DAVID AND GOLIATH BATTLE in 1st Samuel 17
Located half-way Haifa and Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Coast. It was founded by Herod the Great in the first century BC on the site known as Straton’s Tower. Herod named the city for his patron, Augustus Caesar.
Archaeological excavation work on the site began in the 1950’s. They uncovered the Crusader city and ruins from many periods in the life of the city. During the last 30 years impressive excavation work has uncovered many impressive reminders of the forgotten grandeur of this ancient city.
Herod the Great founded the city in the first century BC on the site of the Phoenician and Greek trading post known as Straton’s Tower. The Jewish historian Josephus describes the city in detail. It was a walled city, with the largest harbor in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The temple of the city, dedicated to Augustus Caesar, was built on a high podium facing the harbor. A broad flight of steps led from the pier to the temple. Public buildings and elaborate entertainment facilities in the imperial tradition were erected. King Herod’s palace was in the southern part of the city.
Caesarea played an important role in early Christian history. Here the baptism of Cornelius took place; (Acts 10:1-5, 25-28) from here Paul set sail for his journeys in the eastern Mediterranean; and here he was taken prisoner and sent to Rome for trial. (Acts 23:23-24)
The Roman Theater is located in the south of the city. The theater faces the sea and has thousands of seats resting on a semi-circular structure of vaults. The semi-circular floor of the orchestra, first paved in painted plaster, was later paved with marble.
Caesarea became an important Christian center during the Byzantine Era (400AD to 628AD). At the beginning of the 4th century, the theologian Eusebius, who served as Bishop of Caesarea, composed here his book Ecclesiastical History on the beginnings of Christianity.
The main church was the Martyrion of the Holy Procopius, built in the 6th century upon the remains of the Roman temple on the podium.
Remains of a 5th century synagogue were found on the seashore north of the harbor. The rectangular building faces south towards Jerusalem.
In 639, Caesarea was conquered by the Arabs and its importance, as well as its population, dwindled. Urban areas were abandoned and replaced by agricultural terraces. This Arab town was surrounded in the 10th century by a 3 m.-thick wall, remains of which were found during the excavations.
Caesarea is a most impressive archeological site, open to the public. One can visit the Roman-period theater, King Herod’s palace, the amphitheater and much more. One can also cross the moat, enter the restored Crusader city and look towards the harbor from the top of the podium.
The Lord is thinking about you right now
24/7 – Always – everything
Never far from His thoughts
Thinking about everything that concerns you
He has a plan for your life
Before you were thought about, before you were born
The Lord made a special plan, a good plan for your life
A plan with substance and Value-Jesus loves you
His thoughts toward you are thoughts for good
Not general thoughts about mankind
Thoughts specifically about you
He knows your name, He knows where you are, Jesus is with you
Jesus has plans to prosper you
Not in the future but right now
Where you are is where you are great
You are great because the Lord is with you and He is prospering you
The Lord thinks no evil towards you
An ex may wish ill for you, a former friend may seek your failure
A former employer or relative may be thinking evil thoughts towards you
Jesus never ever thinks ill of you, His every thought about you is positive and good
God will not abandon you
Hangers on might abandon you, parents, friends and others may run from you
The Lord has comfort for you, He brings you strength, He is merciful and mighty
His covenant with you is “I will not fail you or abandon you”
The Lord gives you hope, healing hope, loving hope
He will take away the pain of loss so we can anticipate better days
He will equip us, enable us, encourage us to anticipate the good coming our way
He is our hope; Jesus gives us a reason for living even when we lose
Jesus is our success
His formula for our success is that we meditate on the Word of God
Meditate day and night to observe His Word, to know Him
Do His Word, in obedience and surrender
He has good plans for you
Jesus sees your future and He says it is good
Bend the knee, be rich in good works, always ready to share
Be extravagantly GENEROUS, and others will see Jesus and His plans in you
Clay Corvin February 13, 2016
Here we are – the land of God
From all the Earth – He chose here
God’s decisions are perfect and complete-He is God, we are not
Dirt, rocks, multiplicity of terrain in a very compact land
Christ walked here, taught here,
Here we are- the land of God
It can be very barren, just ahead is watered beauty
Jesus ministered here, came from His throne in heaven to teach us
Here we are – the land of God
Prophets, priests and kings, archaeology testifies to their truth
They were here, the very places we walk and talk
Here we are – the land of God
We have built a great, close relationship with Jesus in our homeland
God is with us in our homeland, but the drama for us was acted out in Israel
Here we are – the land of God
Christ lived a perfect life-most of his ministry in the Galilee
I want to see where this happened, to know with my own senses
Here we are – the land of God
I see it, I feel it, I’ve walked where He walked
Everyday His Word will be in living color, I’ve been where Christ taught
Here we are – the land of God
Clay Corvin – March 9, 2020
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE – WINTER 2020
Thursday-Jan 9, 2020
P/U group airport-We were there about 1 1/2 hours. They have an Aroma Espresso Bar right at the entrance/exit for group pickup. The group had a bit of a problem getting thru immigration but they all got through and got their luggage.
They were tired. We had a full day ahead of us but it was raining, really raining outside.
Israel is experiencing the heaviest rain in 50 years in the north and the heaviest rain in 79 years in the south. The worst flooding was in the south because the land is dry, desert while the north is relatively green. We didn’t have any problem from flooding at the airport or where we were going but it was raining heavily.
We had lunch at Or Akiva. This is a local mall near Caesarea. It’s a good chance for the folks to mix with locals and hear the Hebrew language being spoken. Many of the folks had McDonald’s, or pizza or other types of sandwiches. We ate at the Aroma Espresso and had salads, sandwiches or soup. Still raining.
We got to Caesarea about 1pm and the rain stopped. We walked thru the amphitheater, had a devotional, went to Herod’s Palace and then returned to the bus. Very little rain until we got back on the bus and left Caesarea
Mt Carmel was a 45 minute drive in the rain. Their guard saw us coming up the road in the heavy rain and opened the gate so that we could drive up near their chapel. We got off the bus in a pretty good rain and went into the chapel. Outside was the statute of Elijah slaying the prophets of Baal. Excellent devotional in the chapel. Some of the folks went up-stairs to the roof to see the view of the beginning of the Jezreel and across the Lower Galilee. There is a list of things one can see but it was raining and folks didn’t take much time looking around. This was a bathroom stop also and then all of us got on the bus. The rain had begun again fairly hard, it was cold, everyone arriving had been awake a long time so we bypassed Nazareth and went straight to Nof Ginosar where we would overnight for 4 nights.
My first experience at Nof Ginosar was in 1992. We stayed at an inexpensive place nearby that didn’t serve food so I went by and met their Food service manager and we began a friendship that’s lasted until today. I contracted with him for our breakfast and dinner for about 10 years when we were in the Galilee unless we were staying at a place that had food service. The food at Nof Ginosar has always been the very best food in the Galilee. Based on our meals so far this week it still is excellent.
At 5:20 pm we had Bible Study in the Mt. Hermon room. Dr Dukes is leading us through the General Epistle of James.
Dinner
Heavy rain all evening.
FRIDAY -JAN 10
We got up this morning and the sky was cloudy but not raining. We had breakfast and loaded the bus for the morning devotional by Dr. Parker-He is talking about faith in Hebrews.
We walked across the parking lot to the Ancient Boat exhibit and then left the pavilion and walked down to the dock to get on the Galilee Boat. We cruised the northern part of the Sea of Galilee pointing out the various landmarks for our folks. Most of the people are first timers in Israel. That is a rewarding experience to be with folks on their first trip to Israel. We had our devotional on the boat and sailed back to Nof Ginosar with the sun peeking through the clouds. We left the boat and loaded the bus and headed out to visit the Mount of Beatitudes.
It is a beautiful day. A little chilly, a little cloudy but amazingly some sun peeking out. By the time we got to the Mount of Beatitudes there was no threat of rain. We had a great time visiting the site, having our devotional, taking pictures and then we returned to our Bus. Our driver is Dobi. He’s driven for us a lot and we really like him. He is very good at driving. Very good.
We went down through the natural amphitheater of the hill and drove around to the Primacy of Peter where Jesus met the disciples as they were coming in from fishing all night. He suggested the throw their nets again and they caught so many fish that the net barely held them and Peter realized it was the resurrected Lord Jesus. Beautiful chapel on this site and I really always enjoy visiting here because of the simplicity of the site. We always take pictures.
Capernaum was just up the road from the Primacy and that was our next stop. We visited the town of Jesus and the synagogue of Jesus. Pictures, our devotional on the site, commentary about the site including Peter’s house and then returned to the bus where we would load up and go to dinner in Migdala.
We had lunch at a Falafel stand in Migdala that also serves schnitzel and shawarma. Lunch didn’t take long and we were on our way in beautiful weather. Thank you Lord. It was still raining in many places in Israel.
Kursi on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee was our next stop. Kursi is the site of the largest known Byzantine monastery complex in Israel, whose impressive remains have been partly reconstructed. On the side of the hill behind the monastery are the remains of an earlier chapel, built into a cave.
This is the traditional site for the healing of the demoniac of Gergasa and the casting of the demons into the swine. Excellent site that gives a good representation of a basilica.
We left Kursi and drove further down the eastern shore toward the turnoff to Hippos, one of the towns of the Decapolis-a Roman city during the time of Jesus. Oops we got there and the road was cut so we wandered in the bus through a farm-banana farm trying to get around the cut. We couldn’t. Bummer. On the way out of the banana farm we stopped a four-wheeler and asked why the road was cut? He said in the heavy rains, some land mines were washed out of the ground and were on the roadway up the mountain. Thank you Lord the road was cut and we couldn’t drive up the mountain.
Today at sundown Shabbat begins, shalom Shabbat! We had about an hour or so before everything closed so we visited Aroma and had coffee-I had ginger and turmeric tea, and then drove around the southern end of the Sea of Galilee to Tamar Bakfar-dried fruits, nuts, teas and an excellent stop.
Back to Nof Ginosar for overnight. Bible study in James. Off to be and 6am came way before I was ready!a
Thank you for praying for us. Many blessings.
SATURDAY – JAN 11
Beautiful weather again where we are and heavy rain continues north of and south of us.
Breakfast at Nof Ginosar is outstanding. We don’t have hot food this morning because it was Shabbat. But there were eight kinds of bread, a multiplicity of pastries, five homemade jellies and jams, fresh vegetables, multiple salads and juices and coffee. I think breakfast in Israel is my favorite meal.
Our first stop is BEIT SHEAN a city in the Northern District of Israel, which has played an important role in history due to its geographical location at the junction of the Jordan River Valley and the Jezreel Valley. In the Biblical account of the battle of the Israelites against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, the bodies of King Saul and three of his sons were hung on the walls of Beit She’an (1 Samuel 31:10-12). In Roman times, Beit Shean was the leading city of the Decapolis, a league of pagan cities. Beit Shean was occupied as early as 6,000 BC and with a few periods of non-occupation continues to be a city until this day. It has a long period of control by the various civilizations that ruled in the various periods. But we are focusing primarily on the Biblical account in the Old Testament and the Roman occupation during the New Testament times. It was and is an important city. In Biblical times it was most often a pagan city.
We were at Beit Shean about 2 hours and then drove to BETH ALPHA. The Beth Alpha synagogue was uncovered in 1928 by members of the nearby Kibbutz Hefzibah. They stumbled upon the synagogues extensive mosaic floors during irrigation construction. Excavations began in 1929 under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and were led by Israeli archaeologist, Eleazar Sukenik. In 1962 Israel Antiquities Authority explored the residential structures surrounding the synagogue. We don’t really know why they had zodiac representations and other pagan symbols in their mosaics. It could have been for a variety of reasons, including the possibility of syncretism.
Our next site was EIN HAROD On the slopes of Mount Gilboa. It has a cold spring that bubbles in a cave that flows into the Jezreel Valley. Although a peaceful setting today with green lawns and eucalyptus trees for shady picnics, it was at one time known only for war. More than 3,000 years ago, after Joshua’s victories and before the time of the Kings, 15 different Judges ruled Israel. These Judges, 14 men and one woman, were more like “deliverers” than what we think of as actual judges today. One of the most famous of these Judges was the “warrior” Gideon. He may not have seemed like a warrior when the angel found him threshing wheat in a winepress (Judges 6:11), and making excuses (Judges 6:13-17), but he did eventually live up to the angel’s greeting. This “mighty warrior” delivered Israel in spectacular fashion. The “Spring of Harod” is the pool where Gideon chose his 300 warriors to battle the Midianites. The warriors were chosen based on how they drank water (Judges 7:1-8). Those who lapped the water like dogs were left behind in historical obscurity. The 300 warriors who drank with a cupped hand went on to immortality. God ordered Gideon to send away 22,000 troops, confusing the Midianites. This spring holds the history of the beginning of a great battle. What started as a battle with tens of thousands became a battle of mere hundreds. The water test dropped Gideon’s army again to a mere 300 men! Who would dare lead such a tiny army against 135,000 Midianites? Maybe the One who holds all things in His hands. In Judges 7:2, God explains that He is the source of our power over impossible circumstances. In Gideon’s case it was God-sized odds, 450 to 1. This lesson still rings true for all of us today; faith in the one true God of Israel is a majority no matter what the odds. The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ (Judges 7:2)
We left Ein Harod and went to Tel Megiddo-(Armageddon). We had lunch first and then toured the site. This is the site of the ancient city of Megiddo. (A Tel is an archaeological mound.) It is situated about 30 km south-east of Haifa. Megiddo is known for its historical, geographical, and theological importance, especially under its Greek name Armageddon. During the Bronze Age, Megiddo was an important Canaanite city and during the Iron Age, a royal city in the Kingdom of Israel. Megiddo drew much of its importance from its strategic location at the northern end of the Wadi Ara defile, which acts as a pass through the Carmel Ridge, and from its position overlooking the rich Jezreel Valley from the west. Excavations have unearthed 26 layers of ruins, indicating a long period of settlement.
Time seems to pass too quickly on these pilgrimages. We hurry across lower Galilee to Sepphoris or Zippori. It is a village and an archaeological site located in the central Galilee region of Israel, 6 kilometers north-northwest of Nazareth. It lies 286 meters above sea level and overlooks the Beit Netofa Valley. The site holds a rich and diverse historical and architectural legacy that includes Hellenistic, Jewish, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, Arab and Ottoman influences. In early Christian tradition it was believed to be the birthplace of Mary, mother of Jesus. Today a 5th-century basilica is excavated at the site honouring the birth of Mary. Notable structures at the site include a Rloman theatre, two early Christian churches, a Crusader fort partly rebuilt, and over sixty different mosaics dating from the third to the sixth century AD. We walked most of the site and it has a steep hill where the Crusader fort and a Roman residential structure is and then down the hill to walk the ancient streets of the Roman town of Sepphoris.
We completed our tour of Sepphoris at 4 pm. It gets dark today at 5:15pm so we hurried across the Lower Galilee to the Porian descent down Highway 768 from sea level to 700 feet below sea level to Highway 90 so that we could see from sea level the beautiful view of the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. (PORIYA comprises three adjacent villages south of Tiberias in northern Israel, specifically Poria, Poria Illit, and Poria-Kfar Avoda. All three lie along Route 768 overlooking the Sea of Galilee. As of 2006 the cumulative population was 1875.)
We drove north on Highway 90 through Tiberias and Magdala to our hotel Nof Ginosar for our Bible Study at 5:45pm and dinner at 6:45pm.
It was a really good day. Our group is outstanding. Everyone has done their best to keep the group moving efficiently so that we can see everything we can of the land of Israel. This is shaping up to be the very best tour EVER!
Thank you
Clay
SUNDAY – JAN 12
We left Nof Ginosar at 8am. Dr. Parker continued our morning devotional in Hebrews.
Chorazin was our first stop today. It is located above the Sea of Galilee about 300 feet above the Sea of Galilee and is on Hwy. 8277 about a mile from Vared HaGalil. Chorazin along with Bethsaida and Capernaum, was named in the gospels of Matthew and Luke as “cities” in which Jesus performed mighty works. However, because these towns rejected his work (“they had not changed their ways”), they were subsequently cursed (Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 10:13-25). The gospels make no other mention of Chorazin or what works had occurred there.
Their currently is more archaeological work on the site.
They have a synagogue from the 4th Century that was destroyed and rebuilt in the 6th Century. It is a black basalt synagogue, similar to the original synagogue at Capernaum. We had our site devotional and took a group picture. Walking into and out of the site was easy now since they have put in a concrete walkway for easy access. We are facing a real time crunch today so we were not here long. Folks took pictures and asked questions and we loaded the bus and headed north up highway 90 passing Tel Hazor, the chief of the three (Tel Gezer, Tel Megiddo) treasure cities.
Tel Dan (ancient Laish) is located due north up the Hula Valley on Hwy. 98 in Israel on the Lebanon border. It is one of the important antiquities sites in Israel, and the state of Israel has proposed that it should be declared a World Heritage Site. The city of Dan is mentioned in a number of sources – in Bible stories and in archaeological finds from Egypt and Iraq. The ancient city reached its height during the Canaanite and Israelite periods. In the days of the Kingdom of Israel, King Jeroboam set up one of the golden calves at Dan. The excavations at Tel Dan have been ongoing for decades, and have revealed, among other things, a Canaanite brick gate that is considered to be the earliest of its kind in the world, and fragments of inscriptions mentioning the House of David and the name of the ancient city.
We were permitted to enter at the back gate. The rain has flooded much of the site and we were not interested in slogging through the mud on the main trails of the large Tel. By entering the back Gate we were able to visit the Abraham Gate and the Israelite (Ahab) Gate.
Abraham Gate (the Canaanite Gate) – an ancient gate from the Canaanite period. The gate was made of mud bricks, and has been preserved to its full height of 7 m. We walked back toward the exit gate and visited the Israelite (Ahab) Gate. Good site visit and out the exit gate and we were on our way around to Caesarea Philippi about 3 miles around from Tel Dan on Hwy. 98.
Caesarea Philippi (Banias) was a place of Pagan Worship from the earliest times. The landscape has an abundance of water. This forms a series of water catchment areas within the Banias National Park, one of the distributary channels of the Jordan River, and a 10-meter waterfall, the largest in Israel.
Alexander the Great conquered this region and from here started his Hellenization of Egypt and Syria. The numerous natural resources have made Banias a place of pagan worship, especially of the god “Pan”, from which derives the name of the place: “Panias”, in Arabic “Banias”, since in the Arabic language there is no letter “P “.
“In the Hellenistic era, the city experienced moments of prestige. Here Herod built a temple in honor of Emperor Caesar Augustus and, before dying, divided his kingdom among his three sons. Banias was destined for Philip, who made it the capital of his kingdom by giving it the name “Caesarea di Philippi” to distinguish it from Caesarea Marittima, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. During his reign, the region developed economically and culturally: coins were minted, and temples, baths, theaters and other public buildings were built.
The archaeological site is located at the foot of Mount Hermon, on the Golan Heights, near the border with Syria and Lebanon. Those visiting it can see the ruins of different eras, ancient structures, palaces, an old water mill in operation, the Grotto of Pan and even touch the refreshing waters of the Hermon River. But above all, the place marks the moment when the identity of Christ and the mission of Peter were understood.
Jesus visited the location cited as the “Gates of Hell” where Christ taught his disciples, Matthew 16:13-19, and had his interchange with Peter.
After Peter confessed Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the Living God”, Jesus replied , “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18, 19). This discourse continued and our site devotional dealt with this statement of Jesus to His disciples.
We had lunch in a Druze village, Masade, at a local cafeteria offering a Druze specialty sandwich of unleavened bread, labneh cheese and hyssop, falafal pita which is excellent or chicken schnitzel in a pita. Lunch was at 3,200 feet above sea level which means we have climbed from 700 feet below sea level to 3,200 feet above sea level here on the side of Mt. Hermon.
