We went to Patmos in Greece on Thursday and it was incredible!  We visited the cave where it is said that the Beloved Disciple, St. John received God’s RevelatioN.  Like the book of RevelatioN in the Bible?  Please note that there isn’t an S on the end of that book.

A small chapel has been built around the cave. It is very ornate and decorated with gold candles and icons.  If this wasn’t the place where the Book of Revelation was revealed or even if it wasn’t St. John himself who was in exile there, it was a very Holy place. As I was praying in the cave for someone, I was reminded that John was his favorite Gospel.  An unusual feeling washed over me. Like I had received a message.  I kneeled and lit a candle before I left as tears came down my face.

From there we went to the St. John’s monastery were 15 Orthodox monks live and care for the building.  It was beautifully painted with frescos and a 24 carrot gold screen. For more information go to www.travelinfo.gr/patmos/hsites.htm

You could tell the people took great pride in their “little city.” It was well kept and white washed clean. The trip from Turkey took four hours by boat.  We were blessed with calm seas.  It went by fast especially since I took about an hour nap over and back.  Mother Spice trying to read about Paul on the way back from Greece  or  Lura falls asleep on the job again!

In 57CE Christianity was spreading fast in Ephesus.  The Romans who were against St. Paul’s teaching rioted in the theater. The city was rebuilt four times in five different locations throughout history beginning in 1200 BC through 1012 AD.

We were looking at the ruins of a bathhouse near the center of the city.   Mehmet said that the woman who paid to have the bath house either restored or built was a prostitute. He continues to explain the rest of the lay out of the building.  At the end of his explanation I asked him, was being a prostitute considered a business of honor or shame? Ken, the Church History professor said, well she got paid didn’t she?

Mehmet went on to explain that the woman, whose statue we were looking at, was the head of a brothel.  She was highly admired and very well off.  Women were honored in that profession during that time.  There were temple prostitutes, who gave themselves in service to their Gods. There wasn’t the stigma that there is today for women.  Why is it that we don’t feel the same about of men who pay for sex as do for women who get paid?    Judge not, yet ye be judged. Mat. 7:1, Luke 6:37

Several of my classmates have commented on our outreach activities and their desire to be engaged in their community like we are.  I think we are doing positive Christian ministry, but that isn’t the same as sharing the Gospel.  What does that mean, “TO SHARE THE GOSPEL?” Allan said what I have heard so many other Anglican/Episcopals say (Ed) what is it that we as a denomination believe?  What is our message?   What do you think the Gospel message is?  Put your thoughts down below and let me know what you think.

The official Turkey news is saying that it is a “terrorist” group.  But Mehmet said that if you read between the lines that logistically it doesn’t make sense.  He says it was an Israelis rocket that carried the message if you send your navy over here we are going to send our rockets over their.  (Remember this is his opinion).

Turkey (a Muslim country although not technically a Muslim state) has been a close ally of Israel for some time.  Andrew and Ben, our instructors from St. George’s inside of Jerusalem, have both shared stories that make you scratch your head and wonder why.  If the situation change over here and there is a need to be concerned I promise I will let you know.  Stay turned to our web site for the latest news, as we know it.

During the day we visited a ruin from 50CE where there was a stadium, bath houses, sewers, running water, a basilica and a town center where these was slave trading.   We were reminded that slave trading during the first century was not the same as the slave trade during the eighteenth and nineteenth century.  How important it is to keep the context of time in mind as we read the scriptures.

At the end of the day we came to our hotel that is right on the Mediterranean Sea!  Following in the footsteps of St. Paul I went swimming.  Considering the number of shipwrecks he encountered I figured he was a pretty good swimmer.  The water was salty.  There is no beach but a very steep drop off and large rocks.  The hotel has a large deck/platform with a very long ladder that leads into the water.   The area is very beautiful.

