One of the things that we really wanted to see on our visit to Roma was the Vatican City – & in it, the Sistene Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica. We went on Sunday afternoon & found out that everything in the Vatican City closes in the early afternoon, because there is very little (if any) electrical lights used in the buildings – everything is lit by natural light… which wanes in the afternoon, splaining why the buildings close…

This is an overview of the St. Peter’s Complex – I didn’t take the picture, obviously, but I thought it was important to show the size & scope of the Basilica Courtyard. It truly is monstrous. It was built over a 126 year period (1500-1625-ish) & was financed largely by the sale of indulgences (see my Travel Blog
for more detail on this…)

The massive courtyard allowed us to get lost in it – there were so many people in the courtyard, it still seemed like just a few; the only crowded spot was the ever growing line leading into the Basilica.

It was while we were standing in line to get into the church that one of Roma’s finest pigeons flew overhead and dropped a load on my black Eintracht Frankfurt jacket. Joni thought it was incredibly funny that this flying rat had deposited its doo on me, though I was not nearly as amused as she was. She later made up for her amusement by helping me to clean my jacket in our hotel room. (Translation: she did it for me. I attempted to clean it & evidently don’t know the first thing about dealing with pigeon poo. It also didn’t help because I was using Euro TP to clean the jacket, which actually ended up falling apart & just spreading the poo-stain all over my left shoulder.) Standing in line to get into the church was interesting – I counted at least 7 different languages being spoken around me: Portuguese, French, Spanish, American, Italian, & a couple that were definitely former Soviet-bloc… it made the experience that much more surreal – kinda like standing in line for a ride at Disneyland. There were several people that kept trying to jump into the line & take cuts. I had fun watching how the people from other places handled the “cutters” – some simply ignored the people; others made quiet comments that were still very obviously about the people doing the cutting; one couple observed the people cutting in front of them & then walked right past them & stood in front of them in the line. In case you’re wondering, I just chanted “Cutters!” & pointed my finger until embarrassment caused my wife to make me stop.

The Basilica itself was absolutely extravagant. It was all gold or gilded, with the pungent smell of incense permeating the huge room, (that can hold 60,000 people in the building that spans almost 6 acres.) I can completely understand why Luther was so concerned with how this cathedral was financed – it is so amazing, even now in the 21st century. I can only imagine how jaw-dropping this must have been back in the day, especially when compared with the abject suffering & extreme poverty of the majority of society.

The most impacting site I saw this day was the tomb of Pope John Paul Deux, located under the Basilica itself. Not because of how the tomb looked – it was simple, yet elegant, using the “Chi-Rho” symbol that I personally like so much I got it tattooed on my left shoulder… (The attached picture is of the tomb of Pope Paul VI, which was a dead ringer for PP2’s.) What stood out to me was the crowd of about 25 people that had gathered outside the tomb – they were mourning JP2 – crying, wailing, burning candles, writing notes… it was like he had just passed & the grief was still fresh. It was a sad moment to witness – sad, & also very hopeless feeling. It was awkward to witness, & felt darkly spiritual & eerie. We prayed through it. I wanted to take a picture of the tomb & the mourners, but thought better of it.

One of the regrets that I have from our trip is that we didn’t have the cord needed to upload photos. So, I’m going to be posting some of my favorites from our trip. Beings as I’m a history buff, it should be no surprise-ah that I am starting in Roma. Please bear with my insistence on using the names I learned for these places in Italia – I am merely entertaining my very own self with that.

My highlight, (besides the food and vino rossa, of course) was il Colosseo. All of the pictures in this post are from various points in, near, outside, over, by Roma’s most recognizable landmark.

Il Colosseo was built starting in 70-72 AD, & took about 10 years to build. It was named the Flavian Amphitheatre after Emperor Flavius. The name, Il Colosseo was taken from a large statue, il Colossus, a statue thought to be of Nero, that had stood outside of the entrance to the amphitheatre. One of the things that I didn’t know about il Colosseo was that a good portion of the building materials for this monstrous (esp. for its time) edifice came from the sacking & destruction of Jerusalem. Of course, it only makes sense that quality building materials would be reused. But learning that it came from Jerusalem, & its destruction, which Jesus had prophesied, had a profound impact on me.