We met Ilan Shulman at Merom Golan about 1:30pm for our Jeep Adventure in the 4,000 acres of Kibbutz Merom Golan. Ilan is an IDF Intelligence Officer in the Region and after we four-wheeled up to the Syrian-Israel border he shared with us the terrorist situation on the border and in their area of the Middle East. We finished our time with Ilan’s group about 4pm and drove back to Nof Ginosar. It was foggy coming down the Golan. We arrived back at our hotel about 5pm.
Bible Study at 5:45pm, dinner at 7pm and then off to bed (in a few minutes).
MONDAY – JAN 13, 2020
The trip down the Jordan Valley to Bethabara, the ford in the Jordan where John was Baptizing took about 1 1/2 hours. The Jordan is full, and the land is lush and green. They have just had one of the heaviest rains in 50 years here in the Jordan Valley and indeed rain records have been recorded all over Israel with heavy flooding in many of the desert areas. The wadis going to the Dead Sea have been glutted with water but I don’t think they have had any drownings down there.
Bethabara. “house of the Ford, place of crossing”) name used by some versions of the New Testament for the site “beyond Jordan” where John the Baptist was Baptizing. This is traditionally where he baptized Jesus. “Bethabara” also appears on the 6th-century Madaba Map.
Traditions based on interpretations of the scriptural texts connect the site with two other miracles: the crossing of the River Jordan, whose waters were divinely restrained and Joshua led the twelve tribes of Israel into the Promised Land and the place where the Prophet Elijah was taken to heaven in chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:9, 11). When we arrived we were going to walk down to the water but we discovered the water had come up to us as the Jordan had seriously risen and was almost up to our landing. It would be very hard to baptize someone in the Jordan today.
We continue down Hwy. 90 toward Qumran which would be our next stop. We pointed out Jericho, the Judean Wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days and Kalia Beach where we would finish our day floating in the Dead Sea.
QUMRAN and the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is probably the greatest archaeological find in history. In one event we moved the Oldest Old Testament translation back in time from 1,000 AD to 200 BC. Now we had OT Bible in Hebrew that dated 1,200 years older and they were exactly without any major differences like those current translations of the OT Bible. Dr. Parker took us through the details and then we toured the site. Qumran is amazing. We had lunch and then hit the road for Masada, the wilderness fortress.
MASADA – The fortress of Masada was built in the year 30 BCE by King Herod, whose architectural feats have left their mark throughout the country. At the beginning of the great revolt against Rome in the year 68 CE, the site was conquered by a group of Jewish zealots, and Masada became their last stronghold.
In the year 72, the Romans besieged Masada and succeeded in reaching the steep fortress after constructing a huge earthen ramp on its western side. In the year 73, the 960 Jewish zealots living at the top of Masada chose to commit suicide rather than to fall into the hands of the Romans alive. Their deeds left behind a saga of courage, heroism, and martyrdom.
We took the lift to the top of Masada and toured the site. It’s huge and we spent about 2 hours in the fortress.
KALIA BEACH-I think about 15 folks went into the Dead Sea to float in that extremely salty, mineral water. It’s different. The stuff in the water is great for psoriasis, other kinds of sores, and general aches and pains. The black mud on the bottom is prized for its healing properties. There is much more to it but that generally summarizes the facts. It is important and its good for folks to experience it.
It was dark as we entered Jerusalem. The 15 miles from Kalia Beach to Jerusalem goes from 1,300 feet below sea level to about 2,900 feet above sea level. A 4,200 foot climb in 15 miles which is a fair climb. My ears popped about 1,000 feet above sea level.
The Dan Panorama would be our home until we depart late Thursday night. Our fair-well dinner will be here at the Dan right before we go to the airport to return home.
We had dinner at 6:30 and Bible Study at 7:30pm.
Our tour has been extremely exciting and our students intently involved in the examining the land of Israel. It is really wonderful to travel with so many first timers to the Land of the Bible. The pilgrimage is everything we planned for it to be. If you have not been to Israel, you really need to come.
One of the students when we were at Gethsemane asked if this was part of the Mount of Olives. Yes it is and in fact it is at the base of the Mount of Olives. “You mean it’s that close?” Yes it is. Then I showed him how when Jesus came to Jerusalem he would go thru Bethany about 1 1/2 miles from Jerusalem on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Then he would continue to the top of the Mount of Olives which was a sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem (2/3 of a mile). The brow of the Mount of Olives is where we would have a beautiful view of the Jerusalem ( also where on Palm Sunday they hailed Jesus as the king and he said if he hushed the crowd the rocks would cry out). Down at the bottom of the hill is Gethsemane which means “olive oil press” and indeed is an Olive tree orchard with some of the trees more than 2,000 years old. Great question as were hundreds of other questions.
Another good day and an excellent pilgrimage continues.
TUESDAY – JAN 14, 2020
WE DONT REMEMBER DAYS. WE REMEMBER MOMENTS
We are at the Dan Panorama until the group leaves Thursday night after our farewell dinner. The week will go fast. Breakfast then we leave the hotel for our touring day.
Gethsemane is our first stop. We are the early birds here because everyone else is on the Mount of Olives. There are only a few groups here and the Catholics priest, Spanish, permits us to go into the Garden even though our appointment is at 10am. Blanca asks him for permission in Spanish and I think received favor because she spoke to him in their native language. Chilly. Devotional overlooks the Kidron Valley and looks up at the Eastern Gate (Golden Gate). The Garden has some olive trees that date back to the time of Christ (the roots do anyway because the Romans in 70AD destroyed everything in Jerusalem-the roots would have survived).
Mt of Olives is our second stop. It’s bit of a drive to get around by Wadi Joz and then up the hill. The traffic is ferocious as it often is in Jerusalem. The view of the Old City is spectacular and the students had a lot of fun riding the camel. Our devotional was in a small alcove overlooking the Kidron Valley and the Old City of Jerusalem. It is crowded but some of the 8 o’clock crowds have departed. Dobi winds up directing traffic to get everyone in and out.
The Old City of Jerusalem is circled by a wall almost 1 1/2 miles in circumference. Starting with the Jaffa Gate on the West side of the city. You enter the Christian Quarter or Armenian Quarter through this gate and traveling clockwise around the city the next gate is the New Gate, maybe two hundred plus years old that was cut so the Catholics could get to the Latin Patriarchate without going through the Moslem Quarter. The Damascus Gate is next and is on the north side of the Old City and is the border for the Moslem Quarter. The Herod Gate (Flower Gate) is next about 200 yards further from the Damascus Gate and enters into the heart of the Moslem Quarter. Continuing our trip around the Old City the Lion Gate (St. Stephen’s Gate) is next and it also enters the Moslem Quarter and the beginning of the Via Dolorosa. The Dung Gate (and next to it a very small gate called the Tanner’s Gate) is next and it is on the southern side of the Old City and enters the Jewish Quarter. Next is the Zion Gate. It enters the Armenian Quarter and the western side of the Jewish Quarter. That completes our circuit of the Old City and its gates.
St Peter in Gallicantu (the place of the cock crowing) is our next stop. This is the traditional location of Caiaphas’ House where Peter denied Jesus. There is a Roman Stepped Way next to this location. This Stepped Way dates back to the time of Jesus and would have been the way that the guards/soldiers would have brought Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane across the Kidron Valley and up to Ciaiphas’ House.
We left St. Peter in Gallicantu and drove down to Ramat Rachel for lunch. This is a very wealthy kibbutz on the outskirts of the city and borders Bethlehem.
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was our next stop. We crossed the border into the Palestinian Terr. and traveled Manger road to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. Adjoining the older facility is a fairly new St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church. The visit went well, we were only in line about 30 minutes because we came before 1pm while others are having lunch.
Edward Tabash and sons people meet us at the border and run interference for us the whole time we are in the Palestinian Territory. The group visited their Olive Wood store after our visit to the Church of the Nativity.
Returning to Israel from Bethlehem we visited the American Embassy right on the border and then the very large scale model of Jerusalem at the time of Christ and the Shrine of the book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are stored.
Devotion in the Alon Room at the Dan Panorama, dinner and the day was over for me. I was worn out. It was a rewarding, long day.
Blanca and Jim Parker took those that wanted to over to Shaban’s store in the Christian Quarter for shopping. It’s magical, exciting, memorable to walk through the Suk at night. They had a good time.
Five of our students stopped at Razzouk’s and got a Christian tattoo. Tattooing is an art the Razzouk family introduced to Palestine centuries ago. Bringing it with them from Egypt when they moved here for trade, this art has been in the family for 700 hundred years starting in Egypt. Their ancestors used tattoos to mark Christian Copts with a small cross on the inside of the wrist to grant them access to churches. Those without it would have difficulty entering the church; therefore, and from a very young age (sometimes even a few months old) Christians would tattoo their children with the cross identifying them as Copts.They continue this family tradition offering tattoos to visitors to the Old City of Jerusalem.
WEDNESDAY – JAN 15, 2020
Another beautiful day. The weather is cool but not cold and the Sun is shining.
We began our day at the Temple Mount arriving about 7:45am. We were ahead of almost all of the tour groups and indeed walked right through Security and onto the Temple Mount. Today there is the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque (705 AD) is built on the ancient Temple Mount and is the third holiest site in the Moslem faith. It is the Distant Mosque noted as the location of the midnight ride of Mohammed whose horse’s hooves touched the rock of Moriah where the Dome of the Rock stands.
We left the Temple Mount, walked by the Lion Gate and went to the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne Church. Both date to the time of Jesus.
The Group:
Visited Wailing Wall (the Kotel Tunnel) which goes alongside of the Temple Mount about 1,600 feet and is the street level of the city at the time of Christ.
Lithostrotos is located about 300 yards up the Via Dolorosa from the Church of St. Anne. It is a part of the Roman arch and Antonio Fortress where Jesus was condemned and is a street pavement below from the time of Jesus.
The group had lunch in Jewish Quarter
They returned and visited the Russian Church of the Judgement Gate and the Holy Sepulcher and then had a short time of shopping in the Muristan and surrounding areas.
They completed their touring day in the Upper Room. They were the only group at the time in the Upper Room so they sang a song and had the devotional.
They returned to the hotel for our Bible Study and dinner.
MY Day:
I left the group at Bethesda and wandered the Old City. I visited the Damascus Gate area, walked the Via Dolorosa, stopped and had mint tea, talked with some shopkeepers, went through the Jewish Quarter and part of the Armenian Quarter, up to the Jaffa Gate area, had soup at the Aroma Expresso Bar at the Mamilla for lunch, walked around the city outside the walls and up to our hotel the Dan Panorama arriving shortly before the group returned. Lots of walking (13,000 steps for me.
Another outstanding day of touring.
THURSDAY- JAN 16, 2020
Last touring day. Group goes home tonight and arrives home in USA mid-morning Friday.
We moved a little slower this morning. I think all are tired as we have gone full speed for 9 days including today. We had breakfast and left the hotel at 8:30am.
Our first stop was Herodion. It is a truncated-cone-shaped hill, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of Jerusalem in the Judean Desert. Herod the Great built a palace fortress and a small town at Herodium, between 23 and 15 BCE, and buried there. The Herodium is 758 meters (2 ,487 ft) above sea level and is the highest peak in the Judean Desert. Today, Israel National Parks Authority controls the site. The site visit took about 1 1/2 hours.
Our next stop was Yad Vashem. Yad Vashem is Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Israel’s largest Holocaust memorial is set on the slopes of the Mount of Remembrance on the edge of Jerusalem. The new Yad Vashem Museum opened in 2005 and its nine chilling galleries of interactive historical displays present the Holocaust using a range of multimedia including photographs, films, documents, letters, works of art, and personal items found in the camps and ghettos. Yad Vashem is a place which is not fun to visit, but is definitely somewhere that all visitors to Israel should experience.
We went to the Damascus Gate on the north side of the Old City of Jerusalem and got off the bus to take pictures of the Gate and then walked a long block up the street to the Garden Tomb. We had good lecturer from the Garden Tomb Society, visited the Garden Tomb, had our site devotional and the Lord’s supper.
We were stopping early today so the group could go back to the hotel and get ready for the 7:15pm transfer to the airport for the return trip home. Our farewell dinner is at 5:30pm at the Dan Panorama.
Great Pilgrimage. Wonderful group. Many many experiences and outstanding educational experience.
Clay Corvin
NOVEMBER 2019 ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE -PEF/NOBTS. (1)
REASONS FOR A CHRISTIAN TO GO TO ISRAEL
Christians in the millions have traveled Israel since the early church times. Their faith was encouraged and their biblical knowledge grew in a way that it can only do on site in the Holy Land-the Land of Jesus.
We are at the beginning of our November 2019 Israel Pilgrimage. Dr. Jim Parker is leading the Bible studies and several of us will be doing devotionals each day and at many archaeological sites and national parks. It will be 10 days of non-stop activity, moving about the Land of Israel and of course for me the worst part is the flight to Israel (about 14 hours elapsed flying time and often 10 or so hours waiting for connections. The flight home to me isn’t nearly as difficult as the flight to Israel. But that’s me.
1. ISRAEL WILL CHANGE YOU FOREVER
My first trip to Israel was in early 1983. I traveled with a two Assembly of God pastors. I have never been the same. Over the years since, I have heard many Christians tell me that their trip to Israel also changed their life. It was a cataclysmic change for me. I found myself thinking about Israel all the time. As I read my Bible everything I read would affect me.
On the way home from this trip the Lord in His own way told me that He wanted me to take Seminary students, faculty, staff and friends to Israel. It changed me. It redirected some of the focus of my life and I have done everything I could to accomplish this task. Israel will change you forever.
2. Your Bible will come alive. I had always been active in reading my Bible. I was faithful in daily readings and in directed study before going to Israel. In Israel, I began to study the Bible as a history book—an extremely accurate one backed by archeological finds. I read the Bible not just for spiritual meaning, but tracing the stories on maps and visiting the archeological remains of many of the cities. The Bible became so real that it literally stood up and took on a third dimension as an accurate, historical account from which we learn many spiritual lessons.
3. You will encounter God in a new way. God is not limited to any one location and therefore, we can pray from anywhere in the world and experience His presence in our lives. But taking a spiritual pilgrimage away from everyday life to seek the Lord with new fervor does much for who we are and how we think. It is a time of extreme mental and physical challenge that literally builds up viewable tapes in our mind that come to fruition over the next years when we return home. A trip to Israel is the perfect place to seek the Lord and seek to know Him better. Walking where Jesus walked, hearing His words as you read your Bible, seeing the illustrations from everyday life that He used, and seeing him in a new environment-the actual place where all that we read happened often leads to special encounters and even healings that stay with the traveler when they return home.
4. There will be an encounter with the real Jesus. As much as we like to think that we read the Bible as it is intended, most of us are highly influenced by our surroundings and understand the Bible in our own cultural context. That is why for centuries, European art depicted Jesus with a fair complexion, blond hair and blue eyes. Studying the life and words of Jesus in Israel puts him in the correct cultural and religious context. He was the Jewish Messiah who said of Himself that He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. His parables, teachings and lifestyle cannot be fully understood without the Hebraic context in which He ministered.
5. You will experience prophecy fulfilled. In Israel we are surrounded by prophecy fulfilled and the faithfulness of God to His Word. We see that the Jewish people have been gathered from the North, the South, the East and the West; from every nation to which they had been dispersed; first by ship and then by planes; and assisted by the Gentiles; all just as the Bible foretold. God is fulfilling His promises made to the Jewish people, which means Christians can also trust Him. He is a faithful God and His Word is true!
6. You will see a modern miracle. The birth and existence of Israel is nothing short of a modern miracle. Out of the ashes of the Holocaust and the dust of the desert, in just over 65 years, they have created a thriving and prosperous country that is leading the world in innovation, technology, science, medicine, security, agriculture, and water conservation and production. This little country of some 8 million people is making the world a safer and better place. What a miracle!
7.Prayer becomes real. You are praying to the Lord God and following Him and His Son Jesus. Whatever story you’ve read or whatever place in Israel you thought about you can literally go there and pray. Yes our Father and Jesus hear our prayers here at home but they also hear them in situ in Israel where that event you are thinking of happened.
After visiting Israel, understanding the security situation, sensing the spiritual tension and getting to know the people and God’s promises to them, one will be able to intercede for the peace of Jerusalem with greater effectiveness and experience the privilege of partnering with God in prayer for the people of Israel, and the region. Your prayer horizons will be broadened.
I’m sitting in a room in Henry Hall in New Orleans. Our adventure begins in the morning when we drive to the new New Orleans airport and catch out plane to Israel.
Com go with us. I will send stories, poems written on the journey and many many pictures over the next two weeks. Please note if you are on my list and receive this and all of this is too much just let me know. All of my daily reports and many pictures will be at http://www.virtualtravels.com and some will wind up at http://www.claycorvin.com. Feel free to check them both out. Because of limited wifi I may not get the sites updated until I get back home in December 2019.
Clay Corvin
11/17/19
Henry Hall, New Orleans, LA
NOVEMBER 2019 ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE -PEF/NOBTS. (2)
Monday -on the air to Tel Aviv
I’m looking at the tracking map as we depart JFK. Interesting. Our route goes right across France.
We were late getting off because the plane was too heavy and had to have wind or a longer runway. We took off from their longest runway. A little unnerving but we made it and are crossing the eastern tip of Mass.
The journey to Israel is challenging more and more as I age. This trip includes my finicky sciatic nerve problem and a great deal of hope and prayer for our travelers.
Six of our Bethel Community folks who are also Providence Learning students and Leavell College certificate students will be on this trip. I cannot overstate how wonderful this is. We have a chance to totally change a community that was defined by poverty and drugs and will be redefined by Jesus and they will walk where he walked. I think this is our third Group of Bethel members and that will make a total of 15 that have been. They are leaders in our community and will be able to speak and teach in our Church the Bible, Biblical history and now a first hand account of so many places in the Biblical text.
Praise the Lord.
It Happened
The world has an interesting take on spiritual things
The finite lost think they can define the infinite One-Jesus
Everyday evil twists the truth
These worldly wise ones extoll evils virtues
They claim no sin
They say they know right
The sham of untruth is so sad
They believe their lie
They worship themselves
Only Jesus brings the truth
Everything else is foolish
Only Jesus saves
The world is a highway to hell
We are called to account
There will be a reckoning
Jesus saves when we believe
His grace and mercy proclaims
Follow Him and live Like Him
Being His hands and feet
Proclaiming His life
Jesus sets us free
He fills us with God’s wisdom
Jesus is Lord and there is no other
CC
11/18/19
A Few Thoughts on the Air
Peace is a radical thought these days. All around is war. Abuse. Evil rampant. Murder. Desperate millions living in squalid conditions. And we few wealthy stand by while starvation decimated our fellow man.
This brings to mind my friends Don and Karyn Wilton. Their daughter, Shelly (they lived next door to us when she was born) has been in South Sudan for 18 months. They haven’t seen Her in a year. They are with us on the plane going to spend two weeks with Shelly driving from Tel Aviv where they will meet down to Aqaba and then into Jordan. I remember her as such a precious young lady and now I suspect that she is still a precious young lady who is a warrior for God. The deprivation she has endured to help on the entrance to hell is unimaginable. Remember Shelly and pray for her.
We are flying over Zagreb and Sarajevo. What a heartache place. Shortly over Thessaloniki and then the western coast of Turkey. I don’t remember this flight path before.
PRAYING
All the days of our lives are heavy upon us
O Lord how can we stand?
We began before time began, before we were we were with You
Help us Lord, encourage us, feed us with Your wisdom
That our path might be straight, our lives some degree of joy
Peace, we seek peace, yet there is no peace in this life
Jesus walk with me, Jesus help me, Lord I feel like I’m drowning
But I know You are with me, I belong to you
Pain and anguish track my existence, to the point of overwhelming me
Your love holds me, Your love enables me to keep moving forward
Today is a new day, more pain, more of all those things I hate
Yet You use me to help, I am your hands, your feet, your Words
Jesus saves me, He saves me unto eternity
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it
The Lord is my Shepherd, I will always belong to Him
Jesus will never leave me, though the mountains quake and the sea roar
Jesus loves me!
