blog.johno.org

To my son, my pal.

It’s so wonderful to see you grow.  Your humor is refreshing and your love for StarWars, Indiana Jones and Pirates makes me happy.  Just like me when I was six.

But the thing I love most is your heart for others and your love for God.

Your the best Pal I’ve ever had.

love, 

Pop

I can’t believe how much time has passed and how much little time I have left.

Today May 23rd, 2008 Hannah turned 13. I am officially a father of a teenager. I worked for many years with other fathers and mothers of teens. Now we will see if anything I’ve had to offer works for me.

For you Hannah, never forget how much I love you.

Dear child now it’s time to close your eyes

and dream of all the things up in the sky.

Hope, faith and love divine,

are the things for you, I give of mine.

All I have and all I do, little one it’s for you.

Dear child now it’s time to dream away,

and reach your hands to another day.

Hope, faith and love divine,

are the thing to you I give that are mine.

All I have and all I do,

little one, Hannah, It’s for you.

written just before your birth, April, 1995

I love you little girl.
Papa~

A few weeks ago I was able to take a short trip, and I do mean short, to Portland. My friend Jason Hill asked me to bring my guitar so we could “jam” together. Jason is doing very well. A minimum of 1 hour a day practice has fulfilled it’s promise.

Although I’ve had my guitar for several years, I’ve not given myself to it fully except for peace and relaxation.

I remember when I was around 9 or 10, a music sales person came to our neighborhood in LA. Selling lessons for the accordion, many kids on my block, signed up. I couldn’t however… We didn’t have the money. A year had passed and I had asked if I could take guitar lessons… I had seen the results of accordion lessons and thought, “only weird folk could ever do anything with that.”

“Not now” came the response from my mother… “We don’t have the money.”

On my 33rd birthday, my mother surprised me with a trip to the local music store and purchase that long awaited gift, a guitar.

I took a few lessons and I’m always finding peaceful tunes to play… nothing to difficult.

Anyhow, I came across this incredible video. I wonder what I would be playing like if I had started at 10… Although this kid is 10.

It’s crazy.

Enjoy!

johno~

I do promise to finish this up soon. My thanks to all those who have stuck with me, adjusting feeders, etc… I do wish to make this a better habit. I imagine my children’s, children someday visiting these words and finding encouragement and inspiration. My hope is those who find this today are encouraged somehow in my ramblings to write their thoughts. There are so many wonderful stories in blogland. In contrast to the junk brought forth in the nightly news, it’s nice to read great stories such as, confessions of a CF husband. My wife keeps track of many great stories of lives with struggles and hope that carries them through. I realize in these blogs, hope is winning and Christ is our strength.

So I continue to learn this idea of blogging from many talented folks. My apologizes to those blogs I’ve enjoyed and have not shared in my blog role.

It’s now May, I’m 38 and in a few short days my oldest daughter will turn 13. It seems as if Israel was only a dream now. The things I wish I had thought of when I was there. The things I know know I wish I had known then. Thank you to my friend Daniel who has explained a lot of Christian Orthodoxy to me.

I believe my last post left me with having clean clothes and resting on the sea of Galilee. Although, it is not called the sea of Galilee there in Israel… It is, Kineret. We stayed at the YMCA hostel, which I must say was very, VERY, nice. If you must find yourself in Tiberias, be sure to stay at the Y. (A side note: It wasn’t until we arrived at the Y, and my host, Nir, who handled our lodging, did I know we would each have our own room. I have always shared lodging with others wherever I traveled. Tents, hotels, even cars. I was concerned he might snore all night. Trust me on this one, I’ve been baptized with fire sleeping in the same room with people who snore… Greg, Steve, are you reading this? I was willing to live a little knowing the risk that my host might snore… I guess, Nir must have thought the same thing about me…”I bet he snores… I better get separate rooms. I don’t want to be up all night.”)

I do appreciate the thoughtfulness of my host. Wanting to see what the sunrise on the sea of Galilee, I set my alarm just before sunrise.

It was a windy and choppy morning on the lake. It gave me a great perspective on what a storm might be like on the water. I must say, I wouldn’t have wanted to be on the lake that morning. A small boat was anchored near the shore and it was taking a beating from the waves. Now mind you, this wasn’t a storm… This was a nice windy winter morning. No surprise that the apostle flipped out when their boat was taking on water and Jesus was sleeping in the boat.