The Flavian amphitheatre seated between 50 & 80K people, & was built on the site of Nero’s palace with the intent of removing his memory. It was a part of the Roman elite’s attempt to keep the commoners pacified through the usage of the “Bread & Circuses” strategy. This means: they gave away free bread & held gladiatorial contests & other spectacles to entertain people. This was based on the idea that people that weren’t hungry or bored wouldn’t revolt against the government. Worked. “Other spectacles” used to entertain people often meant the public execution of Christians – official enemies of the Roman Empire because of their claiming Jesus Christ, a defacto refusal to claim “no other King but Caesar.” Christians were “creatively killed,” used as gladiator fodder, meal attractions for wild animals (by wrapping people inside recently slaughtered animal carcasses, then turning lions, tigers, & bears loose on them.)

It was very emotional for me to be here. I couldn’t help but think of the men, women, & children who were led to the slaughter here; people who died terribly tortuous deaths because they refused to renounce Christ. They counted that the sufferings in this world didn’t compare with the promised glory revealed in us (Romans 8:18.) Seeing the remains of cells & holding areas that still dot the Colosseo grounds took me to consider those that were held inside.

Il Colosseo was used for approximately 500 years, with the last official games held there well after the documented fall of the Roman Empire. It stands as a 2000 year old monument, but is much more than that. It’s a powerful symbol, almost like the cross. What I mean is that Christ died on the cross & forever it has become the symbol of His victory over death & hell – a stark implement of death that has become a reminder of life to Christ-followers. Il Colosseo is a symbol for me – a symbol of what it means to not “love this life.” To be faithful “even unto death.” To endure. To hold fast faith. A testimony of the faith of our fathers & mothers. A challenge to me to live a life worthy of the calling I’ve been called with, & also worthy of those of the family of faith I belong to.

The pic is of baby Inka – the 2nd daughter of our hosts Martin & Sandra… providing eye-candy & a point of interest to distract you from the musings of a jet-lagged scoeyd…

Bloggers to the left of me. Bloggers to the right. In front. Behind. Stopping their blogging – temporarily. Or permanently. I understand why. Time. Priorities. Demands. Life. No inspiriation. No material.

Still, I want to keep going & push through. To consciously spend precious time on a computer recording thoughts, happenings, & epiphanies, mundane & fantastic. To push my brain to grow, my thoughts to go deeper, more detailed, & creative. Past the point where I’ve stopped before because it was too hard for me & something new or nothing was easier to give myself to.

I think it is a part of my life-mission to blog.

It sounds a little silly when I read the sentence back to myself, silently at first, but then out loud. Not that my life is defined by the act of blogging, but there is a sharpening of me, a growth that gets primed by the act of intentionally doing this. And for other reasons that I really don’t want to say right now.

So I will keep going.

we are off to a good day, having spent it with Johannes, eating breakfast with our host Sandra, & of course great bread & rolls. Its absolutely beautiful outside, a little chilly for the Bean’s taste, but hey, what isn’t…

I hope to touch base soon. now we’re off to market. Hooray! Shopping!

Delayed in Reno :)
We’re ending up on the 3 p.m. Reno to SF, then 6:30 p.m. SF to London, with a London to Frankfurt, arriving at 7:40 p.m. Deutschland time… about 10 hours extra of waiting. Fortunately, I’m with my girlfriend…

No, no time in London to find English muffins.

I’m on the road 1-17 November.

Frankfurt to Rome to Frankfurt to a place called Bad Something or Nuther (Bad means Bath, so its some sort of resort) then back to Frankfurt.

I’ll be posting as often as I can, with the occasional “in action” pictures from the Bean’s new camera. If there’s nothing here, you can always check the Hillside Blog Site

See you soon-
ScoeyD

This is my brother Moe, being sworn in by his boss, the Honorable Judge Maddox. He found out that he passed the Nevada Bar last week. Hooray for Moe.

Learning to BE vs. DO has been one of the harder things that I’ve tried to learn. Part of it is the built-in feeling &/or need to respond or take action because DOING something is seen as exponentially better than DOING nothing. This is especially “true” when it seems that DOING nothing means inactivity & is an indicator of apathy.

Not so fast – DOING is based in me & my resources – BEING is dependent on the resources, power, authority, & inclination of One greater. BEING is a reminder that I am not my own, & that I have a MAKER & a MASTER.

In this current onslaught of wickedness, sickness, hopelessness, despair, fear & intimidation, I am to BE STILL. My actions, my responses, my best attempts at DOING will not bring about God’s righteousness, or fulfill His plan for me & mine. BEING STILL means full reliance on my ROCK & my FORTRESS, my DELIVERER, my HEALER. My God.

Selah

I’m sitting here at my table drinking coffee, pondering the week that was…

Surgery on Monday turned out great – the complete thickness tear discovered on the MRI was nowhere to be found once they got inside the shoulder w/the leetle camera & knife – just some fraying. No tear means my recovery time is cut down by 1/4, & is evidenced by the fact that I am typing with both of my hands right now – I stil am supposed to wear my sling, esp. in crowds (its more for the crowd than for me, I was told) but in the priv-acy of my domicile, I am free. At this rate, I may be playing guitar by the time I go to Deutschland.