Clay Corvin
NOVEMBER 2019 ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE -PEF/NOBTS. (3)
Tuesday
Wow losing 8 hours from New Orleans to now really changes the day. I am so excited as I see Israel approaching on the map. I love to watch the tracking map as we travel the 5,000 or so miles to Tel Aviv.
Today is mostly flying, getting our van at the airport and driving to Neve ILan, C-Hotel, checking in, having dinner and crashing. We will have two days before the group arrives and will spend our time in Jerusalem and picking up our friend from Venice, Dr. Diana Cugola, who is instead of being our guide will be with us on our pilgrimage. Diana is our guide in Venice and has been our friend for many years. She will get to see Israel and get to know our friend and guide in Israel, Gilla.
Neve ILan is next door to Abu Ghosh which is where the ark stayed until David came and got it, it’s on the road to Emmaus or is Emmaus. I love staying at this working man’s hotel. The rooms are basic but very clean and the food is hearty and good. Years ago just a few of us came to explore the south and we stayed here for a week before we moved on. I remember in my minds eye how wonderful the trip, how good the food and how relaxing getting in late and sitting out by their patio was. In my mind it was probably much better than it may have been but great nonetheless.
I’m reading in Ezekiel today. O my it’s very hard hitting and convicting. I know that when the Bible speaks of our sin it raps me too often. I try not to be selfish and self-centered and desperately want to make the world a better place but daily certainly fall far short of what I should. But as I age I find that the Bible becomes more and more mostly what I’m reading. Yes leaders are readers and it doesn’t get any better than the Word of God.We are nearing Israeli airspace. The government requires that 30 minutes from Tel Aviv everyone must remain seated.
It has been really good visiting with The Wilton’s on this journey. Praying for their two weeks with Shelly and her safe return to the US in January. She is an amazing young lady.
I’m praying for each one of you. It is a privilege to share these adventures with you even if some of my writing isn’t very adventurous.
When we land we will walk to immigration and once we get our visa and clearance we will pick up our luggage and drive to Neve ILan about 30 minutes from the airport.
The next couple of hours will be very hectic.
This morning I’m reading Mark. I find I most often turn there to keep a perspective of Jesus’ ministry. Mk 7 calls the religious to account: why do you honor me with your lips and dishonor me with your heart. Father help me not to be a hypocrite.
We landed, walked thru immigration, got our visa, picked up luggage, took an hour to get our car (yikes-like buying a house) and Jeremy drove to Neve Ilan, C Hotel where we will spend three nights and pickup our group on Friday morning. Tuesday night we all slept like a baby-wake up every hour for a few moments and then go back to sleep.
NOVEMBER 2019 ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE -PEF/NOBTS. #4
Wednesday – Neve Ilan
It was at times a bit of a restless night with the 8 hour time change. But all of us did okay. We were up nlt 6am and breakfast. We left the hotel in Neve Ilan and drove to Jerusalem. We parked in the Mamilla Mall garage and walked in thru the Jaffa Gate and around to Shaban’s. Then across the Old City of Jerusalem by the Holy Sepulcher, the meat market, up the Cardo to the Jewish Quarter and a short visit with Moshe and Dov at the Shorashim Shop.
We met Gilla, and Phil and Deb Jeansonne for lunch at the Quarter Cafe overlooking the Mt. of Olives. They have great food and a wonderful view.
We walked around the Old City of Jerusalem and about 2:30pm went back to the car and drove back to Neve Ilan. Quiet, relaxing day.
NO LIMIT – Psalm 119:82
We seek comfort from the Father
Lord when will the pain subside?
How quickly will this test end?
Straining with eyes to see what the future holds
When will my comfort come?
I want to be with you Lord, but not today
Rather I would see my situation mended, amended
My hope rests in you, waiting and fainting no fun
Teaching lesson upon lesson, Lord when will I grow up?
When Lord will you comfort me?
You collect my tears in a bottle, You have heard my weeping, You stand with me
Otherwise I would have fallen away, the pain unbearable
Straining my eyes to see Your solution, I maintain my hope
Pride destroyed, peace maintained, my life for You
My resolve, my peace, rests in my hope in you Jesus, You are my hope
Your promises encourage and indeed give strength
Your Word nourishes me, it is the sword that fights my fight
As I kneel and pray, Your presence lifts me, helps me
Reminds me of how many promises speak to me
Jesus is Lord, I stand, He is my Lord, I smile, My Savior lives in me
No limit on God, we sign on for the duration
Eternity comes quickly, every life soon fails
Face to face we stand, before our loving Father
Jesus at His right hand, bringing us near
We stand before the Holy One, our life done, real life begins
CC 11/20/19
FLORENCE – SIENA – PISA – ROME AND ENVIRONS
SEPTEMBER 16-30, 2019
SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
ON THE ROAD (actually air) AGAIN – TO FLORENCE AND ROME, ITALY
We left the house this morning at 5:45am. Carol and I had gotten up, showered, loaded the car including the Beaux and all of his stuff and headed to the Birmingham Airport, 79 miles away. Can you believe there is a lot of traffic on the I-59 at this time?
I am so grateful to Carol for doing this. She is having a 2nd back procedure done on Wednesday, September 18. It is a balloon cement procedure that will stabilize her L4/L5 discs and facilitate her acute compression fracture in the L5 disc to heal. She is in real pain until the operation but still packed up and rode with me to the airport, dropped me off and drove through the morning traffic to her sister’s house in Hueytown. We have been married for 51 years and 2 days and she has done the impossible all of these years. I hated to leave her but everything was set on the trip so I left her in the good hands of her sister, Joan, and her niece, Marybeth, who is an outstanding nurse.
It’s a long day to Rome. I had a layover of about 7 hours in Atlanta. Corey and Blanca Phillips arrived about 3:30pm in Atlanta and it didn’t take long for us to get on the plane and begin our 9 1/2 hour flight to Rome. We are 2 1/2 hours into that flight now.
We will be in Florence from 9/16 to our morning departure for Rome on 9/23. We will return from Rome on Monday, 9/30.
We will tour Florence for two full days. I love that city. It is just beautiful. Easy to walk. The river most of the time flows gently through the town. Every street has a story. Some important and some not. I love the Duomo and the area where it is. We will spend an extra day exploring Florence on our own. In addition we will scour the countryside and visit Pisa, Lucca, Siena and several mountain top towns in Tuscany. We don’t drink so we will miss the wine but we do eat and the food is marvelous.
I’m setting up for our October 2020 Rome Tour and for anyone that wishes I can set them up to tour Florence on their on or with a guide and also some time in Tuscany. I can recommend the things they would enjoy the most especially the food. One great thing is that you walk so much you don’t gain weight!
Next stop will be Rome where we will stay at the Hotel Lancelot. This little hotel is amazing. I’ve been staying here every trip to Rome over the last 20 years and the owners and staff have become good friends, indeed much like family. We love staying there and it will be our home base on the October 2020 Rome tour. We will teach all the folks how to use the bus system, subways, taxis and Uber. Carla Zaia, our guide is exceptionally good at art and art history and we will immerse ourselves in the key museums, Vatican, Forum, and amazing churches. All of this in preparation for our October 2020 tour.
While we are in Rome we take our dinners at the Lancelot. Pharis the son of Mrs. Khan and now with his sister an owner in the hotel prepares gourmet meals each night. After a 20,000 step day it is delightful to sit at table and dine on one of Pharis’ superb meals. It is always a highlight.
Well you have the outline of what we will be up to over the next two weeks. I sure wish you were with us but for sure plan to come with us October 17-24, 2020.
On the Atlantic off the cost of Halifax, about 200 miles north west of our position winging our way to Rome. I love to follow the flight tracker. I also need to take a nap. More tomorrow after our first day touring from the airport to Florence via Orvieto where we will have our first pizza and our 3rd or 4th espresso.
I’ve attached a poem written earlier in the day. I’ve read Romans today and felt compelled to write about sin.
ONLY FOOLING OURSELF
We think highly of ourselves
Hiding our views from God
Denying the horror of our sin
Arguing “I’m just like him or her”
“I’m not as bad as them”
Thinking this will make it okay with our Father?
We think He is weak when it comes to us
Just do a few good things and the sin will go away
Help each one of us see Father
The evil we carry
Buried deep in our heart, impossible to root out
Revealed in the blink of an eye
If our interest is blocked
Our sin burden overwhelms us
It is unbearable and drives us to drink and drug
And many other unmentionable activities that we call play
We sin at every chance, thumbing our nose at God
The worst is when the sin stain is fresh
We look at God and cry
“It wasn’t me
I’m never like that at all”
O dear soul-stop your whining
Do not sin
Run to Jesus
There is forgiveness and restoration with Him
Only Jesus can solve our sin problem
He will give us a new heart
Christ will guide our feet so that we walk in His ways
And He will remember our sin “no more”
Clay Corvin
September 16, 2019
Atlanta – Waiting on the plane to Rome, Italy
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
FLORENCE
IT was a crazy, hectic day today. The airport in Rome is so full of people. No signs. Just go. Amazingly the luggage was there when we got there to pick it up off the carousel. Walked out and there was Giuseppe waiting on us.
The ride from Rome to Orvieto was about 1 1/2 hours. We talked about Lazio-the Latin Province of Rome, Umbria that is still very rural and rugged and then of course Tuscany. Rome (Lazio) is the Province of the Umbrella Pine (Stone Pine) and when you cross the line from Umbria into Tuscany you are immediately impressed by the Italian Cypress trees of Tuscany.
Our apartment is on Via dell’Agnolo 73. Loud, main thoroughfare just near Santa Croce. No air but the price was right. It does have an elevator and we are on the 4th floor. Thank the Lord. We have a supermarket just around the corner and a pharmacy nearby. Tomorrow we will walk the city and visit at least 2 of the major museums in Florence-the Uffizi Galleries and Academia.
September 18-Wednesday
Gosh It seems as though we’ve been here a long time and it’s not even 24 hours yet. The weather will be hot today but looks like a cooling trend beginning tomorrow. We will meet Giuseppe in about an hour and begin an in depth tour of Florence. We had a great time with Giuseppe yesterday driving from the airport via Orvieto and Michelangelo Square to our apartment.
Very loud from the traffic but seems bearable especially when I think of location, size, very large apartment with two very large bedrooms.
I am grateful for this journey. I’m thinking that these journeys are nearing a conclusion for me but my prayer is that in some small way I’m creating a world attitude at NOBTS. It is so critical for our folks to have a world view. Israel, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Egypt are so valuable for each one of our students to see.
Carol’s procedure is today. I’m praying for her right now. She can’t drive for a week and will be with her sister in Hueytown. Thank goodness for Joan, Jim and Marybeth. They are a blessing for us. Hopefully they will come with us on the October 17-24, 2020 Rome trip.
Florence is a beautiful city. About 400,000 population (53% female) vs. Rome’s population of about 2.8 million. There is a certain beauty of Florence that seems to express itself all over the city from the Villas to the apartment buildings. Lovely. Just lovely.
Our touring today involved an historical tour of Florence identifying the various parts of the city center and when they were built. Most of the central city is built over Roman Ruins including many buildings that once were 200-300 feet towers but then later required to be lowered to not exceed 90 feet. The best indication of the buildings age relates to whether it is built totally of stone, stone with plaster, and several other indicators including the type of windows whether the building is mathematical or built for beauty. I must confess the the description of what was 1100’s, 1300’s, 1500’s and 1800’s escapes me now. A lot of information. What is memorable is that over the centuries the buildings added stuff on the outside, changed the windows and often were more spread out to a larger building. One I’m thinking of was the Medici/Riccardi Palace built in the Renaissance and later expanded by the Riccardis.
Additionally, we toured the Uffizi Gallery. 1,586 paintings. We looked at the key painters from the Medieval to thru the Renaissance and NeoClassical period. This is the Medici family collection and is stunning for its depth and breadth of artists. Giotto is certainly one of my favorites but then quickly so many others are superb. They do have the Byzantine painters which have no depth but were used by the church from about 300-1100 or 1200 to tell the Biblical stories to an illiterate population.
We walked all of the inner city. We began at the coffee shop next to Santa Croce and and in a big circle, crisscrossing the inner city made our way to and thru the multitude of churches, villas, palaces, courtyards and other important structures including government buildings in Pizza Repubblica. 14,000 steps. It would have been 20plus thousand in Rome!
I took too many pictures and will put a few together for you.
Personal:
Every trip I take it seems there is a myriad of aches and pains to deal with. This trip is no exception. I must say that the journey to where ever is so demanding and it takes me a day or two to get over the trip coming. This trip is no different. I was exhausted last night. During the night I got several calls that woke me up but it wasn’t a problem as I went immediately back to sleep. This morning not thinking when I got up, Google popped up with a preparation of all of the previous days pictures and they suggested people to send the link to and I did waking several folks at 2 central and 3 eastern am. Sorry. One must always be thinking.
I am increasingly careful when I walk. Lots of stones are loose and uneven and if you aren’t careful you wind up on the ground. I’ve had two different trainers at the UofAlabama SRC. They have worked hard on me developing my balance and core strength. It has worked. I feel a lot more confident in doing 14,000 and more steps in a day. My knee at times is acting up and my shoulder is still anti-happy but other than that so far I’m fine.
I love doing these trips. It brings the biographies, Bible, and other books that we have read over our lifetime to life. Especially the Bible. It is so interesting to see the hand of God working in a people group even when the leadership of the church and society are evil. It truly is the Lord’s world and it encourages me to know that He is coming back. It would be hard for me to imagine living life without the activity of the Lord in my heart and path each day. I would be in great trouble without the Lord. Thank you Lord!
They just took Carol back for her procedure. I will let you know when I hear.
Clay
Thursday – September 19, 2019
Rainy, overcast day but we leave the apartment at 8:15 am with San Gimignano in our eyes. Paola navigated the city to pick up the two folks from Michigan going with us and we were on our way on the Roman Road-Via Cassia out of Florence.
San Gimignano is a small hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. It has retained its medieval style and all buildings have to retain basically the style they originally had. The town originally had 72 towers and currently has 14. Driving up a dirt back-road into town with a stop at a scenic look up it appeared like a mini New York City. What a skyline. I remember in March of 2008 Carol and I came here in the snow (it never snows in the Elsa Valley) and the entire skyline was pure white with snow. Even without the snow it is magnificent.
San Gimignano is beloved because of its skyline of medieval towers. Though a unique sight today, pointy skylines were the norm in Tuscany in the Middle Ages, when feuding noble families ran the hill towns (think Montagues and Capulets). Each family had its own private army that would periodically battle things out from the protection of its respective family towers. While some were built as a refuge against attackers, others were empty, chimney-like structures built only to boost noble egos.
In the 14th century, San Gimignano, like other hill towns, fell under Florence’s control. The Florentines usually asserted their power over the local nobles by ordering them to lop off their towers. But for whatever reason, some of San Gimignano’s original skyline was allowed to remain intact. Today, 14 of its original 72 towers still stand.
Rick Steves, Italy
We entered San Gimignano on Via San Giovani and made our first stop at the cheese store where we tasted local cheeses. Excellent. Then a little further up the street we went in a Tower House now owned by the Italian group that conserves ancient properties.
We continued up Via San Giovani to the Central Cistern and listened as Paola explained about the region, its activities and the building codes. This city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We visited the Duomo here, the old city hall and had coffee overlooking the festival taking place in several of the piazzas. We walked across the city on Via San Matteo and out the San Matteo gate. We met Paola at the gate and circumnavigated the city to a nearby farm house/winery where we had a marvelous meal without wine. Evidently enough folks come that don’t drink they have a without wine price. The meal was $30. Per person and excellent. Much more than you could possible eat and served outside in the garden. It was exactly what you would think of dining in Italy outside. Great.
Our travel time to Siena across Tuscany was about 40 minutes. Oh my talk about traffic and little streets. Paola drove us through the city. We began at the Basilica of San Domenico which houses several of St. Catherine’s relics: thumb and shrunken head. It was a different time. It is a magnificent Basilica, ancient from the 1200’s and in the 1400’s got its Gothic look of today. It is huge. They had a Polish mass going on there during out visit and it was very nice.
Let me say that for some of you that know me well, yes I did have frequent need of a bathroom but also drank a lot of espresso to use the coffee shop/bar facilities and it would not embarrass you to do the same thing so come ahead with us on the Oct 16 to 24, 2020 Rome tour. Check your options soon because we are already half full.
Ok back to Siena. Paola drove thru narrow, pedestrian filled streets excellently all the way across town to the Duomo. We talked about the contrada as we traveled. There are 17 Contrade, which comprise the Contrada of Siena. The Contrade is a governing unit within the city. They compete each year in July and August with a horse race in the Campo called the Palio. Back to that in a minute.
We arrived shortly at Duomo square to visit the Duomo di Siena. It is one of my favorite medieval churches in Italy. The Duomo di Siena has a Michelangelo Statute, a statute of John the Baptist by Donatello and magnificent mosaic floors and a Carrara marble pulpit sculpted in 1265. The exterior facade is Gothic. The interior is alternating black and white stone.
Our last stop was the Campo. You’ve gotten pictures of the Campo. My favorite in Siena. I’m not sure I’m interested in the horse race (next to last James Bond movie). But I do love the outdoor joy expressed by all the people walking, dining, sitting and just generally having a good time. I’ve eaten at several of the restaurants and have enjoyed them immensely.
We drove back to Florence and arrived at our apartment about 6pm. Whew it was another non-stop day but only 9,000 steps so I had get out and walk 1,500 more.
I know this may seem like a long letter but there was so much more that went on during the day. Paola and Giuseppe are an education in Tuscany. They do an amazing job. We are so grateful for them. I will make sure to put their names, phone numbers, etc. in one of these newsletters.
I’ve been thinking about Psalm 86:5-6 last night in the night watch, in my heart, in my mind and all day today. The Lord is precious, powerful, and praiseworthy. Thank you Lord for listening to me and making complex confusing things simple.
I FIND LIFE CAN BE CONFUSING
I find my life in troubled times to be very confusing
The options we face, the potential disgrace
Can weigh upon our hearts and minds
More than even we realize
It is a deep seated fear that we won’t measure up
That we aren’t what others think we are
Even if they think less of us than we do
In Psalm 86 I found a line the Lord continues to highlight
“Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you O Lord, do I lift up my soul
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love
To all who call upon You.” 86:5-6
I want my soul to be unburdened, gladden my heart O Lord
Help me to be the person you meant me to be
Let me help others more, and care less of what others think
I want an honesty between us Father, short accounts on sin
Long accounts on prayer, spending time with You
Doing more listening than talking-You know who I am
I want to know more about who You are!
I desperately need your presence and council
I get sick without Your abiding, deep, merciful love
I know you hear me, I know you love me
Create in me a clean heart and a resourceful mind
Help me to study, to encourage, to help, to strengthen all I meet
People count Lord, they count with you
I pledge to make everyone I meet count, people count
Clay Corvin
FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
A brand new day. Thank the Lord for breath and life. Spent about 30 minutes earlier reading the WSJ, Peggy Noonan and a couple of articles about Israel. The world really is in a mess. But as I read the Old Testament (I’m in Isaiah right now) and the New Testament the world was in a mess then. In fact without Jesus Christ the world is always in a mess. A friend of mine is very open with his struggles, not with his faith, he is saved-he struggles with faith life. How do I live out what the Bible says I can? That is the struggle. I think that Jesus isn’t talking about whistling in the dark-He is talking about our learning to be on the right side of issues and being courageous. Am I willing to die for what I believe? That to me seems to be the real issue. If I will die for my faith then I should quickly be willing to live my faith. Love the lost, care for the hurting, be misunderstood when offering a helping hand, be spat upon, bend the knee, pray for government leaders even when it is like swallowing milk of magnesia, sit quietly before the Lord, help the helpless, care for the orphan (and I think that includes the innocent being aborted-it doesn’t matter what the world thinks. I want to think the way the Lord thinks. The world is lost and desperately needs help. Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.
