Cathedrals Among the Rocks

We’ve been home nearly a week now and for the most part, adjusted to the Pacific Time Zone. 

Our trip was amazing and never to be forgotten. For the first twelve days, we wended our way through Israel, that tiny country that packs amazing history wherever you go. We climbed up slopes, gazed at rocks, stepped down into ancient water tunnels allowing towns to withstand enemy onslaughts for months. There were beautiful old cathedrals in cities and villages. We climbed among the the tels--archeological mounds created by old civilizations--and on one road, we stopped and gazed at an old, first century tomb that the road department workers discovered while working on the road. It was similar to the garden tomb where they laid Jesus. 

Each day, we were awestruck by the sights we saw. The rock sites that once were cities began to take on personality and substance. 

It was so satisfying to see OLD churches still in existence. In Jerusalem, there was one founded and built in 325 AD. THAT’s old!

We ended our trip by visiting a dear family in a little town called Avanos, near Cappadocia. Turkey has its own flavor and antiquity as well. Sad that even though the apostle Paul journeyed there three times, and early church seeds were planted and the early Christian Church thrived. Yet now, no cathedrals grace the streets, to attract visitors. Just newer mosques with their minarets and the speakers on top of them where the call to prayer is announced five times a day.

While we were in Turkey, we took a hike not far from Avanos with the family. They called it a valley, but here in the NW, we would call it a gorge. It was beautiful and reminded me of high desert central Oregon. Mountains and streams, sprinkled with evergreens and rocks. 

Among the rocks there were churches! Yes churches! 

High among the blooming trees, there were caves. We climbed up to a few and here’s what we saw:

I thought about those churches. Fearing persecution, early Christians hid and worshiped back there in the wilderness, carving out a place to worship  Jesus.

Governments from the first century up to now, have tried to stamp out Christianity but have not been successful. Though they had to hide and hew their churches in rocks, the cross is still there to remind believers what Jesus did for us. 

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Luke 19:40

I'm grateful for those brave souls who kept believing in spite of persecution. I'm grateful for the One who gives us strength to believe and even gives us what faith we have. I'm so glad God promises us His love:

....yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.

Isaiah 54:10