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Published: June 24th 2008
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We woke up this morning quite early as our roomates spent two hours noisily getting ready to leave, one of the down sides of hostels. But it is all a part of the experience, so I didn't relly mind. We went down the two person elevator to eat breakfast which consisted of greek yogurt, bread, coffee, and orange juice. It was delicious!
After breakfast the lady at the front desk helped us figure out the best way to get to the Acropolis and which metro line to take. She was very helpful and I thinked she liked us quite a bit, but then everyone we have met has been extremely friendly and helpful, thank the Lord for that. We managed to make our way to the metro and then to the Acropolis without getting lost, which we were quite proud of I must say.
The Acropolis and surrounding ruins were amazing. I would close my eyes and imagine what they must have looked like thousands of years ago in their prime. I don't think words could describe. There were alot of tourists, people from all over the world, I could tell by the many different languages speken. I loved it!
We
were blown away thinking about the history of the ruins, and how many people must have walked the same path we did. I don't think words can describe the feeling.
(As per Pastor Brian's suggestion) We walked up onto Mars Hill, and read Acts 17. To read the words that Paul spoke, in the same place that he spoke them was incredible!! God was so present there, the spirit of that place was so different from the rest of the ruins.
v. 16." While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city."
I can just imagine Paul walking around Athens, walking around the Acropolis and feeling so sad because of all the temples and idols. We also saw statues of Aphrodite, Zeus, and the temple of Athena. Randi Jo and I talked about how the ruins, in their present physical state mirror the spirit of their former "glory". How magnifcent and beatiful all the statues, temples, and buildings must have looked, but for all the lost people in the past who came to these places to find fulfillment, there was only cheap imitations of the
truth. No wonder Paul was deeply troubled.
v. 19. "Then they took him to the Council of Philosophers.
v.22-31
"So Paul, standing before the council, in the middle of Mars Hill addressed them as follows: "Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious, for as I walked along I saw your many alters. And one of them had this inscription on it---'To an Unknown God." You have been worshiping him without knowing who he is, and now I wish to tell you about him.
He is the God who made the worls and everything in it. Since he is the Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, and human hands can't serve his needs---for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breaeth to everything, and he satifies every need there is. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth.He decided beforehand which should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him---though he is not far from any one of us. For in
him we live and move and exist. As one of your own poets sayd, 'We are his offspring.' And since this is true, we shouldn't think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. God overlooked people's former ignornace about these things, but bow he commands everyone everywhere to turn away from idols and turn to him.
For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.
After reading this passage, I wanted to clap, nice job Paul, way to preach it to the intellectuals.
After the long day of walking all over ancient ruins we went back to the hostel showered and hung out on our balcony for hours, drinking some yummy red wine with dinner and discussing the happenings of the day.
We had a wonderful day!! Kali mera!!
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Alex
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Pure Jealousy
Wow!! From the looks of it you two are having the time of your lives. I think that is so cool that you guys read Acts on top of Mars Hill, what an experience, sounds like something I'm gonna have to do. Well I hope you two continue to see amazing things especially what the Lord has in store for you and that you continue to find people God has placed on your journey.