As I begin today I am way beyond a travelogue so forgive me and I will get off my soapbox. Thank you for reading these reports with me. I hope they have encouraged you in your future travels. They help me make sense of what I’m doing and I don’t write to remember years from now – I write them so I can remember all we’ve done right now. (The dullest pencil is sharper than the sharpest mind)
PISA
Our touring today will begin in Pisa. But it’s about an hour and 1/2 to get there. Our drive is eventful. Great deal of traffic so Giuseppe takes a backroad that goes by one of his favorite coffee shops-Caffe Scardigli-and it just fit for us to make our first stop coffee. We dodged traffic all the way to Pisa and Giuseppe shared the birth as a Roman community of Pisa and then their development from Roman times until today. Pisa was one of the four maritime republics of Italy and at one time rivaled Venice for Mediterranean power, maintaining control of the Tyrrhenian Sea, ousting the Genoese from Sardinia, conquering Sicily, Carthage in North Africa and Corsica. When they conquered the Saracens in Palermo they took their gold back to Pisa and built the Pisa del Duomo. In 1077 Pope Gregory VII recognized the new “Laws and Customs of the Sea” instituted by the Pisans.
Their history is lengthy and the city of Pisa is a walking city. We walked through the university area, the port, across the city and back, and oh yeah went by the Leaning Tower of Pisa twice as we parked within a block of the complex.
We had lunch at the Vineria di Piazza in Piazza delle Vettovagile. A really good local place, out of the way, we were the only tourists there. Giuseppe says that generally folks come to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo and leave with very few visiting the ancient city. We ran into no crowds after the Leaning Tower. We also got to see them setting up for and Italian TV Soap Opera shoot. Interesting.
We also went to the Arno and walked back through the central city to the car and packed up and headed to the ancient Roman city of Lucca. There is so much interesting information about the fighting between Piza and everyone else and except for a few months early on they never conquered Lucca. The people of Piza are kind and friendly and Giuseppe greeted many friends as we walked the city.
Lucca is a grand medieval town surrounded by a wall that circles the city in 2 miles. The top of the wall is wide enough to drive two cars abreast. In the afternoon we saw folks riding bikes and walking the wall. Giuseppe says it is their park.
We visited the four important Piazzas in Lucca: 1/Amphitheater Piazza where the buildings are built into what was originally the Roman Amphitheater. Several locations as you walk around the back of the Piazza still have the original marble.
2/Piazza San Michele where the Romanesque church is located 3/Piazza Napoleone which is the center of the city’s political activities and 4/St. Martin Cathedral which is the seat of power of the Archbishop of Lucca. Construction was begun in 1063. It is in a secluded section of the old city center of Lucca.
I know that I’ve simplified both of our cities today. Pisa was once a significant ruler not the world scene. They controlled vast wealth. Likewise Lucca was a longtime power in Italy and stood their ground as an independent republic until the unification of Italy in the 1800’s.
Riding with Giuseppe is delightful. He has information about beautiful villas that we went to see going to Pisa and coming back from Pisa. On the way into Florence we went thru his hometown of Campi Bisenzio.
We talked about the industry of each city. I was surprise to find out the Lucca is the cigar maker for Italy.
We have spent a lot of time talking about the Medici family and their control of this entire area including Pisa when they came to power. I think their family had 4 popes: Pope Leo X (1513-1521), Pope Clement VII (1523-1534), Pope Leo XI (April 1605 -one month) and Pope Pius IV (1559-1565). That’s a lot of popes at a time of great difficulty for the Catholic Church.
Psalm 64:10. The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in Him. And those who do what is right will praise Him.
SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
MEDICI VILLAS NORTH OF FLORENCE AND A VISIT TO MUGELLO AND ITS CAPITAL SCARPERIA
A workman like day, visiting two of the thirty Medici villas in Tuscany. These two were just north of Florence about five miles.
Our first stop was for coffee at another of Giuseppe’s favorite coffee shops-Caffe Neri which is near our first visit- Medici Villa Castello which is in the hills to the north overlooking Florence. They have extensive Italian gardens which are geometrical and beautifully laid out. We left there and proceeded up the hill to visit the Medici Villa della Petraia.
It is an impressive country residence built on a panoramic terrace in the outskirts of Florence and just up the hill from Villa Castello. From here you have an incredible view of Florence.
We now drove from the hills above Florence into the Apennines on the road to Bologna but only as far as Scarperia, the chief city of the Mugello Province.
https://www.mugello-info.com/images/mugello.gif
Scarperia is a beautiful city which was once a key fortress protecting the pass through the Apennines for the City of Florence. They have been a knife making center since its early years and was important to Florentines for its mountain beauty and nearness to the city (about 20 miles.)
We had lunch at Ristorante Rustico at the entrance to the fortress area, recently city hall of Scarperia. The city is medieval and has some excellent edifices. I liked the central church across from the fortress and the monastery next door.
So much beauty in the mountains and when we were coming back to the city we stopped at an overlook and was totally stunned by the beauty of Florence in the valley ahead of us. A wonderfully uncontested ride thru the foothills of the Apennines and of course the outstanding Medici Villas.
We will finish in Florence tomorrow and take the train to Rome on Monday checking in at the Lancelot Hotel about 1pm. I plan to relax on Monday for sure and take it easy on Tuesday, visiting the central
SUNDAY – RAINY DAY – SEPTEMBER 22, 2019
We are walking from the Santa Croce area across the Arno River to the Pitti Palace today.
Our devotional this Sunday morning was in Isaiah. 41:4, 8-10
Who has done such mighty deeds,summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the Lord, the First and the Last. I alone am He.”
8 “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, 9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. 10. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
FEAR- I would have to say that in our modern society, fear more than anything else characterizes the spirit of the age. People are afraid for their jobs, for their children, for their homes, for their activities, for the future-name it and people are scared about it. Again and again I’ve heard people say “ well I’m just going to do this since I don’t have long to live anyway.” Isaiah presents a loving and committed Lord who is reaching out into the future, currently where Isaiah is and across the centuries to us saying to us that when we bind ourselves to Him, He binds himself to us. In the Abrahamic Covenant, God promises myriad children to Abraham, In Christ He promises to us that we will become His children.
PERSONAL-God is personal. He is here. He is with us. We have value and worth because we belong to Him. Our lives have meaning in Jesus Christ. They have meaning in the things that the Lord calls each one of us to do. His work, His praise, His presence. All of this is of value because it comes from a Victorious Lord. Our victory is not in what we WILL do it is in what God HAS done in Jesus Christ. We belong to Him. Yes I know He is speaking about Israel here in Isaiah, but He is speaking of us in Christ. We belong to the Lord.
ENCOURAGED- We are but a breath, yet the Lord is thinking of me. We are here and gone in the blink of and eye yet the Lord is concerned about my life and what I will do with it. Service to our fellow man is our calling. To be the right arm of the victorious Lord is our calling. To be fearless is our calling. Jesus is Lord-we don’t make HIm Lord-the victorious Lord has called us to Himself and we are usable and useful in His battle plan.
Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Praise the Lord.
PITTI PALACE- It was about 3,750 steps from our apartment. The rain threatened every step of the way and at times would sputter a bit but we stayed dry.
The Palazzo Pitti, in English the Pitti Palace, is a very large Renaissance Palace located on the south bank of the Arno River, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio.
The Palace originally belonged to a Florentine Banker, Luca Pitti, that fell on hard times and then bought by the Medici family in 1549. Both wings were added onto the Palace by the Medici’s. They amassed a very large number of paintings from all over Europe, jewels, porcelain, carpets, massive amounts of furniture, they collected everything and when they died out they left everything to Florence if they would make it a museum. They did. We went through the painting gallery and were simply overwhelmed. They have paintings from every corner of Europe during their time and it is just overwhelming. I loved the Uffizi and have been through it several times. It’s organized and chronological but the Pitti Palace’s art collection is just massive. The Palace is 32,000 square meters. That’s big. There was so much we couldn’t get to but I did love what we saw and towards the end our guide, Laura, asked one of the Palace guides if we could join him on his tour through the Gand Ducal kitchen? He said sure. This area had been renovated and wasn’t open to the public yet but we got to to see it.
Lunch was at the Baccalunch on Via del Leone. They make every dish with salted Cod fish and the meal was excellent. Very good!
The rain came hard during out lunch time but quieted down by the time we finished.
We began our journey towards our side of the Arno and made several stops on the way.
Our first stop was the beautiful Cappella Brancacci, a small chapel within the Santa Maria del Carmine Church. It is considered a miracle that the Brancacci and Corsini Chapels survived the intense fire that destroyed everything else in less than 4 hours. The Church belongs to the Carmelite order. Inside the chapel are two layers of frescoes commissioned in 1424 by Felice Brancacci, a wealthy Florentine merchant and statesman. The frescoes illustrate the life of St. Peter, who can be identified by his orange gown.
The frescoes were designed by Masolino da Panicale, who began painting them with his pupil Masaccio. In 1428 Masaccio took over from Masolino and, unfortunately, died later that same year, aged only 27! The remaining parts were completed by Filippino Lippi only much later in the 1480s.
The frescoes have an intense radiance, making it possible to see very clearly the shifts in emphasis between Masolino’s work and that of Masaccio (contrast the serenity of Masolino’s Temptation of Adam and Eve with the excruciating agony of Masaccio’s Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise).
Our second stop was to see the lost crucifix that Michelangelo crafted when he was only 17. He was a guest at the convent of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito where he could make anatomical studies of the corpses coming from the convent hospital. In exchange he is said to have sculpted the wooden crucifix for their high altar but it was lost not long after that and was considered to be a part of Michelangelo’s work that maybe was just a fiction. No one had ever seen it although Michelangelo had notes on it. The wood sculpture possibly finished in 1492l re-emerged in 1962; in 2001 new investigations appeared to confirm the attribution to Michelangelo.
Well the day has gone by very fast. The rain was returning so we caught a cab in front of the Pitti Palace and went back across the Arno to the Basilica Santa Croce. This is the richest medieval church in Florence, which features frescoes by Giotto, a chapel by Brunelleschi and one of the finest of all early Renaissance tombs. Over 200 important people from Italy are buried in the church, in the floor and it is a massive edifice.
We completed our day of touring and walked the three blocks back to our apartment. Time to pack, sleep and head to Roma!!!!!
Praying for you today. Carol says she is doing better. Praying for her.
Remember our October 16-24, 2020 Rome Pilgrimage.
Thank you
Clay
MONDAY – 9/24/19
TRAIN RIDE TO ROME
Traveling by train in Italy is quite an experience. They only give the track number after the train arrives. Then you do a dance of getting to your car and seat. Everyone getting off is coming into the station. We were going to the train. Next to us was a local train that was also letting folks get off and go to the Station. Lots of all with luggage jamming the walk. Ah the joys of travel.
Our friend Paola picked us up at the apartment and carried us to the central station. Santa Marie Novella. The last time we were in Florence we stayed at a hotel recommended by Rick Steves and it was about 200 steps from SMN. Our apartment this trip was all the way across town. It only took us 10 minutes to get to the station.
Once on the train you have to put your luggage up. Then relax for the 1 1/2 hour trip to Rome.
There is always a lot going on when you travel from one city to the next.
We loved our time in Florence but tended to burn the candle at both ends. In other words we are worn out.
We got to the Lancelot and checked in and went directly to lunch at Naumachia one of our favorite restaurants. I went back to the Lancelot after lunch and took a nap. I woke up about 3pm and read and relaxed. Great day. Dinner at 7:30pm here at the Lancelot report to follow.
I did walk down to the Colosseum and take some pictures. That was the extent of my touring on Monday. I was energized by the little rest Monday.
Our evening meal at the Lancelot was really excellent. Faris does an outstanding job with the food at the Lancelot and half-board includes breakfast and dinner. The meals at night are so good and the days so demanding that it is a real blessing to be able to walk downstairs at 7:30 pm and have a great meal.
Lots of little things to do in the evening and I did all of them. Very restful night.
Isaiah 43:24b-25. The Lord comments that we have burdened him with our sins-(plural) and wearied him with our iniquities (immoral or grossly unfair behavior) saying in effect that we have sinned upon sin-we choose to sin, and then incorporate that sinful behavior into a lifestyle. That is a hardened sinner it seems to me. Truthfully before Jesus that was certainly what each one of us were-dead in our trespasses and sin.
BUT
The Lord goes on to say that he is the one who blots out our transgressions for His own sake AND he would remember our sins no more. Remember this is Isaiah. For all of those that point at the Old Testament and say as some are saying today that it is irrelevant the OT was the only Bible that Jesus had. The New Testament is the story of the God of the OT coming alive into our world, suffering as we do and yet without sin, and going to the Cross paying the price for my, for your cleansing-giving us a new heart and breaking the chains of sin that have bound us. When we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sin He is faithful and just to forgive and give us new life. The Lord will not remember our sins anymore. We are now in His family. THE FAMILY OF GOD.
◦ TUESDAY – 9/24/19
◦ Beautiful morning. We left directly after breakfast. Today we would visit Central Rome. We walked up to Via Labicana across from San Clemente and caught the 87 bus to Campo di Fiore.
◦ Campo di Fiore is a rectangular square south of Piazza Navona in Rome. The translation literally means “field of flowers.” It is the oldest market in Rome. Since 1869 the square is filled each day except Sunday with fruit, vegetable, meat, poultry and fresh fish stalls. The market is a true feast for the eyes.
◦ Several hundred steps north is Piazza Navona.
◦ Piazza Navona is a square in Rome built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian built in the 1st century AD. Bernini was the architect who built the Piazza. The Piazza was commissioned by Innocent X (1644-1655). Bernini built the Piazza in Baroque Roman Architecture. In the center is the Four Rivers Fountain (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi-1651) which is topped by the obelisk of Domitian brought in pieces from the Circus of Maxentius. The Piazza has two other fountains, at the southern end is the Fontana del Moro with a basin and four Tritons sculpted by Giacomo della Porta (1575) to which in 1673 Bernini added a statue of a Moor wrestling with a dolphin. At the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune (1574) also created by Porta and the statute of Neptune was added in 1878 to create a balance with La Fontana del Moro.
◦ When you see all the restaurants and artists in Piazza Navona you will see why it is so enjoyed. It is a delightful place to visit in Rome. One of my favorite piazzas.
◦ We stopped in at the French Cathedral just east across from Piazza Navona.
◦ The Church of St. Louis of the French at Piazza di S. Luigi de’ Francesi. This is a Roman Catholic Church built in 1518 and dedicated to St. Louis IX, King of France. This is a Baroque art in style and is famous for housing 3 Caravaggio masterpieces: Martyrdom of St. Matthew, the Calling of St. Matthew and St. Matthew and the Angel.
◦ This is a well appointed church that lauds all things French. The paintings by Caravaggio are in the Contarelli Chapel of the Church.
◦ We are headed to the Pantheon but we have to stop at Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffe. They have an amazing cappuccino that one of our party imbibed but I was waiting for my stop after the Pantheon.
◦ The Pantheon is a former Roman Temple that is today a church. It was completed by the Emperor Hadrian and dedicated about 126 AD. The Pantheon’s dome is still 2,000 years later the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. It was dedicated as a Christian Church in the 7th Century to St. Mary and the Martyrs.
◦ A quick stop for coffee at Tazza D’Oro. I love the taste of their espresso. Superb.
◦ At this point we have walked about 6,500 steps.
◦ We angled north and east from the Pantheon and walked across town to Via Corso and then 8 blocks up Via Corso to Piazza del Popolo-THE PEOPLE’S SQUARE. The Piazza is within the northern gate in the Aurelian Walls and was once the Porta Flaminia of Ancient Rome. It is the starting point for Via Flaminia the most important route to the north. Before the age of railroads it was the travelers first view of Rome. It was also a place for public executions and the last took place in 1826. We went there to see the 2 Caravaggio’s (Crucifixion of St. Peter and Conversion on the way to Damascus) in the titular church-Santa Maria del Popolo which is a minor basilica in Rome run by the Augustinian order. There are also works bu Raphael, Bernini, Alharemi, Pinturicchio, Bregno and Bramante. That by itself would make this a significant museum. I will slip back by there today.
◦ Lunch was our focus next and we walked towards the Piazza di Spagna. We discovered Osteria Margutta, around since 1965, on a side street (Via Margutta.). It is in the Margutta which is an arts district of Rome from the 60’s and housed many thespians over the centuries.
◦ Piazza di Spagna- Spanish Steps were just a few blocks south of our lunch stop. The Spanish Steps are on the Plaza de Espana. The staircase was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XII during the 1725 Jubilee. It was built to connect the Bourbon Spanish Embassy to the Church of Trinity dei Monti. Additionally it was an attempt to urbanize the Pincian hill and connect the city with the church. It has 135 steps. It is a location that almost everyone who comes to Rome visits.
◦ We have one more stop to this exhausting day-Fontana di Trevi-Trevi Fountain-which is about 10 blocks south of the Spanish Steps. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The legend is that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain you will always return again to Rome. As a result of that legend they recover many thousands of coins from the fountain.
◦ Corey and Blanca went looking for a new church plant we want to connect with on our October 16, 2020 Rome trip. Hopefully we will be able to do some church work for a half-day while in Rome. I walked over to the Via Corso and caught the 85 bus back to the San Clemente stop near our hotel.
◦ Carla Zaia, our guide in Rome came by for dinner in the evening at the Lancelot. They served an amazing Sardinian Lasagna ( a creation of Faris’) and pork medallions with a very light cheese cake and raspberry sauce for desert. They substituted a sautéed white fish for the pork medallions for me. Another superb meal. A long day that included 13,000 steps. Whew.
◦ Blessings on your day.
WEDNESDAY – 9/25/19
We had a very lazy start today. I went up to San Giovanni in Laterno and the Sacred Steps. It’s about 2,000 steps from the Lancelot.
St John Lateran: The Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran– also known as the Papal Archbasilica of Saint John in Lateran, Saint John Lateran, or the Lateran Basilica – is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome in the city of Rome and serves as the seat of the Roman Pontiff. Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. UNESCO World Heritage Site
Historic Centre of Rome, and highest ranking of the four papal major basilicas, holding the unique title of “archbasilica”. It is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica of the Western world. The archbasilica is sited in the City of Rome. It is outside Vatican City, which is approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to its northwest, although the archbasilica and its adjoining edifices have extraterritorial status from Italy as one of the properties of the Holy See, pursuant to the Lateran Treaty of 1929.
The Lateran Church is huge and extremely well decorated-Statutes, mosaics, murals. It is important to the Catholic World and important to see as the oldest public church facility in the world.
Scala Sancta
The Scala Sancta: Holy Stairs, are a set of 28 white marble steps that are Roman Catholic relics located in an edifice on extraterritorial property of the Holy See in Rome, Italy and is connected to the Archbasilica of Saint John in Laterano. Replica stairs flank the original staircase, which may only be climbed on one’s knees. The chapel at the top of the stairs used to be the private chapel of the Pope. According to Roman Catholic tradition, the Holy Stairs are the steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ stepped on his way to trial during his Passion. The Stairs reputedly were brought to Rome by Saint Helena in the fourth century. For centuries, the Scala Sancta has attracted Christian pilgrims who wish to honour the Passion of Jesus Christ. Since the early 1700s, the Holy Stairs have been encased in wood for protection, but have been briefly exposed in 2019 following restoration work. These are the stairs that Martin Luther climbed and with “the just shall live by faith” ringing in his ears left the stairs and established Lutheranism. (That’s the short version.)
Borghese Museum was our next stop and we took a cab to get there since it is all the way across town. Marvelous museum with important paintings and statutes. Always enjoy going thru.
I’m in need of slowing down today so I’ve headed back to the hotel.
Clay.
WORN OUT AND THINKING!
Simple Musings
Isaiah 45:19 I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel [*] to seek me if I could not be found.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Again for those that deny the Old Testament here we have another of hundreds of passages that were first expressed in the Old Testament and then further expressed in the New Testament.
