Ancient Corinth…Yeah, From the Bible

Bema of Ancient Corinth

I mentioned that I wasn’t too fond of Athens. So, I was looking forward to renting my car and heading west to the Peloponnese peninsula.

One of the firsts stops I was planning was Corinth. Paul visited Corinth and later wrote two letters to the church of this city. 1st and 2nd Corinthians.

As I have been in Greece, I’ve been reading through Corinthians. And many things struck me on this reading.

Divisions.

The church of Corinth had some issues. Various issues that needed to be addressed. Yet, 2000 years later, this book is just as important because we still have divisions within the Church.

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have people following this leader. Or that leader. Vocalizing their thoughts why one leader isn’t truly good for the Church. Just lots of negativity of the Church.

Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!

1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It seems we are a society that loves to stir division for the sake of restoration. But are there better ways?

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The first stop of our trip through Corinth was an old port. The Ancient Port of Kechries. Or Cenchrea.

Ancient Port of Kechries

Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭18‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.

Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Next we headed to Ancient Corinth.

Temple of Apollo in Ancient Corinth

We walked through the ruins of this old town, looking at the idol temples, supposed homes and meeting places back in the day.

But mostly, we were looking for something that mentioned Paul.

And behold, we found it.

”But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.” But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom. The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.”

Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭18‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Bema, or the first picture, is where this was supposed taken place. It was the town center, so disputes were usually handled there. Including this interaction between Paul and Gallio.

So, I stood in the place Paul supposedly stood. He was preaching and teaching, defending the Gospel. And all I was doing was standing silent.

It seems like I live a quiet life. I don’t share my faith openly on the streets like a Paul or Silas. I don’t go to the large gatherings in hopes of sharing the Good News. I don’t live my life loud.

I wonder would the world be a better place if more quiet people grew a little louder. But instead of talk of divisions and negativity, the world hears more peace and unity.

I’m hopeful.

Peace

Oh, Hear the Angels Sing

Last month I became addicted to a Christmas album, Tommee Profitt The Birth of a King: Live. I kept playing the album over and over and no matter where I was at (work, car or the gym) I was drawn to the Christmas hymns and the worship behind them.

This week at work, I needed a pick me up. So I pulled out my Christmas album and played it. And then played it again. And again.

It may be the end of January, but who said we should only celebrate Christ’s birth in December.

We should celebrate it everyday.

As I was working I listened to “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and I was once again pulled out of my state of stress and dismay at the hook of the song,

Oh, hear the angels sing, oh
Oh, hear the angels sing
“Our King has come”

And in that moment, I longed to hear the angels sing.

Not to sing me out of my pit of worry and inner focus, but to remind me “Our King has come!”

Oh, to hear that sound that many years ago of angels praising God for what they have been waiting for from the beginning of time.

Oh, to hear their voices break the depressing world that can easily tangle us all into wallowing in our own self pity.

Oh, to hear the unity of all creation bowing before the Savior of the world.

Oh, to hear the the power behind their words awakening a sleeping word.

Oh, to hear…just to hear the angels sing.

Many times in worship I have to close my eyes. Too many distractions. Too many lights. Too many obstacles when I need to focus on the reason why I am worshipping.

And many times, I imagine myself being in front of the throne hidden in the masses of angels praising God. I may not know what Heaven looks like, but I try to imagine it. And I know my imagination is a frail comparison of the true wonder of it.

Yet, I’m often compelled by my little picture in my head with emotions of just a little snipit of what I can expect.

Oh, to hear the angels sing…it’s such a lovely thought. Isn’t it?

May you find the intrigue and wonder, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Peace

If you need a new album to listen to, check this one out. Every song…everyone will lead you to worship the Birth of a King.

What is Your Plan for Life?

I’ve had multiple conversations in the last month about plans and goals in life.

A couple were strictly a business plan. If our company is at Point A right now where do we want to be in two years?

Sometimes people do not like to set lofty goals for fear of not reaching them. The failure complex. Hearing that not being good enough inner voice. Wave the white flag syndrome and admit defeat.

But just because you don’t reach your goals, that doesn’t mean you are a failure. Who says these goals had to have a timeline?

If in two years you are farther along than you are now, you may be able to still count that as a success.

The beauty of goals is charting the course and mapping out your desired path. There may be detours, but without a goal or endpoint in mind, you could be wandering in circles without realizing you passed the same spot sixteen times.

I was speaking with a friend when his wife spoke up and said, “without a plan you could end up somewhere you don’t want to be.”

Yes. You may think you are striving and moving forward, but what if you’re not. It’s like sailing. In the middle of the ocean you cannot see land. But if you use navigational tools you can figure out where to sail to hit land. You could be sailing blindly south in the Pacific thinking you are making some great strides, but if your destination is California in the East you may be greatly disappointed when you hit Antartica a week later.

So, making a plan and forming a path to your outcome is essential.

Paul writes,

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly

1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭26‬a NIV

Are you running aimlessly?

Have you ever been lost and needed to be somewhere in 5 minutes? GPS wasn’t working. No map. Nothing but wandering down an unknown street hoping something will jump out telling you you are here.

That is a bad feeling.

Sadly, many people are going through life aimlessly. They may not be running, but they are going through the same ol’ motions of ten years ago without any idea of where they are going.

They may not have a bad feeling, but most likely, they don’t have any feelings. They are just numb to the unknown state of their existence.

