Month: August 2017

The Island of Patmos, Greece We de boarded the Azamara Cruise ship and took a speedboat to reach the Island of Patmos. We couldn’t asked for a better tour guide than the one assigned to us. He authored a book about the Island of Patmos.I’m seated on a huge rock which is part of the cave where the Apostle John received the Revelation from God. Below is the entrance door to the cave. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the cave. Orthodox Service/Mass are conducted inside the cave chapel several times a day. The Monastery of St. John the Theologian located at the highest poin of Patmos Island. Relaxing in one of the courtyards of the St John Monastery.Below the monastery and on the shores of Patmos Island are the whitewash buildings- the other tourist attraction in the Island of Patmos. 

(Note: Tour providers distinguish Bible Land tour from Holy land tour. Holy Land pilgrimage is the visit to Israel where Jesus lived. Visit to other places mentioned in the Bible is referred to as Biblical tour. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is still on my bucket list.)

  Corinth 

Thessalonica 

These ancient water system viaducts are  all around the city of Thessalonica. Driving around the city is like being in a huge museum. There are traces of the ancient relics everywhere.Thessalonica at the present times.

• EphesusThe famous goddess NikeArcheological digging of the ancient city of Ephesus started in the mid 1800 and yet to this day only 10-15% had been unearthed! The Library of Celsus

“Sweetheart, free yourself for ten days in October starting the 23rd.” My wife whispered to me as she woke me up one Saturday morning in September 2014. Why? I asked. “I’m not telling.  We’re going on a trip that’s all I can say. Just be ready”.  She said with a smirk. 

I did not insist on knowing. I just knew something  good was cooking up and I enyoyed being surprised.  There were a number of reasons to celebrate and to be thankful.  That was the third year of my cancer remission.  She usually gives me something valuable on my birthday and I was still waiting for the gift for my 56th.  And yes, our 31st wedding anniversary was around the corner.  A spirtual retreat in Wisconsin just like what we did years back would be a good time for reflection.  

Few days before the scheduled getaway, I found something in the mail that revealed her surprise…..a packet from Asbury Theological Seminary detailing the itinerary for a cruise to Greece and Turkey! The trip was for a spiritual pilgrimage to the Biblical lands. What an upgrade from the Wisconsin retreat I was expecting! 

The cruise organized by Asbury Theological Seminary for its alumni, traced the footsteps of the Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey.  The Book of Acts came to life as we visited the sites of the New Testament Churches.

Dr. Maxie Dunnam, the seminary president during my time at Asbury Theological Seminary came along and gave lectures on the significance of the historical/Biblical sites which includes Thessalonica, Philippi, Berea and Corinth in Greece and Ephesus, Miletus Pergamom in Turkey. We also toured the famous sites of Acropolis of Athens, the Corinth Canal, monasteries in the monolith mountains of Meteora, Hagaia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Phillippi

For me, one of the highlights of the tour was when Dr. Dunnam assigned me as one of the Pastors to administer communion to alumni delegates at the biblical site of  Phillippi where the first woman/Gentile convert Lydia, met the Apostle Paul. Before the communion, one woman delegate portrayed the character of Lydia with the background of the rushing water. As I listened, I was transported back to the New Testament times! Lydia was a trader of purple cloth. During the communion we blessed the people with water scooped from the rushing river. I was assigned to distribute the communion bread to a section of the crowed standing by the bank of the river. We were given this script: “The body of Christ broken for you. Take, eat that you may have peace.” 
When I served the bread to a lady whose face became familiar because we rode the same tour bus, my script changed. I said: “The body of Christ broken for you. Take, eat and be healed.” She looked me straight in the eyes, then started sobbing as she took the bread. 

Later, when we got in the bus, she came to me and said. Thank you Pastor (She knew I’m a pastor as indicated in my name tag) for declaring healing on me. That’s just what I needed. I’ve been struggling with physical issues and I needed God’s touch. I felt and I believe He did it today.” 

“Praise the Lord! God bless you my dear Sister. I’m a cancer survivor because God healed me. I said in response.

Berea, Greece

The statue of the Apostle Paul. 

Meteora, Greece

Monasteries were built on top of these rock mountains.

Tha man-made Corinth Canal

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Next Blog issue will feature:

• Island of Patmos
• Corinth
• Thessalonica
• Pergamom
• Miletus
• Ephesus
• Hagaia Sophia
• Grand Bazaar 

When I think of myself only,  the idea of death is not bad at all. For death to a Christian believer is “going to heaven”. And heaven is such a wonderful place as described in the Bible. No more tears, no more sickness, no more pain. I will have a glorious body. Heaven is a place where there is no suffering, no struggles… a place of perfect peace….a place uncontaminated with sin….a place of eternal rest. That’s actually the blessed hope that every weary Christian sojourner is promised and should look forward to. 

I surely want to be there!

But when I think of my loved ones, my wife, children, grandchildren my sisters and their families, my friends and everyone dear to me, the idea of death or leaving them behind becomes very depressing! 

I want to grow old with my wife and see the rest of the world with her. I want to see all my children settled with their own families. I want to see all my grandchildren and enjoy them. I want them to see and know me, not just hear about me.

And if I have something else to contribute to this world while I’m still here, let me so do it!
I’ll do my share of work in the vineyard:

Lead others to Christ. 

Teach and preach God’s Word.

Inspire and encourage others.

Heaven? 

Yes! 

Thank you for that eternal gift.

But not yet!

Not soon!

And not now,

Please!

Lord, gracious giver and sustainer of life, grant me some more years that I might enjoy the wonderful human relationships you have gifted me.  

This is my earnest desire and plea!
But still, Your will is best.
And may Your will be done in my life! 

Grant me the grace to accept Your will that I may say with my lips: “It is well! Indeed it is well with my soul!”