Not sure I could have slept peacefully on this windy winter morning in any sized boat on the water. What might a storm on the lake look like?

Breakfast was wonderful and I enjoyed food I was not custom to.

We made our way north to the Mt. of Beatitudes. My guide was not familiar with the reasoning or background to why such a name. It was my pleasure to share a bit of Matthew chapter 5 with him.

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The church that honors this story has atop the church stain glass windows with the verses in latin. My latin is rusty but I was able to figure it out…

After leaving the mount of the Beatitudes, we journeyed onward to another section of the Mt. of Beatitudes to Domus Galilaeae International Center.

I must say this place was amazing and I only wish my hebrew was something.

Our early arrival had put us in position to receive a private tour… However, this was quickly defeated by several others looking for a tour. I don’t really mind sharing, it’s just that our guide, Philip from Poland was going to give us a tour in english… As other visitors arrived it seemed as if hebrew would be the choice language. Philip started in english but quickly moved on for the other guest since I lagged behind taking many photos. I think one should take the tour and notes… then, go back though and take photos. I have to admit there is much of the story and design to this place I simply did not get.

“The meaning for “Domus Galilaeae” has been underlined several times… To read the Gospel in the light of tradition and of the Hebrew Liturgies”

I love this idea. It seems to me that much of the Old Testament has been forsaken. It was this scripture that Paul would say,

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17

Surly Paul wasn’t talking about his own letter being scripture to Timothy… If so, why would Paul say, “how from infancy you have known the holy Scripture,”?

This is what I liked about the Domus Galilaeae… It is a learning place to find Christ in the pages of the Scriptures of the Old Testament.

This room is the room where dwelling in the word or “Lectio Divina” takes place. There is so much symbolism put in place by the architect who was no architect at all but an artist. He worked with skilled architects to put together this facility.

For example, notice the lamps… They’re shaped in the form of water drops. It symbolizes that God’s word falls from heaven and like water that falls to the earth it brings forth life and growth. God’s word when brought to the earth gives life and growth.

It’s difficult to see, but the walls are textured like the inside of the “womb”. This represents the idea that this is a place of growing, nurturing and preparing for the birth.

Each room, nook and corner seemed to have some type of symbolism. Thus the reason to take the verbal tour first and then pictures.

Beyond these pillars is the garden. Another element in scripture that holds the mysteries of God to his people.

Nir, lining up a shot inside a globe that symbolizes the earth. In the middle of this life sized globe is the Torah. It represents the center of what the world is based around… the Word of God.

In this room lies hundreds of books for study. I think it would be fun to visit this place for a few days and just observe and have conversation about things studied.

I have several other pictures of this place which can be seen on my gallery site.

Next we drove to Kfar Nakhum (Capernaum). This is one of my favorite pictures of the trip.

I know some american church folk who would have a tough time with this sign. Alas, I leave it to the reader to be offended or encouraged by the fact that HOLY PLACES don’t allow “Short Clothes,” “Dogs,” “Guns,” (this I can understand) and “Cigarettes.”


The remains of Capernaum were interesting. The chapel above St. Peters home was closed. All of this was surreal. I’ve only read and imagined these stones my whole life. Now I stand in the very place where heros of faith lived.

What a privilege.

peace.
johno~

A new year and a new blog.

peace.

johno~

(Panorama taken from the top of Mt. Tabor)

It has yet to cease in it’s amazement the fury and pace of my time in Israel. I have had more thoughts and questions, insights and renewed conviction than ever before in my life. I think it’s what draws this story line out. It seems to be more and more a part of my daily life.

Photos do tell a story. I guess that’s why I love photography. Jesus told word pictures called parables… “The Kingdom of heaven is like…” a man who… a woman who… a mustard seed… a treasure… a net… king… a landowner… Jesus had a way of drawing the crowd into a physical thing to reveal a spiritual thing.

I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

What an image… Children? hmm.