All of us have the same access to the Father. It is in Jesus Christ. It’s not the works we do that give us access-it is a relationship with Christ and faith that Jesus has done what he said he would do-save us.
The Father wants us to find (connect with) him and he willingly comes to us in faith.
Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.
The truth is the day to day relationship is all about our dealing with ourself and not pointing a finger at others. The biggest stumbling block in my life is me.
Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and love thy brother/sister as thyself. Simple. Little children get it. We need to get it better.
The Lord has brought many friends into my life that have modeled this for me.
Lord thank you for precious friends and friendships.
Clay
THURSDAY – 9/26/19
Villa d’Este in Tivoli and Hadrian’s Villa in Villa Adriana
You know the story – The days are long and the years are short! Today seemed long when it started but it sure ended quickly.
We took the subway Line A from Manzonia (about 8 blocks from our hotel) all the way to the end at Battistini to meet Carla. She picked us up at the exit of the subway and she drove us on the Ring Road around the city to where we turned off to Tivoli. Villa Adriana (the small town where Hadrian’s Villa is located) is the first stop on the road to Tivoli.
Hadrian’s Villa is a large Roman archaeological complex that is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hadrian constructed this as his retreat from Rome but in actuality when he wasn’t traveling generally stayed here. It is a huge complex and is one of the most visited archaeological site in Italy. The site is about 200 acres (nearly 9million SBF.). Rome is about 20 miles away. Toward the end of his life Hadrian made this his official residence. After Hadrian’s death the villa was occasionally used by his various successors. In the 4th century the villa fell into disuse and most of the marble and statutes were taken away. Some of the statutes and much of the marble wound up at Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este Villa up the hill in Tivoli.
TIVOLI is a town and commune in Lazio, central Italy, about 20 miles east-northeast of Rome. It is located where the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills. The town was established in 338 BC and covers about 27 square miles. It’s population is about 57,000. In Etruscan times Tibur, a Sabine city was the seat of the Tiburtine Sibyl, a tenth sibyl added to the nine Greek sibyls. Tivoli’s quarries produce travertine, a white calcium carbonate rock used in building most Roman monuments. The water power of the falls supplies some of the electricity that lights Rome. The slopes of the hills are covered with olive trees, vineyards and gardens. Paper is their most important industry.
Villa d’Este is located in the center of the town of Tivoli. It is a 16th Century Villa famous for its terraced hillside Italian Renaissance garden and its stunning water fountains including a water organ. It has 51 fountains, 250 gushes of water, 60 pools of water, 265 waterfalls and 100 water tanks. It’s a garden that one must see. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Villa was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, the Duke of Ferrara and grandson of Pope Alexander VI. In 1549 he was appointed as the Governor of Tivoli and with this authority was able to use the materials from Hadrian’s Villa to build his own Villa. The history of this Villa is very interesting.
This was an all day trip that occupied our attention. We were thankful for the 78 degree weather. It was a beautiful day.
Carla drove us straight to the Lancelot in the heart of Rome. She had an easy time getting into the city and a difficult time getting out.
We had dinner on the terrace of the Lancelot. As usual Faris had put together another superb, outstanding meal. One of the folks at our table said the dessert was the best he has had on their two week trip across the Mediterranean.
THINKING!
Simple Musings
Isaiah 45:19 I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel [*] to seek me if I could not be found.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Again for those that deny the Old Testament here we have another of hundreds of passages that were first expressed in the Old Testament and then further expressed in the New Testament.
All of us have the same access to the Father. It is in Jesus Christ. It’s not the works we do that give us access-it is a relationship with Christ and faith that Jesus has done what he said he would do-save us.
The Father wants us to find (connect with) him and he willingly comes to us in faith.
Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.
The truth is the day to day relationship is all about our dealing with ourself and not pointing a finger at others. The biggest stumbling block in my life is me.
Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and love thy brother/sister as thyself. Simple. Little children get it. We need to get it better.
The Lord has brought many friends into my life that have modeled this for me.
Lord thank you for precious friends and friendships.
Help me to get it! Help me to model it! Help me Lord.
Clay
Carol’s pain has returned and she said she was in the serious pain cycle again. Please pray for her. She goes to the doctor on Tuesday next and I will go with her. We hope to figure out a way to deal with the pain. Lord heal her.
FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 27, 2019
“WHAT THE BARBARIANS DIDN’T STEAL THE BARBERINI’S DID!”
The Barberini family were originally a family of minor nobility from the Tuscan town of Barberino Val d’Elsa, who made their money as wool and textile merchants. Their influence peaked with the election of Cardinal Maffeo Barberini to the papal throne in 1623, as Pope Urban VIII. The Barberini are to Rome, what the Medici are to Florence.
I was by Piazza Barberini yesterday and had been thinking about this and we talked about it today as we began our touring in and around modern Rome.
We caught the subway (metro) at Manzoni and met Carla at EUR-Magliana metro stop. EUR is a residential and business district in Rome, Italy, located south of the city centre. The area was originally chosen in the 1930s as the site for the 1942 World’s Fair which Mussolini planned to open to celebrate twenty years of Fascism the letters EUR standing for Esposizione Universale Roma. The project was originally called E42 after the year in which the exhibition was planned to be held. EUR was also designed to direct the expansion of the city towards the south-west and the sea, and to be a new city centre for Rome. The planned exhibition never took place due to World War II and the area has continued to develop as an upscale, wealthy part of the city of Rome. We traversed this area identifying the buildings, and lakes and pools built for the 1960 Olympics. Carla pointed out some especially beautiful apartment buildings and some businesses. It is a luxury area and very beautiful.
One particular building we took pictures of was the Square Colosseum, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known simply as the Colosseo Quadrato (Square Colosseum), is a building in the EUR district in Rome. The building was designed in 1937 to host the Mostra della Civiltà Romana during the 1942 World Fair by Italian architects Giovanni Guerrini, Ernesto Bruno La Padula and Mario Romano. The building is an example of Italian Rationalism and of Fascist Architecture. Stunning building. Difficult past that has taken a long time for the people of Rome to accept.
Okay. That ends our modern day portion of the tour and now back in history we go.
We went by The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. It is one of Rome’s four ancient, papal, basilicas along with the basilicas of Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter’s and Saint Mary Major. Basilica of Saint Paul was founded on the burial ground of St. Paul and is near where St. Paul was martyred in 67 AD. Christians first built a shrine here and then in 324 AD built a small church which was later demolished in 386 AD and a larger beautiful basilica was completed in 395 AD.
We drove around to the Three Fountains not far from Saint Paul’s Basilica. The Three Fountains is where St. Paul was martyred. (Latin: St. Paul at Aqua Salviae). The Church of Saint Paul at the Three Fountains was one of Rome’s earliest churches. It is the site of the beheading of St. Paul. Tradition tells us that because Paul was a Roman Citizen He was beheaded instead of crucified. The story passed down was that his head bounced three times on the ground, and at each spot a spring appeared. There are three churches here and to me it was a bit confusing because the three fountains are in the center church and the other two churches have other responsibilities. Charlemagne in 800 AD gave the medieval church and the site to the Cistercians and they have operated the abbey and the three churches since then. There is a great deal of detail related to this site. I found it to be a very special site for prayer and contemplation. If this isn’t the exact site for Paul’s beheading, like the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, the event is nearby. I love this location and the three churches. They request that everyone be quiet which further enhances the ambiance of the site. It is special. I would encourage you to make sure you visit here when you come to Rome.
We drove from The Three Fountains Church to Cemetery A
Cimitero Acattolico: Rome’s non-Catholic cemetery is a quiet refuge set beyond a busy intersection. Between the imposing pyramid of Cestius and the striking gravestones surrounded by greenery, it is a cemetery you are likely to want to spend a lot of time in. The most famous graves belong to the English writers Keats and Shelley. The grounds are maintained immaculately and it is a very shaded and comfortable place to sit and think and watch the traffic enter Rome by the Pyramid.
We were near where we would have lunch on the Via Monte Testaccio at the Flavio Al Velavevodetto. This restaurant is located on the slopes of Monte di Testaccio in Rome, a hill made of ancient terra-cotta shards that were discarded when items were shipped to the warehouses then in this area and the packaging, terra-cotta, was discarded. Monte Testaccio is a hill made from discarded Roman pottery from the time of the Roman Empire (27 BC to 476 AD). (Roman Kingdom 753 BC to 509 BC and Roman Republic 509 BC to 27 BC).
We finished lunch and walked the area past some of the ancient warehouses that have become very Bohemian residences (some dumps!). The area is shaded and abuts the Cemetery A.
Carla drove us up the Janiculum Hill (not one of the seven hills of Rome) to Piazza Garibaldi. There is an equestrian Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was a key Italian general in the uniting of Italy in 1861 under Victor Emmanuel II, of the House of Savoy, a realm that included Piedmont. There is a wonderful view of the central city of Rome from here and of course General Garibaldi’s horse is turned with its rear to the Vatican.
Carla drove us down the hill to Piazza del Popolo where we would go to the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo. It said on-line that it was open on Friday from 7:30am to 7pm. It was closed. It was about 3pm. We walked around from Piazza del Popolo to Flaminia Marta stop and caught a very crowded subway car down to the Manzoni stop and walked up out of the station. It was sunshiny hot and Blanca suggested we catch the bus. We caught the #3 trolley instead and rode it to San Clemente where we got off, walked up the hill to the Lancelot and I proceeded to my room, 66, and took a one hour nap.
Dinner was at 7:30pm. We ate in the courtyard again and it was perfect. Faris had prepared another spectacular meal including an ice cream w/fruit salad and some type of jam. I didn’t have dessert, just a little fruit.
The day is done. it’s 10:25pm. Off to bed shortly. Two more days of exploring and planning and we return home. It will be like a dream. A very quick dream.
Many blessings.
Carol said she is feeling a little better today but we will have to see how all of this works out, if this current procedure dealt with her pain long term and what we may have to do next?
Clay
From Rome
BECAUSE OF ME
I caused His death, Jesus died for me
My hard headed, evil ways, caused the Lord to plan the Cross
It was the only way He could deal with my sin
The way of the Cross, burdened Him
He knew my pain, deep and wide
He knew my stubborn discontent, He felt it before I was born
He knew my need in my mother’s womb at 16
There was nothing unknown about me
Although in my mind I seemed so wise and decisive
I was only impudent, blind and stupid
A committed sinner willing to do anything to please myself
Jesus died for me, He did it with premeditation
Living a life of purity
Learning to bend His knee in service
The King of Glory shouldered my burden of sin
He carried it for 33 years
Imagine my pain when I’m inconvenienced 3 minutes
Jesus died for me, He did it with determination
He worked with His family until he was 30
They didn’t know who He was
Our king was simply their brother
His life a joy, He rejoiced in obeying His Father
Then for 3 years He labored with 12 and one of them a devil
His time came and He went to the Cross
Cruelly beaten and bloodied
Beaten to the edge of His life
He needed help to carry His cross
He spoke no words as He suffered
He quietly spoke
Forgive them for they know not what they do
Jesus died for me
Three days and by the Power of God He rose from the grave
He shared His love with me
He offered His life to me
I said yes, please Lord Help me, I am poor and needy
He forgave my sin
He gave me life, He saved me from my sin and broke the chains that bound me
Jesus lives for me, Seated at the right hand of the Father
Jesus lives in me, The Holy Spirit empowering me to live
Now I live my life in Christ, Jesus saves me
Clay Corvin, Rome, Italy
September 27, 2019
SATURDAY -9/28/19
Cool morning. Possibility of rain (It didn’t rain). Rick Steve’s folks are here for breakfast late, I think this is their free day. When I finished breakfast I went outside to the front courtyard and sat and listened to the sounds of Rome.
We walked down to the Circus Maximus on the UN-FAO Building and met Carla. Today we would go to Castel Gandolfo (Pope’s summer residence) and visit the Gardens of the Castel Gandolfo and then visit the Pope’s private areas in the Palace recently opened by Pope Francis. So that is the key focus for our day which of course will include and nice restaurant for lunch and a couple of other small towns in the area.
We drove south down the Ancient Appian Way. It was a wonder of its time when it was built in 312 BC. It was the Roman Super Highway. It eventually stretched from Rome to Brindisi (about 400 miles) from where Roman ships sailed to Greece and Egypt. We Passed two major Christian catacombs (underground cemeteries)from ancient times: San Callisto, and San Sebastiano. There are others. We turned west before the Appian Way park began.
We continued on our way to Castel Gandolfo passing by Ciampino Airport, Rome’s other airport and continued across country up into the hills about 15 miles south of Rome.
Castel Gandolfo is a beautiful village overlooking Lake Albano, and is the location of the Pope’s summer residence. The Vatican Museum controls all of the visits to Castel Gandolfo. The little town of Castel Gandolfo is clustered around the Papal Palace and the extraordinary Barberini Gardens. This area is a cluster of several historic small towns and is dominated by majestic and beautiful Villas. It is a refreshing experience and while we rode with Carla driving, it is easy to reach this little island of tranquility by train from Rome.
The Barberini Garden tour takes an hour. It is excellent. The Gardens are beautiful. After the Garden tour we went and had a coffee (of course) and then went back and toured the Palace. It’s all about the popes since Maffeo Barberini (Urban VIII : 1623-1644). It was interesting up to a point but I enjoyed it.
We had lunch at Ristorante Bucci, sitting on the edge of the lake with a superb view from our terrace table. The food was excellent. We had pasta and I had a salad and egg plant. After the meal we walked around and eventually had another coffee.
Carla wanted to show us the little town of Nemi, another of the small towns in the Alban Hills south of Rome. It overlooks Lake Nemi, a volcanic crater lake. The town’s name derives from Holy Wood. In ancient times there was no town here, but this was the site of one of the most famous Roman cults and temples. The Temple of Diana Nemorensis. This small town is on the ridge above the small volcanic crater lake. It is very picturesque.
We got back to the Lancelot Hotel about 4:45pm. Another great day in Italy.
Tomorrow we will do various things criss-crossing the city and visit with Carla for lunch. We have had a really great time putting stuff together for next October. I think I’m going to add on one of our free days a bus that will take us to Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls, Three Fountains and the Catacombs (maybe San Domitilla). That will be a really good touring day.
Thank you for going with us on our Pilgrimage. When we touch and see our early Christian history it equips us to stand the world’s attacks against Christianity. We grow. We develop a better understanding of where we come from.
Thank you
HOW TO PRAY FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS. COL 1:3-12
◦ BE THANKFUL FOR THEIR LIFE. 1:3
◦ ASK GOD TO HELP THEM KNOW HIS WILL 1:9
◦ ASK GOD TO GIVE THEM SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING. 1:10
◦ ASK GOD TO HELP THEM LIVE TO HONOR AND PLEASE HIM. 1:10
◦ ASK GOD TO GIVE THEM MORE KNOWLEDGE OF HIMSELF. 1:10
◦ ASK GOD TO GIVE THEM STRENGTH FOR ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE. 1:11
◦ ASK GOD TO FILL THEM WITH JOY AND THANKFULNESS. 1:11, 12
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU TOUCH BY PRAYING THIS WAY?
SU-3/17/19
We did so much in a half day yesterday including history lessons in the beginning and development of the Venetian Republic. St, Marks Square and pursuant buildings and attachments including the Florian Cafe, the oldest coffee house in Europe. It’s good but you know you are in trouble when the waiters wear Tux’s. We also walked back across Venice to the Rialto Bridge and caught a water taxi back to the train station and then walked around to our hotel, Hotel Hesperia, a wonderful little family hotel. They are friends with our guide Diana.
MO-3/18/19
Today we traverse the Lagoon by boat. That will be picturesque.
On to the adventure.
I’m thinking we can bring a group of hardy souls next year. Maybe 30-40. Use public transportation, etc. we will see.
Numbers 26:51
In summary, the registered troops of all Israel numbered 601,730.
Our wonderful God and Father is an involved Deity, the One true God who delights in the detail of His creation. Amazing stories in the Old Testament that detail the names, number and specific activities of the Lord’s people.
We today if we are saved are the Lord’s people. We are not replacing Israel we are made a part of the Lord’s people. The Father in the Son has brought us who were far away, near. Praise the Lord God Almighty we belong to Him and He knows everything about us.
Before we get too elated let me remind you that His grace and mercy are renewed each day for us and He is pursuing us with His grace and mercy and pursuing the Lost with His grace and mercy.
Our God revels in the details of His creation. He named every star and there are multiplied billions of stars. He know the number of hairs on our head. For some of us there aren’t many left.
Thank you Lord Jesus for providing salvation, what we need and cannot earn in God’s family.
TODAY
Canareggio Canal to Lagoon then across to the Armenian Monastery where the leader united this group of monks with the Catholic Church. Small group of monks. Very nice facility with an amazing library.
7 Armenian monks and 4 Novices
Community 300 years old.
300 monks total. Over 300 years. Most Armenians are members of Armenian Apostolic Church.
3/18/19.
Today
Lord hear me, I am in need of You
I desire your answer
As You bend down to listen
I know you hear me
I know my needs are often selfish
Point me in the right direction
Lord hear me
I need answers to my fears
Direction for my cares
When I’m in trouble I know You listen
Lord hear me
You are my God
I desperately seek to serve You
Underscore my surrender
Help me to listen to you
Venice. Morning TU-3/19/19
Thanks for your prayers. Journeys are always problematical-different beds, different sounds and in Venice the challenges of walking over so many bridges.
I can not describe the beauty of the setting sun over this marvelous island. The joy of riding the boats up and down the canals. It is fun.
I think we’ve made some headway on how to do Venice inexpensively. Diana is a tremendous resource for planning. Blanca is watching and learning. Corey is equally involved in the travel process. They make a great team.
Ps 89:17
You are their glorious strength. It pleases you to make us strong.
I’m reminded again of how intimately involved the Lord is in our daily lives. We are never alone, never at our wits end and never without His comfort.
All of us have faced many challenging days and today is no exception. His promise is that He rejoices to give us His strength. I thank the Lord that He does.
Each one of us is today facing challenges. Seek to permit the Lord to give you His strength.
Wish each one of you were with us. Monday was a very special day.
Oh yes, was cold and rainy but we walked the city and had a great boat ride from the train station around to the Gondola shop. I’ll get the name later and insert in tomorrow’s note.
I love business and to talk with Hellene about her 5th generation family business of building gondolas was great. She is an impressive young lady and Diana is a friend of the family. She was very nice and after his a short said that I was very much like her grandfather. Not sure what she meant but I took it as a compliment. This came from me helping her to focus the camera.
Building a gondola is a challenging business and takes quite some time to complete. They built gondolas for the Savoy family and that gondola is on display at the Doges Palace.
We walked all the way across Venice which isn’t so far but has maybe 100 bridges (it sure seemed like that) to cross!!!!!
We had lunch at Rosa Salva (1879) which is a local, very local bakery and cafeteria. Mostly locals grabbing a quick lunch. It was crowded, loud and great. The food was excellent. We had dessert and coffee at the counter. Just great.
We spent quite some time at the Doges Palace. The history is so different than the rest of Europe up until the Hapsburgs arrive.
I am so grateful to be able to see and hear about this precious city that so entwines with our own personal walk In Christ. Their businesses spread the Gospel even when their work wasn’t. The Lord can use anyone and anything to spread the Gospel.
We’ve made several program changes due to weather. It was wet and cold yesterday but the day ended dry. We ate at Gam Gam again last night. It is really a good restaurant. It’s in the Jewish Ghetto.
Jimmy led us further into Mark as we looked at the words of Jesus. I got to bed last night at 10 and had a great nights sleep.
Let me say again that I know some of you are facing big challenges today. As Dr Price often says when his prayer alerts arrive before 6 am that he has already prayed for my day. I want you to know that I have already prayed for your day and by the time you arise I will have already walked most of your day. The Lord bless you and keep you. Life is precious and you are so precious to Him. One more thing, it is the greatest of joys to travel with two saints of God like Jim Dukes and Jim Parker. They are both wonderful leaders, teachers, churchmen and friends. Also please remember Diana Cugola and her precious family. We had the privilege of having dinner with her family Sunday night. They are outstanding. Her oldest son is in med school, her youngest in junior high and her husband is an engineer. Diana goes the extra mile to connect us with the people of Venice. Today we will visit a foundry which I am looking forward to. .
