Eastern Turkey

Eastern Turkey is a region that quickly takes you back into a different time. Unlike Ankara and Istanbul, the landscape is dotted by small villages and cities much like America at the turn of the 20th century—or at least it was that way when we lived there. There were few roads and fewer automobiles. Village phone numbers were often only three numbers—and sometimes only two. The rolling hills and ancient limestone formations were reminders of creation’s beauty and diversity. If you remember the roadrunner cartoons with the tall chimney rocks you have an idea of what this part of Turkey looked like. In the far eastern corner of Turkey on the border with Russia and Armenia is Mount Ararat—where ark hunters search for Noah’s ark. However, what you don’t see may be the most impressive thing in the region. Though many of us do not realize it, most of the New Testament addressed believers living in what is modern Turkey. Though now an Islamic country that wasn’t always true. In the 7th and 8th century as the Islamic armies marched through the area, Christians faced a choice. They could convert to Islam or they could die. They had another option—they could find a way to survive. Many took the third option. They went underground—digging massive cities that held as many as 50,000 people. I had the opportunity to descend into one of these cities. To say they are impressive is an understatement. If I remember correctly, the last of these cities were not emptied until the early 20th century after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. As you entered, you went through a narrow hallway carved into the rock. At the end of the hallway was a large stone—with a hole chiseled into the center. The inside of the hole was bigger than the outsid...

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...u, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” [John 14:1-6] Writing to many of you, I don’t know where you are in your walk with Christ. However, accept this challenge—compare Christ to all others. Dare to examine the Scriptures against all others. Dare to search for God’s truth and I can assure you—when you search for truth, when you search for the way to God, when you search for the life God gives there is only ONE place you find yourselves—at the foot of the Cross and by an empty tomb! You know, those underground cities are right—sometimes there really is only one way in. Have a great day!