Hittite ruin 1300-800BC

The first stop we made this morning was to a Hittite shrine.   The shrine dates back to 1300-800BC.  They are often mentioned along with two or three other sects that are in opposition to the Israelites in the Old Testament.  The Hittites were known to be the warring or violent sect.  The most famous of the Hittites to us Christians is most likely Uriah the Hittite who was Bathsheba’s husband.  This was the man that Dave sent off to the front line of battle, knowing he would be killed, so he could take her for his bride.  She is Solomon’s mother.

We had bible study today amongst the ruins of a temple where Paul would have preached. The question wasposed What was Paul’s missionary strategy?  We read chapter 9:19 of 1Corinthians:

¹⁹For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; ²⁰and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; ²¹to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; ²²to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. ²³Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Ben from Greece our teaching assistant

On the first day of class I said, I thought that Paul was a chameleon.  He had the gifts and skills from God to change his colors to serve the people he taught.  He used a number of different approaches to teaching as well.  It seemed to me to be just fine to change one’s colors as long as one doesn’t try and change ones spots.

Scholars often discuss the changes in attitude or the inconsistencies in Paul’s writings.  I listened to everyone give their ideas today and then at the end after pondering the others thoughts I spoke.

Is this really Paul’s missionary strategy or God’s?  Paul is a dedicated to God and God has picked Paul for this specific mission.  God would not just use one way to connect with His people so why would he limit Paul in that way.  God wants people to love and worship him; I don’t believe he cares what strategy it takes to get the people there.

For a moment I was on fire! It felt really good. I was preaching it! J  My concluding comment was about the fact that the Bible is God’s story and how Paul answered the call to God’s service, not how God came to Paul’s aid in preaching the Good News.

I was asked to be the Celebrant at our Eucharist tomorrow.  I am looking forward to that very much.  Happy Sunday.  I miss you and am will be with you in Spirit.

Our BIG 3/4 empty bus (w.bathroom)

I came up with an idea so I don’t have to worry, about my large suitcase or, about messing up my back.  We have placed the suitcase on the last seat of the big bus. I only take the clothes I need for that night, in my small carry on! Plus I have access to all my stuff on the bus during the day.

We drove for four hours today. We visited the Shrine of Rumi.  http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/konya-mevlana-museum.htm  Rumi’s son was the one that created the Whirling Dervishes, based on this father’s philosophies.  I now appreciate  more having seen the dancing ritual yesterday and understand the exhibits in the museum better.

Allan from New Zealand serving The Minister's wife

Here is part of a story about the Holy Spirit.  Our guide made arrangements so that we could celebrate the Eucharist today in the Catholic Church of St. Paul in downtown Konya.  It is the only functional church we have seen so far.  I read Act 14:1-9

¹Now it happened in Iconium (KONYA) that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. ²But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. ³Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.⁴But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. ⁵And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, ⁶they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. ⁷And they were preaching the gospel there.

We are not Jew or Gentile, man or woman, slave or free, we are ONE in Christ Jesus-St. Paul

Sometime during the prayers of the people a group came in about our size and sat down in the last few rows of chairs.  We exchanged the PEACE and when I had seen the members of our group I went to the back of the church and exchanged the Peace with the others.  I noticed Irwin was behind me greeting them as well.  The table was prepared, but before Ken the celebrant could begin, a man from the group came forward and said they were Lutherans and that they had an agreement with the Anglicans, and wanted to know if they could have communion with us!

The celebrant said, the Peace of the Lord Be Always With You, and everyone exchanged the PEACE. We shared out bulletins and stood in a circle which was now complete because we had enough people.  We served each other the bread and the wine, like we do at our Wednesday service.  They said, The Body/Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in German and we said it in English and it was very cool.

The Muslim call to worship also happened during the service.  After the dismissal I started to sing Amen, Amen, Amen, they joined in and we had some wonderful harmony!  Then they started a song, most of our group knew and we sung along.  I think the Anglican Eucharist in a Catholic Church shared with German Lutherans, while the Muslim’s were praying made God very happy today.

The gentleman who came forward was the Luther Minister.  He said to me that if I hadn’t come over and passed the Peace with them that we would have never stood up and asked.  It made me very happy and very sad all at the same time.  All in all a good day for the Kingdom.