TUESDAY- 3/19/19-End of the Day
It was the best of times…. the beginning of “Our Town” and you know the rest! Well the truth is as we meet artisan’s and locals the city of Venice becomes much more our town.
Our hotel is owned by two sisters. They run a clean, comfortable and nice little hotel right on the banks of the Cannaregio Canal. This is one of the six districts of Venice and is the northernmost of those six. We are 10 minutes from the train station and really close to everything.
The only real difficulty in Venice is that they have 464 Bridges. Anywhere you walk you have to cross most of them.
The people that live in Venice face a myriad of challenges. For example, they cannot leave garbage in front of their building. The Sea Gulls attack plastic bags and make a mess. Therefore when the garbage person (they have men and women picking up garbage) comes they ring your doorbell and you immediately bring your garbage down. That seems awfully expensive to do it that way but that solved a lot of problems. Everything that is delivered is by an individual in a cart. We even passed a delivery person with his push cart loaded down with Amazon and special delivery stuff.
Beautiful day. Very windy and chilly but it’s perfect for walking.
We are just across the Canal from the Jewish Ghetto.
A few facts as I heard them:
Ghetto (foundry) in Venetian language and the place where the Jews were permitted to live in 1516. They were Free by day but their area was locked at night.
2 groups of Ashkenazi Jews and 1 group of Sephardic Jews in Venice.
They could be Moneylenders, doctors or used cloths sellers and were not permitted to join the guilds in Europe.
Today 250 Jews in Venice and 200 Jews on the Mainland.
One active Synagogue-Sephardic
2nd inactive Synagogue. Canton (corner). 1672
Before war 1,200 Jews.
Today Ghetto has a totally different meaning than originally the foundry area. It is an area of a city where a minority group lives.
We traversed all of the Jewish Ghetto which isn’t large. This is an amazing place. I love this area.
We walked across the Ghetto and out the north side across to Campo di Mori and saw where Diana’s grandmother lived right on the canal. She grew up in this area and shared with us some about her family.
More walking over to Campo De La Madonna D L’ Orto and to the Madonna Church there. This church dates from the 1400’s and is a Gothic Architecture.
It has an apse full of Tintoretto paintings.
- The Last Judgement (1563, right), Tintoretto
- Idolatry of Golden Calf (1563, left), Tintoretto
- Peter’s Vision of the Cross (1550–1553) Left, Tintoretto.
- Above: Cardinal virtues: Justice and Temperance, half-dome of apse: Decollation of St Paul (1550–1553), right side of apse, Tintoretto
- Above: Cardinal virtues: Prudence and Strength, Tintoretto
There are many other important paintings of several important artists but I was just overwhelmed with the Tintoretto’s. Tintoretto is the nickname of Jacobo Robusti.
Whew. That was a great experience. I was just thinking of the unbelievable value of these paintings. Irreplaceable. BTW we have stopped in many churches already to see certain things but so far none have been this important. We will do more. Oh and Tintoretto is buried in this church. His house in Venice was just two doors up from Diana’s grandmother.
Lunch time and we ate at the Library Bistro. It was okay. Different. We had a good time laughing and talking. I know we’ve probably driven Diana daft with all of our talking and questions.
The afternoon stop is the Artistic Foundry Valese. Oh my this is the last foundry in Venice and they have a reputation that reaches far beyond Venice. I could rattle on about this more than you want to read. It was very good. Nice folks.
From the foundry we walked a few steps to the north shore. We could see the Italian Alps, the airport, Murano and the Cemetery Island.
We walked back to the hotel and ended our day around 4pm. I was worn out. I think everyone else could have gone more but I couldn’t.
Jimmy led us thru Mark 4:1-20. Lots of good conversation.
In Romans 8:1 the Lord declares us not guilty. There is no condemnation for those of us IN CHRIST.
In 2Corinthians 5: 21 it says that God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be declared not guilty with God through Christ.
Therefore if we believe in Christ we can be confident in our relationship with the Lord. He is on our side. We are His and He will never leave us.
It’s been another long day. Pray for my friend Cornelius Tilton’s wife as they work hard to bring her thru a stroke she had today. Praying for Both of them.
Pray for our seminary campus and our new president whoever that is. Pray for our trustees at NOBTS and our faculty and staff.
Pray for PEF-Lifesongs Radio and Israel Student Pilgrimages.
Pray for MissionLab, spring break students and then in the summer.
Truthfully there so much we need to pray for.
Pray for a dear friend who will have a valve replacement.
Thank you.
Clay
Wed. 3/20/19. Venice
Relaxed start today. I think we have worn ourselves out and tomorrow we catch the Italo to Rome, and have to leave the hotel a 7:15am. (More about that tomorrow)
Cold today. We left Hotel Hesperia at 10am and walked to Termini and caught the Vaporetto 2 to San George Major.
Facade of Saint George Major, San Giorgio Maggiore on Giudecca island, Venice in the style of a Grecian Temple. Building begun in 1566 by Andrea Palladio, finished in1610 by Scamazzio who designed the facade. Houses two paintings by Tintoretto, “The Harvest of Manna” and “The Last Supper” plus works by Sebastiano Ricci, Carpaccio and Campagna.
Significant facility with an elevator up to the bell tower which we took. 360 views absolutely stunning.
We crossed the Grand Canal by boat to San Marco and walked thru to Rosa Salva for lunch. Along the way we discussed about 20 buildings that Diana shared their history. It’s amazing the info that a great guide has and San Marco and environs has a long, long history.
Lunch at Salva’s was super crowded again. I had a salad with Mozzarella and Brussel sprouts. We all chose the fruit squares for dessert with cafe reg plus Jimmy needed to also check out the coconut macaroon.
We wound our way thru the streets and alleys of Venice. Amazing. How do you ever figure out your way? Diana said follow the signs to the major event and relate where you are to that.
We caught the boat over the Grand Canal to go to Scuola Grande di San Rocco. It has 65 canvases by Tintoretto and the Announciation by Titian. We spent quite some time here just going from picture to picture. San Rocco is a fellowship that provides for the poor and gives the rank and file some level of strength to deal with the government.
The Frari church was just around the corner. It’s amazing how quickly things can change. Diana was helping a senior person and the lady had a fit and fell in it. Later when we left the coffee shop (yes we stopped for gelato -even though it was cold and coffee to warm up-all in one block) Diana again helped the lady and she was very thankful as she couldn’t open the door. She never apologized for being ugly but I’m not sure she knew where she was.
We got to the Frari Church a block later. Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, usually just called the Frari, is a church located in the Campo dei Frari at the heart of the San Polo district of Venice, Italy. One of the most prominent churches in the city, it has the status of a minor basilica. The church is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Venetian Gothic In appearance and built of brick.
The interior is notable for a large number of very grand wall monuments to distinguished Venetians buried in the church, including a number of Doges and the painter Titian. Many of these are important works in the history of Venetian sculpture, and the many paintings include two large and important altarpieces by Titian, the Assumption of the Virgin on the high altar and the Pesaro Madonna. It also contains the only rood screen still in place in Venice.
There is a significant work by Donatello-St John the Baptist. I like the set-up in this church. Just very gentle to me.
We left the church and walked to the nearest boat and crossed the Grand Canal back to our hotel.
Both Carolina and Martina were there and we chatted with them and Diana. We bid Diana good-bye. Had dinner at Casa Bonita and Bible Study In Mark 5-the red letters of Jesus. Jim Parker left for Israel at 5am. He is touring with Tom Harrison. We left for Rome at 7:15am and we are on the Italo cruising at 180km. It is smooth.
3/21/19. Thursday. ROMA
we left the hotel at 7:15am. They had breakfast out so we had some coffee and croissants.
The walk around to Termini took about 15 min and we waited on the Italo train-found it and loaded. There was an initial confusion about seats but it all worked out. At times this train gets up to 200kph. Fast. It’s comfortable and 4 hours to Rome.
Demetria’s associate picked us up at Termini and took us around to the Hotel Lancelot. Calypso, Lubna’s oldest daughter was working the front desk and checked us into our room.
First stop, Naumachia, for pizza. Adam found this place 20 years ago and it has become one of our favorite lunch places.
This was not a pressure day. Jimmy worked. Blanca and Corey explored. I read and took an afternoon nap. It was a superb day in Rome.
Dinner tonight at the Lancelot was a typical outstanding meal. Farris outdoes himself every night. He is a superb chef. This is a very comfortable relaxing hotel just a few blocks up from the Colosseum.
Beautiful night. Off to bed.
3/22/19. FRIDAY. ROMA-ROME
THE weather couldn’t be more beautiful. Just perfect. While Venice was quite chilly and cold at the end of each day ROME has been spectacular.
We started slow today taking a late breakfast and Bible Study continuing in Mark-Teachings of Jesus. Excellent. J. Dukes is superb.
We’ve been working on an Italy trip for students. Travel, especially focused travel, can enhance the educational process. But if it isn’t inexpensive few students can afford it.
I think I’ve got it worked out to do 10 day trip, Venice, Florence and Rome for 1,650 land cost plus air. I will work with Ron Cansler and see if this can work. If you want to do any travel always remember to contact Ron to help you work it out. I can get you his contacts if needed.
OK.
Phil and Melissa arrived mid-morning. We all walked up to Labicana and took the # 3 tram all the way to Trastevere and then back. That was 1 1/2 hours. We saw a lot of Rome including crossing the Tiber. I hadn’t ridden that tram so it helped me to connect the dots on the trams.
I’m using an app called Moovit. Very good on public transportation.
We had a quick lunch at Naumachia and then up to San Giovanni in Laterno.
This is the seat of the Pope. It is the oldest church in Rome, gifted by Constantine in 313ad. Pope’s were crowned there until 1870 and the Pope lives there in the Lateran Palace until the 1,300’s when they moved back from Avignon. Amazing Cathedral.
We meant to visit the Sacred Steps across the street in the Popes private Chapel but it was closed. We will have to get back there.
We are using multiple buses to get places and so far it’s worked perfect. I love Moovit. We took two busses to get to Trevi Fountain. It was cleaned last year and it was beautiful, beautiful! I’ve posted pictures on Facebook.
From Trevi Fountain we caught a bus up the hill to St Mary Major.
St Mary Major is also a Papal Basilica and is the only major Church in Rome that is still in its original form.
We walked up the street to Pasticceria Regoli and met Carla. She had completed her touring for the day and met us for coffee and cakes. Actually profiteroles!
A great time was had by all. So good to see Carla. She will meet us at St Peter’s tomorrow at 4 to take us thru the Basilica.
Caught a bus and headed home. Another excellent day.
Dinner was uniquely superb as only Faris can do.
Oh and Calypso, Faris’ niece and his sister Lubna’s daughter is helping out at the Lancelot on the front desk. She is a licensed mid-wife and is quite in demand.
This place is so nice. If you ever come to Rome you need to stay here. Great!
3/23/19. SATURDAY. ROME
The weather has been spectacular. It is just beautiful. Spoiler -this was a 15,750 step day for me.
We walked from our hotel by the Colosseum and up the hill to St Peter in Chains. This is a titular church built in the fifth century to display the chains that held St Peter in Jerusalem. Also there is a significant statute of Moses by Michelangelo. Beautiful basilica. Long walk up the hill and now back down the hill to have lunch at Naumachia for the third tine this week. Paper thin wood fired oven pizza. Marvelous.
We kicked everything into high gear. We quickly walked over to Labicana and caught #16 bus up to Manzoni and then Line A of the metro to Spagna.
The Spanish Steps are significant. On the right is the Shelley/Keats house and on the same side behind the steps is a great restaurant.
(The Spanish Steps are a set of steps in Rome, Italy, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top.)
They got their name because at one time the Spanish Embassy was located in the Spanish Piazza.
We all looked at the shops for the wealthy on the Via Condotti.
We turned north and walked the four blocks up to the Piazza del Popolo. This was a northern entrance to the city. On the southern side of the Piazza are the twin churches. Across the Piazza where the Via Corso enters from the north thru the impressive walls and gate structure is an unassuming, quiet little church that Bernini did work in and Bramante built the apse. But that’s not the important thing: they have two Caravaggio paintings. In the quiet cove on the right hangs the Conversion of St Paul and on the left the Crucifixion of St Peter. AMAZING. We upset the security guy by coming in the back of the chapel but I smoothed his feathers and had him smiling before we left. “I used my best Italian.”
We exited thru the gates and walked over to the Flaminia Subway stop and rode up to Ottoviano and walked from there the 6 blocks to St Peter’s Basilica. Oh my-easily 500 people ahead of us in the line but we got in the line and forged ahead. Carla arrived just as we were ready to clear the barrier and we all walked in together with the thousands that were there. Carla led us thru St Peters in two hours. That was great. She is phenomenal and we greatly appreciated her.
It’s been a long day. We walked back to the bus terminal and caught the 81 bus back to Claudio/Colosseo and made it back to the Lancelot in time for dinner.
Lots of pictures on my Facebook page. I will also put up pics and these stories on
http://www.virtualtravels.com
3/24/19. SUNDAY. ROME
We left the hotel, after breakfast and Bible Study In Mark, at 10am. We caught the #85 bus planning to get off on The Second stop on Via Corso but that was not to be. There was a foot race and a Global Warming protest/parade. We detoured all the way around, passing the balcony in Piazzia Venezia where Mussolini gave some speeches in Rome, and thought we had it made as they shuttered the entrance to Via Corso so we got off and walked the 8 blocks to Trevi Fountain for one more view of this beautiful fountain.
We cut across town east to west to my favorite coffee shop Tazza D’Oro. It’s in the front of the Pantheon. We had coffee and by-passed the Pantheon to go up the street to the Minerva Church that has the elephant holding and Egyptian obelisk-all done by Bernini.
Inside this Dominican Church is a sculpture by Michelangelo: Christ the Redeemer or Christ Carrying the Cross, a marble statue located to the left of the main altar. Beautiful church.
We walked back a block to the Pantheon. The Pantheon is a former Roman temple, now a church, on the site of an earlier temple built by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus. It was completed by Hadrian and dedicated about 126 AD. It has the world’s largest unreinforced concrete roof with an oculus in the center.
Lunch time and we are near the Enoteca Cul De Sac. Small, very small wonderful Italian restaurant. They make their own pasta and the bread is outstanding.
We had to walk back to the Piazza Navona, an ancient racetrack that is now the location of 20 restaurants, a huge church and three fountains.
Description
(Piazza Navona is a square in Rome, Italy. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in the 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans went there to watch the agones, and hence it was known as “Circus Agonalis”.)
The Fountain of the Four Rivers topped by an Egyptian Obelisk by Bernini is in the center of Piazza Navona. (1.Ganges in India, 2.Nile in Africa, 3.Danube in Europe 4.Rio de la Plata in South America. )
We walked to the Campo di Fiore, the field of flowers long ago, now a flea market then across to the Jewish Ghetto and from there around to catch the 81 bus back to the Lancelot.
Dinner was vegetable lasagna, and I had red rice, and veggies.
Great meal. Outstanding day. We crossed the heart of medieval Rome. Great day.
WALK LIKE A ROMAN!
Proud, fierce and focused
A Roman was most envied
Engineers of renown
Roads built to tame a world
Bridges spanning any obstacle
Order out of chaos
A hard life led by hard men
They were great adapters
You may have discovered it
The Romans made it better
There armies were ferocious
Their buildings majestic
Nothing could stand in their way
Except themselves
Their decadence renowned
Destroyed their strength
One day it fell to the ground
The glory of Rome no more
Hard times less their empire
The northerners ruled Rome
Their empire had no home
This place once known as Rome
Clay Corvin
3/25/19. Monday. Rome
Focus of life. Jesus or self. Mark very clear in Chapt 9 how important people are and how important servanthood is. Important for us to see how we make changes by serving others.
San Clemente is first stop. One of the earliest churches in Rome. Destroyed in the Middle Ages by French troops and rebuilt around 1,300. Down below are the foundations of earlier churches and evidence of worship by Roman gladiators and warriors.
It is a marvelous representation of medieval work and worship in the current church.
The Colosseum was our next objective. We entered onto the floor of this amazing achievement. Overwhelming. Beautiful. Breathtaking. So many things one can say about the Colosseum.
The Roman Colosseum or Coliseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was commisioned in AD 72 by Emperor Vespasian. It was completed by his son, Titus, in 80, with later improvements by Domitian.
It is located just east of the Forum and was built to a practical design, with its 80 arched entrances allowing easy access to 55,000 spectators, who were seated according to rank. Titus looted the Temple in Jerusalem and the gold from the Temple provided a lot of the money to build the Colosseum.
It operates nearly 500 years and was run longer under Christians than the Roman Pagans.
We stopped for lunch. Excellent as always.
After lunch we renewed our assault on Ancient Rome beginning at the Titus Arch, up the Palatine Hill then back down to the Sacred Way and thru the ancient Roman Forum.
I love going thru there. It’s history in 3D.
The Romans had a well developed society that went from brave and hard to weak and debauched. As they ignored the needs of the poor and lower middle class of their community and focused on wealth and acquiring that wealth by any method they began to deteriorate.
The Middle Ages and the influence of the people from the north and the rise of Christianity of a sort were not kind to Italy as indeed it was difficult for all of Europe. We will save that conversation for another time.
Have I told you how good the coffee is in Rome? Amazing coffee.
Another great, great day. The weather continues to bless us.
Who has a God like our God?
His work in Rome was against the hardest of the world. They had money, power and prestige and yet once begun it only took 250 years to spread around the Mediterranean.
What a joy to know the Lord.
Today has great promise as everyday does. We walk by faith now but one day face to face we will see His way.
SIN SPEAKS
Sin speaks
From the depths of our heart
Calling us to do our own thing
Go where you want to go
Think what you want to think
God calls us to discipline
Thief steal no more
Liar tell the truth
Adulterer stop, now
It’s a difficult situation
We find ourselves in
Strength and courage are rewarded
Discipline is heavily criticized
Lord why?
Why do we sin so much?
Satan gets us started
Then we sin on our own
I cry out to the Lord
I am drowning in a sea of sin
The Lord responds
Take my hand-together we will win
Clay Corvin
Walking and thinking in Rome
3/26/19
3/26/19. TUESDAY. ROME
Wet, chilly, rainy day. We toured the city 360 today. Identified some places we want to go to and back to.
Lower step day as we used a bus all morning. We came back to the hotel at 2pm. It was still raining so we took a nap. I had 3 phone calls and finally gave up. I got 30 minutes. But it was superb.
I hope your day is going well. I’m praying for each of you.
Our trip to Italy is to ferret out certain opportunities and to add this destination as an Early Christian History to our travel program. Prayerfully I think we have it.
This is a great, great experience. I’m not nearly as concerned about ever getting the chance to come back as I am concerned to get you here. Life is so quick and we must purposely be about His business. Come to Italy! See for yourself what has shaped your faith. See Who the great artists of the Renaissance were and why that have stirred so many Christians over the centuries.
Come go with us in October 2020. Come to Italy-you will be glad you did.
BE GLAD
You’ve heard your master’s voice
Come follow me
You know He’s speaking to you
It takes your choice
Be glad
The Gospel is His calling
Would that all might come
Many are there to hear from you
You are His choice
Be Glad
Now we know so little
Even the brightest miss out
Jesus came to forgive us
His Word is our concern
Be glad
Today is all we have
Tomorrow never comes
Speak the truth of Jesus
With love and concern
Be glad
Those that hear may spurn you
Some choose to spit
Still they must hear about
The God whose love we need
Be glad
Happy are the children
That do what Christ has done
Caring for others
Sharing God’s Word
Be Glad
One day soon
Today will fly away
You will stand in His presence
Well done He will say
Be glad
Clay Corvin
Rome-Hotel Lancelot
3/27/19. WEDNESDAY. SIENA a city in central Italy’s Tuscany region, was our touring goal today.
we left the hotel and Demetrio picked us up. Carla was with him and would be joining us for the day.
