by Greg | Oct 25, 2011 | Blog Posts
Not so many years ago when my boys were toddlers the church I was serving as pastor was very close to our home, which happened to be the church’s parsonage. Most everyday I would go home for lunch with Amy and the boys. These were very simple years of ministry. Neither the church nor my schedule was unduly demanding and our routines as a family mirrored the same simplicity. More than once when I would push away from the table after lunch head back to the church, one or both of my sons would grab my leg and start crying asking me to not leave. They would rather have me at home all day, but I knew (or I thought) that was just unreasonable. I still remember clearly seeing them stand behind the glass door at the back porch crying and waving as I was pulling out of the driveway. “For goodness sake,” I thought, “I will be home in just a few hours.” I thought about this image as I was leaving Young Harris College last weekend. Amy and I enjoyed a beautiful time with our oldest son for “Family Weekend.” We met his professors, saw his dorm room (no comment), and met his many friends. While I know he was glad to see us, we could tell after a day or so that we were starting to get in his way. Right after Sunday lunch we were wrapping up our weekend together and saying our goodbyes. By the time we were driving off the college campus, my oldest had already turned his back and was walking with...
by Greg | Sep 19, 2011 | Blog Posts
Brenda Williamson captured this beautiful sunrise as we were flying out of Athens Our wake-up call roused us at 3 AM in order to have time for a cup of coffee before boarding our bus for one final journey – to the airport and then home! We left Athens around 7 AM and landed three hours later in Paris for what was suppose to be a four hour layover. Unfortunately the airline moved us all to a later flight and our layover was extended for another three and half hours. The good news is that we had a day in Paris. The bad news is that we could not leave the airport. We consoled ourselves with the reality that a good flight is one that will get us home safely. Indeed we arrived back at FBC Augusta around 12:40 AM and by 1:30 AM I was in my own bed fast asleep. Our journey is complete but our fond memories will continue to bloom as we reflect on this great experience. We followed Paul through a beautiful land. His message then and now continues to transform generations of followers of Jesus. Our guide reminded us that during the period of pagans, Greece was defined by its wisdom. Christianity introduced the time of love. May they define our footsteps as well. As you readers know one of our stops was in Ephesus. It was there that Paul penned the following words: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God– what is...
by Greg | Sep 17, 2011 | Blog Posts
Before I get to Day 12 let me say a few concluding words about Day 11. We headed for a “late” lunch at 2 pm. I believe I have mentioned before but Greeks eat both their lunch and supper much later than we do. In fact, it is fairly common for the traditional suppertime to be around 9 pm. Our drive back to Athens was a good two hours and so by the time we arrived most of us were good and tired. There was some time to jump in a very chilly pool and then freshen up for an evening in Athens. We had arranged a supper at a family diner that provided live folk entertainment, complete with a band, dancers and singers. The meal included dishes of veal, feta, and stuffed peppers. Of course what was most memorable was the entire group laughing, clapping, dancing (well some of us) and shouting “Opa!” at every opportunity. We were back at our hotels by 11:30 pm, and this writer/tour guide/pastor was pooped! Day 12 This morning we were out for a final day of a sightseeing tour of Athens including the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Our stop at Mars Hill where Paul addressed his followers was most memorable. Aeropagus in Greek or Mars Hill as called by the Romans is a bare marble hill next to the acropolis in Athens. Acts 17:15-18 In Paul’s day Epicurean Philosophy was known among the thinkers of Athens. Epicurus (341–270 B.C.) founded one of the major philosophies of ancient Greece. The Epicureans originally taught that the supreme good was happiness. By Paul’s time,...
by Greg | Sep 16, 2011 | Blog Posts
I finally have internet access! How did the world get along so long without it? Anyway, we have had a long day today and it is now 11:31 PM in Athens. Nonetheless, below is an update of our last several days. Sorry there are no pictures. I will have to add them later. Day 7 For the next four days we are out to sea and visiting some of the many islands that are part of Greece. Our ship is modest compared to most cruise line with just over a thousand passengers. Like everywhere else we have traveled there is plenty to eat, although there are a few in our group – including yours truly – who still smuggle fruits, rolls and muffins in our backpacks, just in case. We left our dock shortly after 11 am and traveled for about seven hours before reaching the beautiful island of Mykonos. Here I must admit is a place in Greece that as far as I can tell Paul, nor any of the other apostles ever traveled. Too bad, because this is one beautiful place. Narrow streets filled with shops of every variety. Making our way into the little town there were several little restaurants that specialize in all sorts of fish products, especially octopus. Since the food on the ship is covered, I am too cheap to eat off of the boat. Too bad beause grilled octopus looks good. We will have to try that when we get home. Nighttime came quickly and thankfully our bunks (or is it perch) were a comfortable respite for the evening. Day 8 We awoke...
by Greg | Sep 11, 2011 | Blog Posts
Today is our day for ancient Delphi – a place of “mythic” legend. This is not saying much since I suppose most all of Greece is the stuff for mythic legend. Perhaps what is most mythic of all is the quantity of food I am taking in! Large breakfast buffets followed by marvelous and unique lunches and of course breaks in between before finally concluding the day with a big supper. As they would say in Greece, “Opah!” – which no one knows what it means but somehow the collection of vowels and consonants succinctly sum it up. Following breakfast and after loading the bus we gathered alongside the Harbor of Itea (which means willow) and held a brief worship service. I used Philippians 2:1-11 as the text and we reflected on not only the land in which Paul traveled, but the call of Paul to take on the mind of Christ. Together we prayed for those who lost loved ones on that fateful day 10 years ago as well as this world which is still filled with uncertainty. We closed with Keith leading us in singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” and after the benediction we departed. Several “old men” of Greece were near-by and smiled and greeted us after we worshiped. There presence and indulgence of all these tourists holding a worship service while they were visiting was a simple and nice gesture of hospitality. Fifteen minutes later we were in the ancient town of Delphi, which was once a thriving town and is now just a small village of about 2000. Delphi, according to the Greeks, is considered...
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