In Israel, things are very physical. I know that sounds like a stupid statement and it probably is. However, growing up in a protestant/restorationist movement, I was always taught physical wasn’t the point. We don’t worship idols or anything physical because God is spirit and we only worship in spirit and truth. It was the scripture that said, “you believe because you’ve seen, blessed are those who believe but have never seen.” So for me the physical Israel vs. the Spiritual Israel, started to clash in my system… and I had been in Israel less than 24 hours. Everything that I had read about, that I believed about I was seeing. My photos and my eyes began to capture glimpses of the kingdom of heaven.

After leaving Nazareth, Nir and I headed further north to Mt. Tabor.

Mt. Tabor sits at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, 11 miles (17 km) west of the Sea of Galilee. Its elevation at the summit is 1,843 feet (575 m) high and believe me, it seems higher. It is used in Scripture as a symbol of majesty. Jeremiah 46:18 (NASB) “‘As I live,’ declares the King Whose name is the Lord of hosts, ‘Surely one shall come who looms up like Tabor among the mountains, Or like Carmel by the sea’” It is majestic.

As we made the climb, in our vehicle not with our legs, I was amazed at the view. It is no wonder early church fathers would have considered this to be a place of importance and claimed it for the majesty of Christ’s Transfiguration. And that is what lies at the top of this mountain, the Basilica of the Transfiguration.

The date of the earliest churches on Mt. Tabor is unknown. The Anonymous Pilgrim of Piacenza saw three basilicas in 570. Willibald, 8th Century, mentions only one church dedicated to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. The current church was built in 1924 and belongs to the Franciscans.

There were a few pilgrims there… some were re-reading the accounts from their bibles Matthew chapter 17 or perhaps Mark 9, and I found myself having a hard time relating. My mind and my teaching was screaming, “THIS IS NOT THE PLACE!” “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

My spiritual instruction taught:
Mt. Tabor is probably not the location for the Transfiguration: 1) Jesus and his disciples are in the region of Caesarea Philippi just prior to the Transfiguration. 2) The general location of the mountain is not isolated. Much traffic passed by through the Jezreel Valley below. 3) A military fort was located on top of the mountain and was clearly in use during the Hasmonean period and the time of the Jewish Revolt, and likely would have been in Jesus’ day as well. Lastly, we just don’t know.

For a moment it felt like I was standing on a mental soapbox screaming, Christmas is not Jesus’ birthday… We don’t know when he was born.” instead of embracing the memory of Peters words, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.”

As I stepped into the church, it seemed to be more simple than I would have thought.

The monk was eyeing Nir and I… I was scared that he might tell us to stop shooting pictures. However, he never said a word.

I noticed a room set off in the back of the church, almost hiding… I’m not sure what the room was for but it’s contents were simple.

a small cross atop a table. What struck me was the simple physical presence of the cross, almost begging me to come and sit at the table.

As I left the room, I found a back pew with a bench for kneeling in prayer. (side note, why don’t we have those in our churches today?) I knelt down and asked for forgiveness and grace.

Christ was 100% man, physical and 100% God. I cannot embrace only half of that message.

I’m still not sure if this is the place we read about in the bible… most likely it is not. However, it is holy ground. “For where two or three come together in my name,” Jesus says, “there I am with them.”

As we went down the mountain, I know Nir wondered my thoughts… He asked several times. It seems like I could never really express them because I was overwhelmed at so many points. I hope the times I spoke were clear enough. I remember a question he asked often, “Is this an important place to you?” His hospitality on a scale of 1-10 was 11+.

As we made our trek into Tiberius we arrived at the sea of Galilee for the night. I was low on laundry and needed to drop them by the cleaners. Nir’s unfailing GPS “girlfriend” got so mad at us she stopped talking and led us into empty back ally ways. she kept telling us to turn right. “Yamina” I’m sure I’ve misspelled it. a few phone calls later, my laundry was in the proper hands.

We had a wonderful dinner and returned to the YMCA hostel for a good nights rest.

The sun came early, the weather was wonderful and a new day was about to begin.

peace.
johno~

Once again, I found a video, most likely seen by everyone but me. I had to post this video for my friend Jason and any others who enjoy having a family dog.

peace.
johno~

It’s hard to imagine it’s been three months since my trip. So much has taken place since then. What seems to have been so near, now seems so far away. As I revisit my photographical journey, I seem to have more questions, thoughts, joys and some regrets. Regrets in only that I could have done more, asked more or said more. Ever have that feeling?

