The first question in the Westminster Confession is:
What is the chief end of man?
And the answer is:
Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
And so I am learning that this is much deeper than I at first thought.
It seems easy to glorify God. To praise Him daily in all circumstances whether good or bad.
But at all times of the day? Am I glorifying Him in every thought, word, and deed?
I've even been thinking on my motivations for deeds. If I had to give one motivation for most of my good deeds, it would be to bless others. And while this may be a good motivation, I'm afraid it's not the best. You see, when I am looking to bless others, my heart may still be off the mark. What benefit is there to me for wanting to bless others? While I think my motivations are mostly pure, I'm wondering if I do not derive some benefit in blessing others--a good reputation, kind words, expressed appreciation, etc. And I admit some pride that comes from those things and some amount of self-gratification. There is some of ME in the equation.
Instead, I think my motivation in every thought, word and deed should be to glorify God. This is a huge paradigm shift for me. For if I am looking only for God's glory, then when the accolades do not come, when I am overlooked or unappreciated, then I can just trust the Lord that somehow He is getting glory--instead of wanting even some small part for myself.
Now how to live that out, that is another story. But I pray that the Lord will help me! For truly I cannot do it on my own! And may it be all for His glory!!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Who do you turn to?
Both of my J's have a stomach bug. We've been passing it around our home for the past few days.
I caught a glimpse of JJ in his bed reading. And just had the thought, "Who do you turn to when you're not feeling well?"
What a precious sight to see a glimpse of your children seeking for truth.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Ephesians 3
In Chapter 3, Paul reveals a hidden mystery that:
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
That the wall of separation that has existed between Jew and Gentile has been removed through Christ and there is now no Jew or Greek (Rom 10:12), nor slave or free, nor male or female in Christ (Gal. 3:28).
And Paul was given grace to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
I know that non-Christians cannot understand the depth that is contained in the Bible. But when I read it, I am amazed at how much I learn. NO matter how many times I've read a particular passage there is still more that I can learn as the Holy Spirit illuminates it to me. And no matter how much grace and how many blessings I've received as a result of following Christ, there are still more blessings tomorrow. It reminds me of the passage in Revelation 4 where the elders (after the the 4 living creatures proclaim God's holiness) fall down to worship Him. They are constantly proclaiming God's holiness--night and day, 24 hours a day! It seems like at some point they would know everything about God. But the elders continually get new revelation that causes them to continually fall down on their faces and worship!
And there's more! We have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
That the wall of separation that has existed between Jew and Gentile has been removed through Christ and there is now no Jew or Greek (Rom 10:12), nor slave or free, nor male or female in Christ (Gal. 3:28).
And Paul was given grace to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
I know that non-Christians cannot understand the depth that is contained in the Bible. But when I read it, I am amazed at how much I learn. NO matter how many times I've read a particular passage there is still more that I can learn as the Holy Spirit illuminates it to me. And no matter how much grace and how many blessings I've received as a result of following Christ, there are still more blessings tomorrow. It reminds me of the passage in Revelation 4 where the elders (after the the 4 living creatures proclaim God's holiness) fall down to worship Him. They are constantly proclaiming God's holiness--night and day, 24 hours a day! It seems like at some point they would know everything about God. But the elders continually get new revelation that causes them to continually fall down on their faces and worship!
And there's more! We have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
Just thinking in the natural. But not everyone has access to the President or king of a country. You have to have certain security clearances and a reason to be in His presence. When we come to know Christ, we have access to the King of Kings! The God of the Universe! And not only that we can come boldly and with confidence. We are his children and He delights in us and desires for us to come to him as we would a loving father. With our joys, triumphs, victories, defeats, struggles, needs, EVERYTHING.
Then Paul asks for 3 things:
1. That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
2. that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
and
3. that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
In other words, that we would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, that Christ would dwell in our hearts and that we would understand the depth of Christ's love.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. AmenWhat more can be said. He is so much greater than us. His ways are so much higher than ours. He is infinite, transcendent, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. I am not. And so I cannot even begin to comprehend Him. The small grain of sand of knowledge that I have of Him is so precious and I pray that maybe someday I'll have 2 grains. But it will never compare to the ocean full of sand that He is. And to know that He loves me and desires to reveal Himself to me is such a wonderful thought! To Him be the Glory forever and ever. AMEN
Ephesians 2
You HE made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
These are strong verses. We were dead and Christ made us alive. I don't see how a dead man can do anything. He doesn't move, he doesn't say anything, and he doesn't breathe. So I don't see how a dead man can choose God. I think that it is God who does the choosing and then once our eyes are open then we choose Him. In other words before the foundation of the world, God elected us. We were dead in our sins and unable to choose Him. Then at some point in the lives of the elect, when God deemed the exact right time, their eyes are opened to His goodness and they are given the choice to choosing him or to continue in their sin. And then it's kinda like choosing life or death. Who would be foolish enough to reject life? It is our nature before God opens our eyes to choose things that lead to death. But once God opens our eyes we have the ability to see the greatness of God and the ability to choose life.
we were children of wrath.
We had a discussion about this in our apologetics class. And according to these verses I believe that this is saying before we were saved we were children of wrath. And even though we are of the elect, before we are justified we are enemies of God and deserving of His wrath.