In my heart, I think that may be a worse feeling than being lost. Just the lukewarmness of feeling nothing. The dull emotional state of nothing good or bad.

I’ve been told that Hell may not be fire and brimstone. It may just be a state of existence without God.

I wonder if Hell is like a never ending treadmill of going nowhere. Just walking with no place to go. Nothing to see. Nothing to do. Just a state of moving because that is all you know. You’ve been walking on the treadmill with no questions asked for a decade and you’ll be walking for another decade.

We were made to be more than treadmill walkers with no excitement in our lives. We were created to dream, to go, to move, to inspire, to tell, to do, to share, to live.

If you feel like you’re stuck, you may be.

It’s time to quit living your life in a hamster wheel. It’s time to run with purpose and determination.

It’s time to aim where you are running.

If you need help, I’m here. You don’t have to run alone.

Peace

Almost Nothing is Guaranteed

It’s hard to believe it is already middle of January 2024. Time seems to go faster as the years add on.

I was talking to some friends the other day and they were talking about a family tragedy and the sentiment of we are not guaranteed another day hung in the air.

Most times we speak these words during a trial or death with the outlook that tomorrow we will seize the day.

But when tomorrow comes, do you seize it?

Or do you go back to your yesterdays of no change?

Why do we wait until a funeral or life crisis to make a vow of a breaking away from the old and exploring a new dream?

Because in that moment we realize how fragile life is and we are not really living like it’s fragile. We live like we are plastic people doing the same robot moves that are safe and rehearsed. We treat our lives like the directions on a cheap bottle of shampoo, but we are more than shampoo.

We were made to seize the day.

Not repeat the same actions of the last 30 years.

So, are you planning on making 2024 a better year?

Or are you planning on living like you did in 2014? Or 2004? Or 1994?

This can be the year you make a change. Break the boring cycle. Face your defeatable giants. Climb the possible mountain.

I am trying something new in 2024. It may be minuscule in someone else’s eyes, but it’s huge to me.

And I know if I don’t do it, no one else will do it for me.

So, why not journey with me this year?

Get out your bucket list and see if there is anything you can cross off.

You may realize you don’t even have a list. So make one.

Then pick one and focus. Chase after that idea. Hunt down that dream. Live like tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and see how much different 2024 can be.

If you’re willing…you are more than able.

”Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ready to see if this true?

You’re the only one stopping you from fulfilling your God-given destiny. So embrace it. And follow where He leads.

He has never led anyone wrong before. And He’s not going to start with you.

Peace

The Movement

Can you think of any important movements that have occurred in your lifetime?

When I look back in my life at the various movements I can recall, they usually have a common thread.

They were spurred on by the younger generation.

In 1992 the election between Bush and Clinton had a movement. MTV highlighted the Rock the Vote campaign urging their listeners (20 year olds) to vote. Some say this helped Clinton win the election by the surge of new, young voters.

There have been other political movements including the Tianamen Square massacre which was led by student protesters.

But not all movements are political. There are the global climate protests where young people protest to save the rain forest, an endangered species, carbon emissions or other pollutants.

We have social issues involving abortion or marriage rights, equality and racial bias, education and minimum wage. And usually the young people are the ones making the most noise for their movement.

You may not agree with the movements, but you have to agree that the younger generation has an ability to not turn a blind eye when they see something they don’t agree with.

They move.

One of the greatest movements in history was led by a young group 2000 years ago and we still see the impact of their dramatic urge to not remain silent.

The Church was founded by this young group of followers. Many times we picture Jesus’ disciples as grown men, but more than likely they were late teenage boys or early 20 year olds.

Next time you see a group of high school boys picture one of them being Peter, who Christ said he would build his Church upon. Or look for the youngest one, John, who was called the beloved and asked to care for Jesus’ mother after His death. Or maybe James or Andrew.

When you look at a group of 16 year olds do you see the potential? Not for a big future. But a big now.

Sadly, grown adults often don’t start movements. They may participate in them for a short time, but life gets in the way. And then they go back to their status quo of thinking someone else will do it.

But we as the Church should be a part of a continual movement. Always showing the marvelous light of Christ to a darkened world. That light should ignite a spark and blaze until it’s a forest fire. But sadly, we hide our light under the bushel like the children’s song. Because movements take effort.

Movements take time.

Movements often call us to see beyond ourself, and sadly, we are often too self-centered to look outside our sphere of influence.

So we say a prayer. Hoping God will use someone else to spread His message of grace and hope.

But ask a young person who is on fire for Christ, and they would go to third world countries to share Christ love or to downtown soup kitchens. They may start fundraisers to adopt a child in Africa or fast to bring awareness to the sickening business of human trafficking happening in our own backyards.

May we fan the flames to encourage the younger generation to chase a heart for Christ. May we also sit near by and feel the warmth of the flame to melt our sometimes icy heart. Then may we follow their lead and know God didn’t call us to just sit in pews each Sunday.

We were called to Go.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Then after the Holy Spirit filled them someone felt the nudge. A nudge that he couldn’t remain silent anymore. A nudge he knew was from God. He may have been just a 20 year old man, but once again, a young person started a movement.

Then Peter stepped forward…

Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And history hasn’t been the same since.

What happened then…can happen again.

May we start to live like the younger generation full of determination and gumption.

We are never too old to live like the younger generation.

Peace