Siena challenged Florence for supremacy and lost. Their city is situated on three hills and is where banking began in Italy. It’s also partly responsible for double entry accounting.
Siena, is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. The fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown. The city’s 17 historic “contrade” (districts) extend outward from the piazza. The Contrade’s use animals and birds to represent their district. Hence the turtle, the wolf, etc.
one must be careful to choose a ridge to cross the city or you will find yourself going down and up serious steep hills.
Our tour starts at the Basilica of St Catherine. They have St Catherine’s head and finger. These relics have been cherished since the Dominican Church installed them in late 1461 AD. St Catherine was there daily when the church was being built in front of her neighborhood in Siena in 1226.
This is an excellent medieval church. They do not permit pictures. Oh well.
We walked all the way across Siena to the Duomo. Siena Cathedral (Italian: Duomo di Siena) is a medieval church in Siena, Italy, dedicated from its earliest days as a Roman Catholic Marian church. Completed in 1348 this most beautiful of medieval churches was planned to be more than twice as large as it is but Siena fell on hard times and their original aggressive plan wasn’t completed.
I must say that this is one of my favorite churches. The exterior and interiors are decorated in white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, black and white being the symbolic colors of Siena. Stunning. Most pleasing to the eyes and quite encouraging.
The 56 etched and inlaid marble panels were designed by 40 of the
leading artists between 1369 and 1547, all from Siena except for Bernardino di Betto, known as Pinturicchio who was Umbrian. Completion of the designs took six centuries, the last ones finished in the 1800s. Today, the mosaic panels in the nave and aisles are usually uncovered although protected from passing feet by barriers, but the most precious ones are under the apse and in the transepts and these are generally protected by special flooring since this is where people sit for mass; these are only uncovered in honor of the Palio and a pair of months during the year, often in September and October.
The oldest designs are those in the center near the entrance – the Wheel of Fortune and the Sienese Wolf Surrounded by Symbols of Allied Cities, which dates back to 1369.
This is a Basilica to linger in. It’s just beautiful.
We turn our steps towards Il Campo where the Palio is held.
The Palio is the most important event in Siena, taking place on July 2 and August 16 every year. In the Palio, the various Sienese “contrade”, or areas in which the city is divided, challenge each other in a passionate horse race in the heart of the city in the Piazza del Campo. Only ten horses and they choose by straw the 10 of 17 Contrade that will compete.
The 17 Contrade which still exist today are: the Eagle, Snail, Wave, Panther, Forest, Tortoise, Owl, Unicorn, Shell, Tower, Ram, Caterpillar, Dragon, Giraffe, Porcupine, She-Wolf and the Goose.
We had lunch at a small place just off Il Campo.
Back to the hotel just in time for dinner.
3/28/19. Thursday. ROME. The word is that what the barbarians didn’t steal in the fall of Rome the Barberini’s did!
Another spectacular day. Part of our group went to the Catacombs. I went to the Colosseum and then the hop on hop off around Rome. I got off at the top of the Via Veneto. Via Vittorio Veneto, is one of the most famous, elegant, and expensive streets of Rome. The street is named after the Battle of Vittorio Veneto (1918), a decisive Italian victory of WW 1. Federico Fellini’s classic film La Dolce Vita (1960) was mostly centered on the Via Veneto area.
The street was built in the 1880s, during a real estate boom subsequent to the annexation of Rome to the new Kingdom of Italy. In the 1950s and 60s, Via Veneto acquired international fame as the centre of la dolce vita (“the sweet life”), when its bars and restaurants attracted Hollywood stars and jet set personalities such as Audrey Hepburn, Anita Ekberg, Anna Magnani, Gary Cooper, Orson Welles, Tennessee Williams, Jean Cocteau and Coco Chanel.[1] The 1960 film La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini immortalized Via Veneto’s hyperactive lifestyle, lights, and crawling stream of honking traffic. Some of Rome’s most renowned cafés and five star hotels, like Café de Paris, Harry’s Bar, Regina Hotel Baglioni, and The Westin Excelsior, Rome, are located in Via Veneto.[2][3] The Embassy of the United States, housed in Palazzo Margherita, is located along the avenue. Also the Hard Rock Cafe.
We did visit Piazza Barberini and the Bee Fountain.
A light day and tomorrow the Vatican.
Let me know if I Can help you plan an Italy trip. ([email protected])
7 Things About the 2nd Coming
- Jesus is coming
- He is coming personally
- Don’t know when coming
- Doesn’t matter when he comes. He’s coming for you in your lifetime
- He will gather his own to him and judge the wicked
- The first coming more important than 2nd Coming
- We know what to do til he comes. Love God, love our neighbor
3/29/19. FRIDAY. ROME
Beautiful day dawns crisp and sunny. We leave the Lancelot at 8AM to make an 8:45AM appointment at the Vatican. We used UBer Black and it worked smoothly.
I have been using public transportation which has worked fine when we didn’t have strict times to meet. Today we used UBER because it’s rush hour and we needed to be across town at a specific time.
The Vatican Museum is huge. Just huge! We did the Garden Tour first which familiarizes is with the Vatican State then we toured the Museum beginning with the Pinacoteca and then thru the museum. So many good artists and a few great artists. We spent all morning there and then a late lunch at Feliziana’s just a few blocks from the Vatican. We called an Uber Black to take the 7 of us to Piazza Navona visiting the 4 Rivers Fountain, the history, the feud between Bernini and Borromini, and the two smaller fountains in the Piazza.
Our next stop just a few steps from the Piazza was the Church of St Louis of the French in which there are 3 of Caravaggio’s paintings: the calling of Saint Matthew, the Life of Saint Matthew and the Martyrdom of Saint Matthew. 3 stupendous paintings by the Baroque Master.
Walk around to St Eustachio’s for their Grand Caffe. Excellent coffee drink. We skipped the gelato here and we were off to the Pantheon.
Carla toured us through this most beautiful of Roman buildings with the largest pores concrete roof in the world and the ocular opening in the center of the roof.
My favorite coffee shop, Tazza D’Oro is just across the Piazza.
My feet feel like lead weights but we’ve got a few more steps to get to Carla’s favorite Gelato near Piazza Colonna. Now we are into forced march because I AM FORCING MY FEET TO GO. We walk across Rome and towards Piazza del Popolo then across to the Spanish Steps. Mostly the steps are there for people to have a place to sit and the steps are filled with people. Next stop is a cab and we found an honest cab driver. He took us straightway to the Lancelot.
Jimmy led us in Bible Study.
Dinner at 7:30. Salmon.
At the end of dinner, we surprised Margaret Davison with a birthday cake/ice cream, lights out as the cake was brought in and we sing happy birthday. Really surprised her. Off to bed. Worn out.
3/30/19. SATURDAY. ROME
We left the Lancelot about 9:15am. We will try to cram a lot into today because Jim, Margaret and Sarah Davison will leave very early Sunday morning. They had a great trip with their church in Greece and they were here in Tome with us for two days – Friday and Saturday. So we are retracing some of our steps today.
So much of early Christian history revolves around the Titular (early church in 4th Century) Churches of Rome so our first stop is San Clemente. It is a medieval church built over a church from the early 400’s built over Clements’s house which was built over buildings dating before the time of Christ and possibly even pagan worship related to the gladiators even earlier.
They don’t permit pictures in the church and we adhered to their edict.
We finished at San Clemente and walked up San Giovanni in Laterno to the Baptistry of the Lateran Church. It was the first baptistry in a church built and put in use in 324 AD. For some time it was the only baptistry in Rome and the Pope who lived at the church baptized all of those who came for immersion baptism.
The Lateran Church was built by Constantin and was the first church built in Rome. Dedicated 324 AD it was used as the Pope’s residence until the 1400’s. Upon their return from Avignon the Pope’s moved over to St Peter’s. The current church was built in the 1100’s replacing the original structure.
We found a great little coffee shop across the street. Coffee, CARLA tried their little sandwiches and Corey had gelato. Excellent coffee. The best Crema of any coffee shop I’ve been in. The coffee of Rome is superb. Also the food is amazing. It is too good. Pasta, fish, veggies, French fries, salads, and desserts are just delectable. Good in other words.
Back to our activities.
We recrossed the street and went thru St John Lateran.
This was the first church in Christendom. Queen Helena had gone to Israel. She was a Christian and Constantine decided to approve Christianity and wanted to build a place of worship for them. He chose to build on the Lateran property (seized by Nero from the Lateran’s for treason) at the southern edge of the city. It was out of sight of the many pagan worshippers who lived in Rome. History or legend says that Constantine had a death bed conversion to Christ.
The Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran, – is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome in the city of Rome and serves as the seat of the Roman Pontiff. It s the oldest and highest ranking of the four papal major basilicas, giving it the unique title of “archbasilica”. Because it is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, it is the oldest and most important basilica of the Western world, and houses the cathedra of the Roman bishop, it has the title of ecumenical mother church of the Catholic faithful. The current facility was completed in 1735 but remember that this church at this location was consecrated in 334AD.
It is stately inside and lends itself to an austerity of presence that I find good. It is a worshipful place.
A husband and wife tied their cute medium to small dog to the traffic railing outside as we were entering. He barked a lot because he didn’t want the owners to leave him outside. Corey, Blanca and several others rubbed his head and played with him and he loved it. I found it funny that others would walk by him barking and shush him as though he understood what they said. Dog shussers!
Our stop after leaving the church was across the street.
The Scala Sancta, or Holy Stairs, are white marble steps encased in wooden ones. According to Catholic Tradition, they form the staircase which once led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem and which, therefore, were sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus Christ during His Passion. The marble stairs are visible through openings in the wooden risers. Their translation from Jerusalem to the Lateran Palace in the 4th century is credited to St. Empress Helena.
Martin Luther was climbing these stairs on his knees and half-way up realized that the just shall live by faith-stood up and left the building. This marked the beginning of the Protestant reformation. Just a note, Baptist were never Protestants. We have always been Baptists.
A quick lunch and we headed across town to St Paul Outside the Walls of Rome.
The Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, commonly known as St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, is one of Rome’s four ancient, papal, major basilicas, along with the basilicas of St. John in the Lateran, St. Peter’s, and St. Mary Major.
At the beginning of the 4th century, with the end of the persecutions and the promulgation of the Edicts of Tolerance in favour of Christianity, Emperor Constantine ordered the excavation of the cella memoriae, the place where Christians venerated the memory of Saint Paul the Apostle, beheaded under Nero around 65-67 A.D. Above his grave, located along the Ostiense Way, about two kilometers outside the Aurelian Walls surrounding Rome, Constantine built a Basilica which was consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324.
On the night of July 15, 1823, a fire destroyed this unique testimony to the Paleo-Christian, Byzantine, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Basilica was reconstructed identically to what it had been before, utilizing all the elements which had survived the fire. In 1840 Pope Gregory XVI consecrated the Altar of the Confession and the Transept.
It is a beautiful building. It’s vast and the repairs from the fire were well done. Statutes, mosaics, paintings, a picture of each pope painted in plaster adorn the building throughout. They have a coffee shop that does excellent coffee.
Our next stop was St Peter’s Basilica. Wow. A long line. A very long line but we got thru the security check in about 45 minutes.
Carla guides us thru this vast, huge, great church. I noted that per the size written on the floor one could get at least 2 and maybe 2 1/2 Hagia Sophia’s inside St Peter’s. Huge! I took another picture of the Pieta. Walked thru as much of the vast building as we could. A lot of it was cordoned off for worship services. Statutes, mosaics, frescoes, gold, etc. filled the church. It is an inviting interior. I love it.
Next stop the Trevi Fountain. Oh my, the traffic but our driver did a really good job of navigating the crowds.
The Trevi Fountain is a fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini and several others. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. In recent times as much as 3,000 Euros per day were found in the Fountain.
Our driver waited for us to take pictures and throw a coin in the Fountain then we continued our trip to the Lancelot. It was a very full day.
Bible study and dinner and off to bed. We lose an hour tonight as we SPRING FORWARD into Daylight Savings time.
HE IS COMING!
Jesus is coming
We hear Him approaching
Prepare the way for our Lord
Jesus is coming, soon
Jesus is coming
Not an emissary
Not an archangel
Not an army
He is coming
We don’t know the year
We don’t know the day
We don’t know the hour
Jesus is coming
He is coming soon
It doesn’t matter when He comes
We are to be ready now
He is coming for you
Jesus is coming, soon
Jesus is coming for His own
We belong to Him
We belong to Him forever
He will gather us close
Judging the wicked
Taking us with Him
Jesus is coming soon
Jesus came to die for our sin
His first coming most important
Now He is coming again
This second time for Us
Jesus is coming soon
We know what to do
Until He returns
Love God, Love one another
Jesus is coming soon
Clay Corvin. 3/31/19. Rome, Italy. Hotel Lancelot
3/31-4/1/19
Sunday-Monday. Rome
Two days. To think. To wander through Central Rome.
We are completing our Italy Pilgrimage and will return home on Tuesday, April 2.
Sunday was an off-day. We had worship first thing and then a casual walk around our neighborhood and lunch with Don & Trisha Richard and Carla. We met them at Naumachia and had a quick meal so they could return to their group. We met before dinner for evening Bible Study, led by Dr Dukes.
Monday was a goodbye Rome day. We took the bus to the Spanish Steps, then visited Trevi Fountain, a local gelato stand, walked across central Rome to the Pantheon and then Piazza Navona. We met Don, Trish and Carla at Cul-du-Sac for lunch.
After lunch we tried to visit the French Church, but it was closed until 3:30pm.
We stopped for an espresso at Tazza D’Oro by the Pantheon and then walked over to Via Corso and caught the 85 bus back to the Hotel Lancelot.
We had our final Bible Study. Dinner at 7:30pm at the Lancelot with Mrs. Khan and Faris. Typically great meal.
Homeward bound. Our pilgrimage was excellent. What a privilege.
Thank you for traveling with us.
Walking Santa Fe at 7,000 feet, Touching the clouds
Seeing feet–cracked boots, sandals, moccasins, slip-ons and on
Trails turned to streets-people wrapped in wool
Early morning isn’t summer here
I like the brown earthen wrapped buildings
Imagining people since 1607 walking with me
Dreams, objectives, and human emotions
Their persistence created what I see
Thousands of feet above sea level, a different world from mine
Looking off the edge of the world
Surrounded by lavender mountains waiting for the sun
I think those thoughts of solitude, I’m a long way from home
A town built of layers, multi-cultural, friendly, inclusive
All brown around me and blue skies above me with angry afternoon clouds
I feel welcomed, encouraged, historic, important
The whispering wind reminds me of the human experience, much harder than mine
A peace in the air, quiet and equipping
I walk and walk, every street down town
The Palace of the Governors here since 1610
“The City Different” personally welcomes me
I cross the Santa Fe Trail, 870 miles from Franklin, MO
When the Comanches controlled southern New Mexico
Supplies and their life blood flowed this highway
Now it’s a beautiful street that covers its worth
Challenges, hardship, harsh winters
All part of the city’s layers-they survived
Now this beautiful town presents itself gently, quietly
I love it, I walk it, I dream about it, yes, it is part of me
Santa Fe such a warm, colorful and friendly place
Thank you for your openness-I will return again some day
Clay Corvin, July 31, 2019
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE 11/13-11/24/18
11/13/18THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
The flight from New Orleans is 2 1/2 hours. It was a bit bumpy but thankfully my system was working such that I only had to get up once. Thank the Lord.
Traveling from New Orleans to get to Israel has its own challenges. Delta to begin with can be quite challenging. New rules. Old ways. Someone is having a bad day and they are determined to share it. A smile goes a long way.
These days every trip has its own pain. It’s amazing how our bodies can come up with new aches and pains. This trip my right knee seems to be the injured party. Yikes. As much of a miracle flying is it’s never joyous in process. I’m glad we forget the difficult quickly.
Tomorrow night we will land at Ben Gurion, get our van and motor over to Jaffa where we will spend the night.
We have 8 hours at JFK. We are at hour 3. Yay.
I’m amazed at how difficult simple disciplines can be. I work hard at maintaining a daily prayer time, Bible Study and a quiet time. I do good for a month then change happens, travel, work and a host of other things that get us out of our routine and it is hard to get back in that marvelous routine.
Growing up I hated routines. When we first began vacationing I always wanted to make sure we didn’t keep a strict routine. Today I value routine. It is encouraging and heart warming. I love routine especially my routine.
This is my first Israel trip since January. I’ve really missed Israel. It does get in your blood. It’s the touching and seeing the Biblical sites and the aha moments that happen on the road. It’s good.
Jaffa has elements of settlement that date back 5,000 years. In 1909 some folks that lived in Jaffa moved out to the sand dunes making the first suburb of Jaffa. Jaffa is heavily populated and overrun with people. It’s tiny streets and dark alleys make it a challenging place to visit. But we will.
I believe that every preacher should visit Israel. The land makes an impact on the reader of the Bible. The compactness of this place the Lord focuses on is so different than western minds think. It is a place where the Holy acted out in human form his salvation work for us. When we were dead in our sin Christ died for us. This is an amazing thing. Praise the Lord who always does good towards us.
Walking the land, seeing Biblical sites, reading your Bible where the event took place all combine to help you see, better hear and serve the Lord. Praying the Lord God becomes an act the is congruent with your experience in the Holy Land.
One day you must come if you haven’t. But for now travel with us in pictures and reports about our day.
Clay
On the Plane-ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE 11/13-11/14/18
THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
Plane trips are never easy especially from the amalgamation of people riding together for 10 hours. The groups going to Israel always seem a bit restless to me. A lot of people walking the aisles and chatting the whole trip. I don’t sleep well on the journey but I noticed that when dinner was through and things were kind of settling down the time said 8 hours to Tel Aviv and I just roused and saw that it was 2 1/2 hours to Tel Aviv. Good rest this trip.
I like to watch the moving map when traveling across the Atlantic. It’s constructive to look at the map detail and see where we have been and where we are going. Carol and I just journeyed through the heart of Europe on the Danube, Main and Rhine. It was a joy. Tonight we flew across London and literally followed the Rhine across to Frankfurt then south across Munich and now across Greece and down toward Tel Aviv. Crossing over Zagreb now. We have flown the northern boundaries of the Roman Empire.
The Romans were great builders and one of their really great things was road building throughout their empire. They meant it for control of their kingdom. The Lord used it to build His Kingdom. Paul traveled the Roman roads sharing the Gospel-Spreading the Word. The Pax Romana was another part of this birth of our faith.
Today we are overwhelmed by hysteria, hate, saber rattling, catastrophes, horrible death dealing diseases and in much of the world a malaise that stagnates hearts and minds. This is not something that surprises the Lord. HE IS ABLE.
I’m confident in Him. Throughout history we see the Lord bursting out when things are the worst. He is at work today all around our world. The joy of the Lord is not dictated by circumstances but is provided to us by His faithfulness. Jesus loves me and you.
I’m reading the Ten Commandments. I am thinking about them this journey and have a couple of observations. First I think that the Ten Commandments were actually written by the hand of God. Not just once but twice. It is a definition of His holiness, and righteousness. He always acts like this. He has written out for us His rules- God’s rights, family rights and Man’s rights. And then in Jesus Christ a Holy God makes provision for sinful mankind to be given perfection by the work of Christ in leading a Holy Life, a Holy Death and a Holy Payment that provides forgiveness for each one of us while we are dead in our trespasses and sin. We are so blessed. Praise the Lord for His blessings and peace.
I am positive about our condition. I’ve watched Melvin Jones for 25 years and he has taught me to minister to the needy and helpless. On this journey we have four men with us that certainly could be described as needy and helpless once upon a time. Today they have been saved by Jesus, built up in the faith and are four of the finest men you would ever want to know. They Jesus and they love people. They have journeyed from helpless to helpers. I’m so proud to know them, to call them brothers in Christ and to spend time with them. Thank you Lord for friends like this. Thank you Lord for Melvin Jones.
