Worship into the Week- Ascension Day

 

 

Ascension Day- Acts 1:1-26

This section of Scripture identifies the transition of 

the earthly ministry of Jesus 

to the global mission of the Church.

We see the the gifting of the Holy Spirit as the center

 and movement for the evangelism to the world.

There is also the outline for apostolic leadership and 

the continuation of restored duties 

with the choosing of another apostle.

There were many proofs that hes was actually alive 

and so many conversations about the Kingdom of God.

But, even yet, the disciples were challenged to SEE

 the plan and asked about timing and the freedom 

and restoration for Israel.

Jesus assures them that the Father holds the timing

 and that the power of the Holy Spirit will be the gift to them.

Then he was taken up into a cloud and two angels 

stood near them assuring them

 that he would one day return.

 Then the disciples returned from the Mount of Olives

 and gathered with their faithful friends.

With prayerful intent and shaping they chose Matthias

 to be an apostle with the other eleven.

Their work was ready 

and they waited for the Spirit to come.

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Worship into the Week- In HIM

 Worship into the Week-

Acts 17:16-31 

In HIM

 Rather amazing timing this week to be at Mars Hill in Greece 

the same week as this lectionary reading for worship.

Here we are at the base of the steps that Paul would have used

 to reach the top. They are no longer used because of erosion

 and in trying to preserve them.

                                                                                              May 11, 2025

Paul's sermon with the Areopagus gathered at Mars Hill fully combines all the techniques that Paul effectively used for 

spreading the Gospel message. It was an advanced class level 

on how to meet people exactly where they are culturally, 

intellectually and spiritually.

Paul was overwhelmed with the staggering amount 

of idols and corrupt gods in Athens. 

His heart was heavy for the people there.

As was his method, he went to the synogogue 

to meet the Jewish people there.

But, he soon ventured into the marketplace, 

and the bustling center of activity.

Here is the view from Mars Hill, 

and you can see the ancient Agora 

with pillars (mid photo to the left).

This is where Paul hung out to strike up a 

conversation at every opportunity.

He didn't begin by blasting them for their ways,

 but worked with something familiar- the Unknown God. 

He found the common language

 and a place to start that made sense to all of them.

He then focused on a Creator God who doesn't

 need man-made things.

This Sovereign ruler determines all things and He desires 

that we would seek Him and establish our lives in Him.

God has commanded that repentance is in order because

 a day is set to judge the world. 

That has been set in motion with Jesus-

 who God raised from the dead.

Here is Mars Hill from up on the Acropolis. It

 is fairly close to this landmark of Athens.

Oh may many be drawn to this God- 

in whom we live and move and have our being.

Let us seek out the common ground 

and not fear meeting people right where they are.

Blessed to travel with my brother Kim

 and sister in law Gina.

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Worship into the Week- On Mission

 Worship into the Week-

Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60

The rapid growth of the early church also 

brought with it tensions. There were issues with the care

 of the Greek speaking widows-(Hellenists)

being neglected in favor 

of the Aramaic-speaking widows.(Hebrews)

There was a need for organizing 

the care and administration of the ministry.

Stephen was in the middle of managing 

the internal disputes, but the ministry 

was blessed and growing.

That growth caught the attention of the Sanhedrin.

The charge of blasphemy was hurled at Stephan 

and he spoke in his defense.

Though he was the "accused,"  he did not mince words 

with the "stiff-necked" leaders. 

Stephen accuses the church leaders with murdering Jesus

 and resisting the Holy Spirit.

That led to his death by stoning and a "Christ-like" repeat

 of forgiving his accusers as they took his life.

Thus, Stephen becomes the first Martyr 

and his view of the heavens to come 

assures us all that death is not the end of the journey.

His death becomes the trigger that sends 

the apostles into the world on mission as they scatter.

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Thessaloniki- Greece- Part 1

 

This tour is a bit different as we were rescheduled on a early 

afternoon flight when the airlines canceled 

our normal supper time flight.

So the group that left from Dulles had three hours 

to walk around and explore downtown city life.

The majestic symbol of Thessaloniki is the White Tower.

The tower houses a museum tracing the history of the city.

The present tower probably replaces an older Byzantine tower

 described  byt the 12th century Archbishop- Eustathius of

 Thessalonica when the city was rampaged in 1185.

The current tower guarded the eastern side of the city sea wall.

The current tower was constructed after the army of

 Sultan Murad II defeated Thessaloniki in 1430.

Through the years it has been a famous prison 

and the scene of numerous executions.

When Greece regained control over the city in 1912,

 it was remodeled and became the iconic symbol

 of the city on the waterfront.

                Another famous city site is the Arch of Galarius.

The triumphal arch was built by the city between 

298 and 305 AD to celebrate the Roman Emperor Galerius

 and his victory over the Persians. It is a beautiful example of

 Byzantine art and architecture. The carvings are amazing to view.

        The nearby Rotunda was built about 306 AD as a mausoleum 

for Galerius, but then he died and was buried in Serbia.

It was later converted into a Christian church and used 

in this way for over 1,200 years till the city fell to the Ottomans.

It became a mosque in 1590.

       In our walk about the city we went into this beautiful church. 

Tried to find the name but it was all Greek to me.

Ornate, peaceful and many areas of golden light

 pouring in the windows.

A part of our lovely walking tour.

Calendar Journaling- April 2016

 Already to the end of the month of April.  

Charting the daily (or catch up days) of devotional take aways.

Looking for the words that are significant for me

 to "pay attention to" this month.

Those are posted in the Word Log.   

This experiment is now onto two years of triplet words

 in random pattern that offer a doorway to prayer.

Maybe this summer I can hang out with that

 a bit more as Grab Three.

For my Bible reading I read through the book of Acts 

as we prepare to head to Greece 

for a Footsteps of Paul tour again. 

 Always so good to see this story in Scripture

 as it comes alive on land and sea.

Devotional:

Streams in the Desert by L.B. Csowman