Again, much thanks and love to friend, Nir and his family. Without their contribution and generosity none of this would have happened.

As I arrived in Israel, I new I was not in Kansas. I gathered my luggage and before I could walk through the exit, a plain clothed man approached me and said something in hebrew… (Oh if only I had taken hebrew in college and not ancient greek)

He soon realized, I guess by the dumbfound look on my face and my response of, “what?” that english was my primary language. He then asked what I had in my luggage create, where I was traveling from and a few other things… of which I was still trying to think of all the gifts I had brought from Africa… “Gifts, dolls, baskets, headlamp, water bottles… I was going down the list trying to be as detailed as possible, until he said, “OK GO!” I think he must have thought, “This guys to stupid to be a threat.”

As I exited into the arrival terminal, I was eagerly looking for a face that I had only seen via the internet. Do you every remember the first time you met someone and saw them for the first time?

This is the view from my friend Nir… I can only wonder what he was thinking as he fired away with his camera. What a joy it was to see a familiar face.

As we made our way out of the airport in the early morning, I knew the journey of a lifetime was taking place… and I knew I needed coffee.

We drove north to Galilee talking about my time in Africa and the discussing the detailed itinerary Nir had worked so hard on. Nir was very thoughtful about making sure I got to see everything I wanted to see. The truth is… Had I only had a short layover and had coffee with my friend, I would have had everything I needed. SO, everything else was a bonus.

As we drove north, we saw the sign for Megiddo, known to Christians as Armageddon. Why not. How many times in ones life do they get to visit the final battle ground between good and evil. Although I have a bit of a different take on the writing of the apostle John than most premillinialist, I still thought it would be nice to see.

Ruins of Megiddo

View facing Nazareth. City on left side hilltop

a tunnel that led to water, which kept Megiddo strong while under siege.”

reconstructed map room of Megiddo

In all a very impressive location. What really struck me was the beauty of the surrounding area. I didn’t think of war or battles, I thought of peace.

As we made our way further north we drove to Nazareth.

I kept thinking of the story of Philip and Nathanael, John 1:43-50

Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!” Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.”

- the Message

I’ve always wondered about that verse. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding. The funny thing is, the first thing I really saw was a KFC. You’ve got to be kidding. The stomping grounds of Jesus’ youth… KFC. Not only KFC but a Toys ‘R’ Us. It was getting worse as we drove further into the city.

But the faithful guide that I had, led me not to fast food chains or Junk ‘4′ Them, rather, he took me to the ruins of “Mary’s” home which has a church built around it.

“Basilica of the Annunciation”

WOW! my first old “church” building. Now, as a “restoration” kid, one who has tried to eliminate 2000 years of human intervention and legal tradition of Christendom, a church building is just a building. The people make it holy. As I took in the sites and firing away with my camera…

“mosaic image at the Basilica of the Annunciation church”

a man approached us, speaking quickly and in a angry tone and of course, not in english. Nir approached him and listened. Returning to me, Nir’s first words were, “OK, this man was very rude, and…” Great! My first interaction with a church person and he’s rude. We were told we could not bring in our “big” cameras and if we wanted to take pictures we could only use small point and shoot’s. What the? He didn’t even ask our names, he didn’t say welcome or praise the Lord you are here. He assumed, demanded and was rude. None of which I find in the “fruit of the Spirit.” Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self Control. What really hurt was this, my friend Nir respects my faith, but it is not his belief. He’s taken time away from his family to show me some “holy” sites and this is the message the church gives to strangers. I was ashamed.

Now this is why this story comes in so many parts. I’ve struggled with questions of how we in the US, treat people who step on our holy ground. Not just in our building, but in our lives. Have they been close to the presence of the Messiah, the one who lives in you, only to be shut down or shut up? My feeling is that we have been guilty of the same assumptions in the church. Not church buildings but the church people… the body, the community of believers. Where is our repenting? Where is our memory of salvation and grace in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us?

As we entered into the “church building” it seemed that mass was taking place. Knowing what I do know, I’m surprised they even let us in during communion. This is what I saw:

silent angel

Mass behind closed gates

an elegant building with empty pews

a small window to heaven

I’m not sure if you are thinking the same thoughts that are running though my head. But it was not anything like the Jesus I had read about or the church that I’ve read about.

people on the outside not sure if they could come in. I guess that’s why Jesus went out to the mountainside… to find people.