Our long time guide in Israel, Gilla will be leading Mel’s group. We are staying at the same places but each day we will have different agendas. There are quite a few sites that we don’t visit with large groups, not enough time, and we will be visiting those. I will recount our daily activities as much as I can.
Think about the Ten Commandments. We are truly blessed to be able to read them and study them and see the way our Father has provided for us His children.
We are 2 hours to Tel Aviv.
About 1,160 miles. Our ground speed is 589 mph.
We got here and maneuvered through the airport. Getting a rental is an ordeal but we got it and are headed for our hotel in Jaffa.
Clay
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE 11/13-11/24
THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
Thursday. 11/15/18
Y’all are asleep. We are on the road from Tel Aviv fo Caesarea. The traffic is like NY City. It took us o
1 hour to get out of Tel Aviv.
Our guesthouse, Beit Immanuel, is a Christian community, old American Colony on Jaffa, was very basic, but clean and comfortable. It was my first time there. Remember basic.
Breakfast was excellent.
Last night we had dinner at Old Man and the Sea right on the Med. We got there weaving thru the tiny streets of Jaffa. Jim and Mel. Both did a good job driving there. The meal was stupendous. When they brought the menu we were already filled with salads. The guys thought the salads were the meal. It was good.
On to Caesarea for our first stop.
The guys started at the Crusader Fortress. We drove down to the Theater to wait for them. Taking Pictures of the Theater. Just a few years before my first Israel trip in 1983, they discovered the Roman Theater at Caesarea. I think Dr Price came for one of his early trips just as they unearthed the Roman Theater.
I’m reading Hebrews 12 this morning- Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
One thing that some day encourages works righteousness. That isn’t what this is saying. Our righteousness IS in Jesus- our call is that when we grow in Christlikeness we will act like this. As I submit my human nature to the hand of God I will so change that I will treat people like Jesus treats them.
Our organized religious groups have a long way to go. Too many churches have become bastions of the smug instead of emergency rooms for the hurting and unruly. Dear Lord deliver us from our starched neck smugness and let us don the work clothes of a servant. Jesus help is to go to the masses- they will know us by our love for one another.
Heb 12:22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.
Heb 12:28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
WORSHIP
We worship you Jesus
You are our righteousness
Peace and faithfulness our way
Confidence and joy our heart
Let us claim the rights of a servant
Ministering our due
Knowing Jesus more each day
I believe Lord
Change is upon me
I believe Lord
Forgiveness my forte
I believe Lord
Loving more each day
Prayer times of righteousness
A heartbeat of hope
Believing You are the way
You are the truth
You are life
I believe Lord
Activities of passion
To show the Godly way
Strength of surrender
Jesus holds sway
Christ is the victor
My life an open book
Discouragement discarded
Help extended to the hurting
Living more for Jesus every day
His victory my life
My faith imparts His strength
His hand upholding me
Prayers for all
No longer rulers
One with Jesus
He is my righteousness
Clay Corvin at Caesarea
11/15/18
In Psalm 72 there is a call to let the poor be treated fairly always. That is a call to each one of us to be mindful of the poor, of their needs and the responsibility we have to care for the poor. It is a personal responsibility, it is a community responsibility and it is a “wealth “ responsibility. I need to recognize poverty and provide for those impoverished.
That’s one of many things that Mel teaches our men and women at Bethel Community. Our people feel a burden for the poor and they da things everyday to help the poor. Thank you Mel for building that teaching in me.
Excellent day. When we left Caesarea we traveled to Mt. Carmel to the location where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal and then over to Sepphoris National Park an ancient Roman City with amazing mosaics. We visited with Metal the site director and saw the additional archaeological dig work.
We made a stop at Tamar Bakfar, dried fruits, nuts, tea, and etc. for a few things to have on the continuation of our pilgrimage. Nice folks.
We are at Beit Bracha Guest House in Migdalia for four nights. Beautiful location overlooking the Sea of Galilee and directly at Mt. Arbel.
Extremely nice weather with a few sprinkles here and there.
Blessings
Clay
FRIDAY. 11/16/18
THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
It’s almost 5pm in the Galilee. Our boat ride on the Sea Of Galilee has been rescheduled for Sunday afternoon at 4pm. That will be a busy day as we will spend much of the day in the Golan. The weather is extremely windy and constant rain. I’m sitting on our balcony observing. A little chilly.
Israel is in the 5th year of a drought and the Sea of Galilee is 5ft. lower than it should be. The rain is welcome relief for the country but makes it difficult to tour. Part of our group has gone to Mt Tabor after the morning at Christian sites around the Sea of Galilee.
We spent the morning at Tel Hazor and Dr Parker guided us through the site.
They are grading the site for walkways, etc. so we had to walk carefully around the site. Hazor is the largest Tel in Israel at 200 plus acres. Only a small part of the site has been dug with much left for future archaeologists.
We also visited the Mt of Beatitudes.
It was lunchtime and we visited our first Aroma Espresso Bar.
We had coffee, Ice Aromas, salad, soup and sandwiches.
Excellent. Especially the coffee.
We were near Kiryat Shmona which we will visit again on Sunday possibly. We really enjoy the drive up from the Galilee. Beautiful countryside and an enjoyable ride back down to Migdal. Dr Parker drove especially carefully as there was a speed trap we had noticed on the trip north.
As I look at the Sea of Galilee where a lot of Jesus’ ministry took place I’m am impressed by how much hurting people were important to Jesus. The stories he includes in the New Testament indicate His concern with hurting and troubled people. He also speaks of how important all people are to Him. My question for myself is how important are hurting people to me? My tendency is to get so overwhelmed in my own chaos that I forget the great needs of those around me. People count with Jesus. My prayer is that people will count with me.
Help me Lord to be useable and useful in your kingdom. Don’t let me get segregated by my own pain or difficulty. Show me how caring for others often brings order and peace to my own chaos.
Psalm 80:19Turn us again to yourself, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
I TRY
What schemes of wit and wise
I use to disguise
The simple fact-I ache and fear
All things near
They Dispute my peace
Lord deliver me from this mire
I still look forward to being an adult
Where things make sense
The future rosy
Life cozy
And problems solve themself
But I do not know the answer
To the question of the day
I think, I pray
Sometimes pain goes away
Mostly desperation is held at bay
As I whistle thru the graveyard
I am saved-this is a fact
I have access to Almighty God
He loves me
He cares about my life
He has a plan He wants me to have
The Lord never hides this
Thank you Father
I receive
Prayer
His Word
Direct me, affect me
Give me wisdom from Him
Christ is with me
He knows me
Better than I know me
I can trust Him
He is my fortress
He is my strength
Jesus is Lord of my soul
Focus brings peace
Answers aren’t as important
As often I think
Jesus solves the world’s chaos
He knows, He acts, He gives peace
I don’t know the future
I do know Jesus
I am eternally His
He says my future is safe
I trust Him
I claim His joy
I surrender Lord
You are the adult
I am your child
Clay Corvin
Joyously overlooking the Sea of Galilee
11/16/18
Tonight we have been invited to the home of Mehtal who is the Sepphoris National Park site director. Her husband is one of the sub-chiefs of police in Nazareth. We are grateful and excited about this opportunity. Dr Parker is amazing. His connections in Israel are something. I am looking forward to the visit and a new friend.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY-MONDAY 11/17-11/19/18
THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
PS 91: 1Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Saturday, We visited two places we don’t normally visit.
In the morning we drove to Bethsaida. This is one of the towns Jesus cursed.
The University of Nebraska of Omaha was the lead on this archaeological dig. They’ve done a great of developing the site. Dr Parker took us thru the site step by step sharing about the discoveries and developing our understanding of the ancient city.
Luke 10:13
“What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.
We also visited Capernaum-the White Synagogue, Peter’s house and the other site activities.
The heavy rain curtailed our activities. We were worn out so it was a good stop!
SUNDAY
Our morning on the Golan. We had a great time with ILan Shulman. He took us off-roading thru the southern part of the Golan and to the border. We visited a new bunker and he discussed the new realities of accommodation in the Middle East. Quite eye opening.
We had lunch at the Cowboy Cafe and then drove across the Golan and down to the Sea of Galilee.
Susita (Hippos) was our next adventure. This is a 26 acre hilltop town. They also commanded a seaside village and a fishing port on the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is 13 miles long and 7 miles across. Susita is on the eastern shore towards the South.
They have excavated Roman and Christian sites in the dig with much of it being Roman era. It’s a bit of a climb to get to the top. We completed our tour about 3pm and we met the Bethel group at the Lido for a 4pm excursion in the replica of a fishing boat from the time of Jesus. It will hold 14 so we filled it up. Excellent time on the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner was at the Aroma in Migdal. Great minestrone soup and small salad with a lot of very cold decaf coffee.
MONDAY
Our time in Israel is over half done. It passes too fast.
Today is our transition to Jerusalem.
Good breakfast conversation with a Wycliffe Bible Translator from Australia. He had worked with a Papua New Guinea tribe in translating the New Testament. It was a real blessing to listen to him.
Last stop in the Galilee for coffee then on the road.
We stopped at Belvoir, a Crusader Fortress overlooking the Jordan Valley. It is formidable and fun to walk thru.
Then the two hour drive down the Jordan Valley to Bethabara-where John was baptizing, where Joshua crosses into the promised land, Elijah translated to heaven, Naaman directed to wash to clean up his leprosy and churches dating to very early 300’s. They’ve done work in one of the graveyards and discovered all of the people had leprosy so this was considered a place of healing and possibly the location of a community of lepers. I love this site. So much happened right here. The Bethel group had a baptism and pastor Mel baptized them.
They headed south to Masada and we headed to Jerusalem. We had business to do this afternoon.
This has been a particularly good spiritual journey for me. I’m really looking forward to our group.
Because of the cost of the trips and our need to fund seminarians for this pilgrimage we are always looking to save money. We began many years ago with 12 day trips. Then a few years ago as the price escalated we went to 10 day trips. Now we are looking at next year doing a 9 day trip. That was primarily what I’m working with. What sites are most important? How do we accomplish a good Biblical review? Please pray with us as we struggle with all of these very real issues.
Blessings
Clay Corvin
FAITH IS CRITICAL
Faith alone comforts me
I hear the Lord
I see I’m free
Now my love
To Him I give
This day I live in Christ
Faith alone is all I have
To do and say my master’s way
I listen and live like Jesus
He cares for people
I care for people
Growing, becoming more like Jesus
Faith alone is the path I walk
I believe, I love, I am
Free, called, anointed
Christ in me, sharing God’s Word
People see how much I care
Before God’s Word penetrates
Now by faith we see
One day soon face to face
No longer bonded by faith
Holding Christ’s hand
Hearing and seeing the Lord
I will know His love by sight
Faith was a friend
Bonding me to Him
Jesus is the Lord of me
Clay Corvin
Kokhav har Yadin
11/19/18
PRAISE THE LORD
I will praise the Lord
With every breath I take
As unto heaven my joy I wake
Praise Almighty God
Praise Him-Praise the Lord
I will praise the Lord with singing
Joy in the morning
Quietly under my breath
His goodness forever
Jesus is my life
Praise the Lord
I will praise the Lord with my life
Looking at others with love
Honoring them as I honor Christ
Everyone is having a hard time
Be their healer, the one God uses
Lord I will praise you
I will praise my Lord
Telling one and all
About a Savior who came from glory
His love for each one
Whoever that might be
Jesus is the Christ
Who sets us free
Lord I will praise you
I will praise the Lord
King of kings
Perfect in every way
He is my strength
He loves me
Life is hard
I will stand before Him one day
Praise the Lord my king
I will praise the Lord
And live my life
Joy in good and bad
The world is imperfection
Jesus perfection
Praise the name of the Lord
I will praise the Lord
In holiness wrapped
Morning, the moment and night
Rings my heart with His Word
O Lord guide my path
Holiness and your Word
Praise the actions of the Lord
Praise ye the Lord
I will praise the Lord
With my offerings
Tithe and total
Everything I am I bring
He is worthy I sing
Praise our Holy God
Jesus is Lord
Jesus is Lord of me
Clay Corvin 11/20/18
On the road to Beersheva
TUESDAY -11/20/18
THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
Early morning departure from the Dan Panorama heading south to Beersheva. Traffic huge. GPS routed us to 6 South. We will have a quick stop at Latrun. Gilla is with Bethel Community in the Old City all day.
So much to see in the Negev. Our first stop is Abraham’s well at Beersheva. The Lord told Abraham that this place of NOWHERE would be the place God blesses him and He did. Next time you wind up nowhere because the Lord told you to go there remember the Lord is your provision and He will bless you.
We watched a herd of about 70-80 camels. They cost about $15,000 each so we were looking at a lot of money. They were moving in the Wadi by Beersheva.
Ben-Gurion’s home in the desert at Sde Boker. The major architect of the modern nation of Israel. A really down to earth man. He said upon resigning that those that wanted to remember him would and those who didn’t want to remember him wouldn’t.
We continued on down into the wilderness of Zin and visited Tel Avdat. Jim guided us thru the site. We saw the wine press, the caravansari, the church from Byzantine era and the immersion baptismal. The view from the top is beautiful.
Our next stop would be Shivta. Another of the Desert Cities along with Tel Avdat. Dr. Tsvika Tsuk led us thru the site. It has three churches, many cisterns, a mosque, and in the Northern Church a picture of Jesus from the 5th-6th century.
It’s been a very long day and we’ve had a good visit to the Negev. Ben Gurion.
We are working hard this trip on how to economize for future groups. We’ve come up with a couple of ideas that will benefit our students. My prayer is that every student that attends NOBTS will visit Israel. It turns black and white pages to color and it lifts the ink off the page of the Bible and makes it come alive.
WEDNESDAY – 11/21/18
THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
Today was a full day in the Old City of Jerusalem. We are moving slow as the desert journey yesterday wore me out so we began about 9am with coffee at Aroma and contemplated our campaign on seeing the Old City. We would walk over much of the city.
We traveled from Aroma to Latin Patriarchate Road and walked it all the way around and after several turns and switchbacks wound up at Shaban’s (Amir) Ali Baba store. We had mint tea and visited with Shaban and Omar.
Next we walked from Christian Quarter Road, to the Damascus Gate and out of the Old City up to the Garden Tomb. We visited with Mohamed and Machmood Ahmed and lined up a place to park on Friday afternoon at the Garden Tomb and spent about 30 minutes in the Garden Tomb praying. I love this place.
We met Gilla and Bethel Group at Nafoura over by the Jaffa Gate for lunch. They have a very good vegetable salad lunch.
We all went our separate ways after lunch. I went to see Moshe and Dov Kempinski at Shorashim in the Jewish Quarter and then down to the Western Wall.
I got back to our hotel room about 4:15 and crashed for about an hour before dinner at 6:30.
About 11,000 steps in the Old City.
Thursday is supposed to be a rain day. I don’t mind the rain so much but the wet stone is slicky slicky.
Clay
THURSDAY -11/22/18
THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
The end of our pilgrimage comes too quickly and yet it’s time. I don’t travel as well as I once did. I love the travel in my mind and body betrays me. Yesterday after 2 – 12,000 step days I was worn OUT. I went to bed last night at 10:15 and slept till 7 this morning. Anyway I’m not complaining just the facts. I always enjoy staying at the Dan Panorama because the rooms are very comfortable.
We didn’t get started until 9am today. Our agenda was light as the last two days have been really active. We went to Haas Promenade on the Hill of Evil Counsel which is the place where Abraham saw Moriah where he was supposed to sacrifice Isaac. The rabbinic writings said that Abraham was so faithful that the Lord didn’t stay Abraham’s hand until the knife was moving towards Isaac’s heart and the Word of God stayed his hand. That’s really something.
Haas Promenade is a beautiful overlook of the city of Jerusalem. The air was clear and we got some great pictures.
The British first locates their headquarters here and now the U.N. occupies this location on the Hill of Evil Counsel.
On the Hill of Evil Counsel is the location of the field of blood that Judas purchased with the 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus.
This location was where Absalom began his rebellion against David. (2 Sam 15-18) and ended his rebellion in the peace forest on the Hill of Evil Counsel stabbed 3 times by Joab. Ahitophel’s final words before he killed himself were “never side against the royal Davidic family and take no part in dissensions.”
So you can see just a few of the historical events that took place here. It is always a stirring event to me to visit the “Hill of Evil Counsel.”
Jim turned down into the Hinnom Valley next as we headed towards the Mount of Olives. We traveled down into the Hinnom Valley, across it and thru Silwan and up the hill. We passed the Pool of Siloam and could look into it as we waited for the one lane road to clear. Then Jim sped up thru the City of David excavations and came out near the Southern Steps of the Old City and then around the Old City and across Wadi Joz and up the side of the Mount of Olives to the Overlook of Jerusalem. Amazing feat of driving as we weaved between busses, cars, trucks and vans with sporadic insertion of people jaywalking and motor scooters suddenly appearing. Jim did a great job. It was crowded but we got there, took pictures and departed. It wasn’t that simple but that is indeed what happened.
We left the Mount of Olives and returned to the Old City, Mount Zion where we left Jim and went into the Jewish Quarter. Jim went around to the Mamilla by Jaffa Gate and parked. He had to visit with Shabon, our money changer and then he met us in the Jewish Quarter for lunch at the Quarter Cafe, one of my favorite places to eat in the Old City.
We visited with Moshe and Dov and then met with Jim for lunch.
End of today. It was about 2:15. Jim and I went back to the hotel. I took a 30 minute and then read and relaxed. Jim worked and left about 5 for a meeting in Tel Aviv with our partners on the Tel Hadid dig at Tel Aviv University. Thankfully I passed on the meeting as it will be late when Jim gets back tonight.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
JERUSALEM NEXT YEAR!
FRIDAY-SATURDAY 11/23-24/18
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE 11/13-11/24
THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY
FRIDAY
Today we had rain in Israel. Also it rained heavily on Friday night. They really need the rain so we were fine with it.
We had an ambitious schedule today. We left the hotel at 8:30am and headed to Bet Shemish-Samson and Delilah Country. As we got there we went immediately to the Aroma then continued our journey to the archaeological site. It is huge and they have discovered much about the period of Samson. The dig was forced by the highway work and as a result many things have been discovered that otherwise wouldn’t have been.
Next was the Elah Valley-David and Goliath-we also looked at and discussed Tel Qeyafa where Saul probably was and watched David slay Goliath.
Our next stop further down the highway was Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park. This is the location of the Bell Caves that were dug by the Romans. They dug the chalk out to use for making plaster. Huge man made caves.
Tel Lachish was our next stop. This huge Tel is located on the highway to Egypt and was destroyed by the Assyrians in 701 BC and again in 688 BC. It is mentioned in the Armana letters and later attacked and overrun by the Babylonians. It was totally abandoned in 587 BC.
We returned to Jerusalem thru the tunnels and had lunch at Cinema City and returned to the hotel.
Gilla and Neil has dinner with us. Very good day.
SATURDAY
Today we pack and return home. We will get back to New Orleans
About 11am Sunday morning.
But first we walked the Old City with our friend Ibrahim. He met us at the Jaffa Gate and we traveled thru the back streets around to the Damascus Gate. Along the way we stopped and had sweets at a special shop in the Moslem Quarter and then coffee at a little shop overlooking Damascus Gate. I was thinking of relaxing today but 6,000 steps later we had finished and returned to the hotel. Now we will pack and go to the airport and return home.
Our pilgrimage has been more than I expected. The people we met, the roads we traveled, the sites we explored and the business we completed were beyond expectations. It has been a good journey.
A friend shared with me that if you give to your work your love you make of it an art.
I agree with that and one more statement:
Simply to be alive is a great joy.
We are at the gate at the airport waiting on the plane. We cleared security and immigration smoothly and now we have and 11 hour flight to JFK and 3 hours to New Orleans.
Thank you Lord for the journey
Clay Corvin