Travelling post-surgery is as bad an idea as I have had lately. The bright side of a Tuesday trip to LA was that I got to pre-board with the others in wheelchairs & the harried parents with reckless ankle biters. Can’t say I didn’t feign a bit of angst (for Teeem) in order to look less pleased with myself getting to pick whatever seat I wanted on the Greyhound in the Sky airlines… Also, reconnecting with friends T & D was worth the price. Ate at the Cheesecake Factory (BBQ Burger & Wings, no cheesecake :(…) Reno NEEDS a Cheesecake Factory.

Spoke at the LPC Chapel Talked about Ephesians 2:10 – w/the main idea being that God loves us because we’re His children, not because of what I can do for Him. Beings as I’m one of His masterpeza’s. A main talking point was Van Gogh’s Starry Night. I am not a mass-production, I am a masterpiece, & am unique… the things I BE & DO will reflect that – as a person, & in all the roles I fulfill.

Nobody booed or shouted “Blasphemy”, tore their clothes & through dirt in the air. This is especially significant to note as there were 2 members of the Foursquare Doctrinal Committee present. Woo hoo.

Found out 3 minutes ago that Jerry Cook has colon cancer. (For more on J to the C, see SCOEY’S HEROES POST) Treatment is starting immediately. Prognosis is good. God is better.

Thanks for walking through life with me. I’m richer for it.

Joe Montana is one of my heroes. When I was 10, the worst team in football, the 49ers, drafted Joe Montana in the 3rd round. (I know, they are once again among the worst teams in football – but as long as they beat Da Raiders this week, they will at least be able to say, “We’re #31!” But I digress.) It was a perfect time for me to engage with pro football – I had just started playing the game myself (Pop Warner) & the local (Bay area is local to Reno, if you squint hard enough…) team brings in a guy that has a knack for finding a way to win games that seemed like they were done & over.

Montana’s tenure as QB brought 4 Super Bowl victories. 3 Super Bowl MVP’s. Several years of watching a wispy guy with a so-so throwing arm lead the 49ers to victory. My favorite Montana moment was in Super Bowl XXIII XXIII Recap (that’s 23 for non-Roman Numeral types) where the Bengals of Cincinnati were overcome in the last minute for yet-another-come-from-behind-victory via a TD pass to John Taylor. I remember that moment as vividly as if it were yesterday. I was working as a Domino’s pizza delivery guy, (busiest day of the year is Super Bowl Sunday, BTW) & had the good fortune to be called to deliver 8 pies (industry slang. I’m an insider, don’t you know?!) to a hardcore 49er fan that wouldn’t let me leave his house. He made me (twisted my arm!) sit on his couch, eat a piece of the pizza I’d just delivered, & watch the entire last drive. After, the TD, it was bedlam. The dog was the most excited out of all of us, though I think it had to do with the pizzas that fell to the floor when everyone jumped up when the touchdown was scored. We all kinda looked like Montana does, in the picture above left. I cried when he left the team for the Chefs (sic). I cried again when he retired. Never met him. Hope to, though.

Which leads me to another hero: Jerry Cook. He’s the guy in picture on the right. I met him via his book, Love, Acceptance, & Forgiveness in about 1981. It became a staple in my “Books To Read On A Yearly Basis”, along with The Chronicles of Narnia, and C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy.

Jerry Cook helped a pessimistic (realist?) & often cynical churched kid & sometime PK see how the church could be. Should be. Functioning with Christ’s Love. Acceptance. And Forgiveness as core values guiding the behavior of those within the church towards each other & towards those not yet there. The Jesus Jerry talks about, knows personally, & introduces to his listeners/readers transcends style, culture, national origin, gender, & age groups.

This absolutely transformed my thinking & I believe is largely responsible (along with a praying mom, several divine interventions & redirections, & lots of grace,) for me being, doing, & thinking what I be’s, do’s, & thinks. (Interestingly, when I met my friend Johannes Livelli for the first time, we just hit it off. Immediate connection. Like we’d been friends for years. I found out later that one of our biggest commonalities is our church/Jesus view were shaped by Jerry Cook – me by the books I read, him through a 7 month internship he had in WA with Jerry as his overseer. Lucky!)

I met Jerry for the 1st time in 1999; he is an authentic, engaging, compassionate person, & is a lot like what I think Jesus would be if you met him on the street. Tonight, I get to hang out with him (and a few of my closest friends too.)