Of course you may note, we did use our cameras inside when no one was looking. My apologizes to the owner.

As we left, I realized I want to be less critical and more loving. Love God, Love your neighbor.

I want to stop making it hard for people to meet Jesus.

bars above the gate to the church

Peace.
johno~

:full slideshow here:

Yesterday was a GREAT day. Miriam celebrated her 9th birthday on April 9th. When your age matches your birth date, it’s a special time. GOLDEN.

I hope you never forget the wonderful day you had… I love you.

Papa.

The long awaited story begins…

It’s been a while since my last post. Yes, I still need to share about my trip to Uganda, however, I want to start with Israel.

The Talmud teaches that “Ten measures of beauty descended on the world—nine were taken by Jerusalem, one by the rest of the world. There is no beauty like the beauty of Jerusalem.

“The sights are too many. They swarm about you at every step; no single foot of ground in all Jerusalem or within its neighborhood seems to be without a stirring and important history of its own.”

-Mark Twain

This is just how I feel about all of Israel. I cannot count the blessings I have had poured out on me during the last months. If I could share completely with you what has taken place in my life, you would understand my absence in blogger land. So, dust off those RSS readers or at least add mine back to your list and I will try to pick up this thing called blogging again.

Every life is a story. I would ask you, “what’s yours?” but that would be something for your blog. Mine is an adventure. It is abundant and overflowing. Thank you Lord.

About 4 years ago, I had entered a picture into Kodak Picture of the Day. I had learned about the POTD through dgrin, a photographers forum sponsored by Smugmug. Through that forum, I met many wonderful people… Andy, who took a picture of my picture displayed in Time Square, Ginger, a wonderful lady and photographer who passed away summer of 2007… The list goes on and on.

But there is one more… Nir Alon.

Nir and I first started our conversation over an article he had written on Ein-Karem, the traditional birth place of John the Baptist. One email lead to another and another and another. An internet friendship was born.

It’s funny… Meeting Nir’s wife, Dorit, for the first time, she said she had a hard time explaining to her friends that her husband was spending three days in northern Israel with a man he met on the internet. (I still laugh every time I share that) I apologize Dorit.

Anyhow, an internet friendship was born. The truth is this, I would not have made my trip to Israel such a priority had it not been for the friendship developed with Nir and his family.

Nir is a very talented photographer of which he will disagree because he is also humble. He has highly recognized by his community through projects like “In Spite Of” and his current project, Malkis Legacy. On top of all this, he is a Husband and father of three. Although his oldest, Uri is out of the house serving in the Navy, his two daughters, Tamar (17?) and Hila (13) are keeping him on his toes.

It was a wonderful time. Although Nir and I have different views on Faith, it didn’t stop our conversation. It was a joy to share my perspective on faith in his land and also to hear of his perspective on the state of Israel. (So many have given their lives for Israel… It’s a beautiful place because the cost is high). Meeting Nir and spending time with him on the “road” fulfilled more than both he or I could ever know.

My blog title is “road to gaza” which Nir tells me, “Gaza could be interpreted as ‘Hell.’” Nice, the “Road to Hell” Never thought about it that way. I of course took the name from the book of Acts and the story of Philip and the Ethiopian conversion. The point was inspired by people you meet on the road not the destination. (Although, having said that, I meet a lot of people who’s lives are a road leading to hell… They are harassed, helpless and without hope) Nir and I traveled a road… not to Gaza, which is a good thing since the time I was there, conflict was heavy and still is as of the writing of this blog.

No, our road led to different places…

Jerusalem, City of Gold and the home of Nir Alon. I’m not sure what seeds fell, where they fell or how much yield will come from the crop of our journey together. I only know what has started to grow in my life because of my friendship and my life is changed for the better.

As I continue to share in future parts of this story, you will hear my questions and thoughts about the physical vs. the spiritual, the traditional vs. the mystery and the humanity vs. the humanity. It was a lot to take in. I only know I missed most of it. Yet, what I did manage to capture will stay with me forever. Some are photos, some are thoughts… all of it is heart.

peace.
johno~