with them, but what if we taught them something different?
I’ve always taught my nieces their value doesn’t come from what grades they make, how popular they are or what clothes they wear no more than their validation comes from how pretty they are or what their body looks like. While TV and movies push a certain image— have to be skinny, beautiful and air-brushed— I’ve taught them they are already validated, and have infinite worth, based on the fact God sent His Son Jesus to die for them. Because they have been taught beauty comes from within, “That God made only ONE of you in the whole wide world” they don’t have to keep up with Joneses, what they see in magazines, the internet or television, because they are BEAUTIFUL just as they are! It’s my hope since they already have that validation, and love, that they won’t seek it in boys, but later find it in their husband.
In world, that this is now normal, we must teach our little girls to swim mountains and climb oceans and walk to the beat of a different drum . . . In other words let’s teach them to be DIFFERENT, go against the crowd, and as they get older, that their worth is not found in what a boy thinks of them, or in their bodies, or what they look like, but in WHO they are! Let’s teach them to follow God when everybody else is following the crowd! Let’s make sure they know they are WANTED by the KinG is the Universe, and wanted by us, that they belong, in world that tells them they are mainly wanted for their bodies!
I’m not saying I’ve treated girls, and women, perfectly, because I have enough failed relationships to plainly say I haven’t. Hope you agree with this—But if not, I’m content being the OLD, grumpy man screaming from the front porch, “Get off my lawn!”
As long as someone hears me!! JMB
**I’ve been very candid about being a sex addict, and admitting my short comings, I fully-acknowledge that, but this was a message I felt led to share. Hope, at the very least, it challenged the way you think about some things. I’m not saying parts of me didn’t enjoy them, because I did. I won’t BS anybody when it comes to that. They are HOT!! But this was about something much bigger than simple entertainment. That’s the message I’m trying to relay. The aforementioned was NOT just about a 30-minute halftime show, as as parents, we can simply not let our kids watch it, if we deem it inappropriate (simple solution), but I was hoping to evoke thoughts of the bigger picture and bigger issue. Perhaps, they could put a rating up at the beginning of the awards show, or halftime show, to help parents make a more informed decision about whether their kid should watch it. Final thought— we act, and present, ourselves as whores . . . How can we ever embrace the fact we are princes and princesses??
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