But God (even when we were dead in trespasses) made us alive together with Christ.
Again, we are dead, so we have no ability to choose. It was God who made us alive with Christ.
That He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.
And why did He do it? To show the exceeding riches of His grace. So that all of creation can marvel that He chose a sinner like me. So that He can get ALL the glory. And when God chooses a sinner such as me, then there is no glory that I can claim for myself. I did absolutely nothing to merit His mercy or grace.
For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
These are strong verses. We were dead and Christ made us alive. I don't see how a dead man can do anything. He doesn't move, he doesn't say anything, and he doesn't breathe. So I don't see how a dead man can choose God. I think that it is God who does the choosing and then once our eyes are open then we choose Him. In other words before the foundation of the world, God elected us. We were dead in our sins and unable to choose Him. Then at some point in the lives of the elect, when God deemed the exact right time, their eyes are opened to His goodness and they are given the choice to choosing him or to continue in their sin. And then it's kinda like choosing life or death. Who would be foolish enough to reject life? It is our nature before God opens our eyes to choose things that lead to death. But once God opens our eyes we have the ability to see the greatness of God and the ability to choose life.
we were children of wrath.
We had a discussion about this in our apologetics class. And according to these verses I believe that this is saying before we were saved we were children of wrath. And even though we are of the elect, before we are justified we are enemies of God and deserving of His wrath.
But God (even when we were dead in trespasses) made us alive together with Christ.
Again, we are dead, so we have no ability to choose. It was God who made us alive with Christ.
That He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.
And why did He do it? To show the exceeding riches of His grace. So that all of creation can marvel that He chose a sinner like me. So that He can get ALL the glory. And when God chooses a sinner such as me, then there is no glory that I can claim for myself. I did absolutely nothing to merit His mercy or grace.
For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Could this be a nail in the coffin for Open Theism? (The idea that God doesn't know the future. He only responds to it as it happens.) This verse is saying that not only did He choose me before the foundation of the world. He also had good works prepared for me to do.
Now I don't believe that I am some robot that has no choice in the matter. It's kinda like this--when I come to a fork in the road, God can block the ways he doesn't want me to go and then the choice is mine. There may be some ways that are better than others. And depending on where I am in my spiritual walk, I may choose better or worse. And through it all God is in control. He already knows what decisions I'll make and what temptations I'll face. And He teaches me and helps me to learn lessons and to grow in godliness even when my choice is not the best one or I am choosing sinfully.
An example from my life is my dear K. Oh how many lessons I have learned through that situation. But I believe God gave me the choice to submit to my husband for another child. And I chose correctly. But...had I not chosen correctly, God could have intervened and given us a child miraculously regardless of my choice. And I would have failed the test and had regrets. But knowing that I passed that test only makes my sweet K only more dear to my heart.
Now you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Citizenship was a great privilege during the Roman Empire. If you were a Roman citizen, you had more opportunity, protections and privileges that those who were not citizens. But we are not earthly citizens. We are citizens of God's Kingdom. And not only citizens, but members of the household of God. What it must have been like to be a member of Augustus Caesar's family. The riches, the privilege, the power, the protection of the emperor, and stature. But God's family provides us with His riches in Christ, the same power that raised Christ from the dead, the protection of God Himself, and the stature to be called a Son of God!! Awesome!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The NEA vs. Homeschooling
I found this recent information interesting...
========================
The National Education Association recently held its 2007 convention in Philadelphia and passed a number of resolutions, including one on home schooling. Below is the national teacher's union's position on what should be adopted by each state regarding home education. This is a reminder of why we must be actively on guard to defend our freedom to homeschool.
"B-75. Home Schooling. The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being born by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.
"The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools...."
=========================
As my children near high school, I've been questioning myself about the homeschooling journey.
What if they could get better academics in a different institution? (Public or private)
What if they could have access to better extracurricular activities?
Is homeschooling the BEST option for where we are in our lives right now?
Should we continue to homeschool through high school?
And the ultimate question-- why are we homeschooling?
As I've been searching my heart, I've had to figure out what is most important to me. Do I just want smart children? Or do I have a higher goal?
The NEA doesn't seem to think that we (homeschool parents) can provide everything that our children need for a "comprehensive education experience." And I wonder what they mean by that. Perhaps I won't be able to provide the absolute best academics in every subject or access to all extracurricular experiences. But what I can provide is much greater! A stable home environment where they can learn to love God and serve others. A place where they can learn more about our Lord and where they can learn how to defend their faith against the attacks from the world instead of having to fight those fights before they are ready.
In 2003 NHERI (National Home Educators Research Institute did a study and found that 75-85% of CHRISTIAN youth who attended public schools renounce their faith and/or quit going to church within 2 years after high school graduation. While 93% of homeschooled students continued to attend church and 94% of homeschooled adults strongly agreed to the statement: "My religious beliefs are basically the same as those of my parents."
And for me, I realized that my ultimate goal is to raise children who love the Lord and want to glorify Him in everything they do, say, think and feel. Not that they always attain that goal, but that they want to. And homeschooling provides the best odds of them succeeding in the ultimate goal of knowing God and learning how to serve others.
And so I've been asking myself, questions like "So in light of my ultimate goal, does it matter that they may not get the latest, most-up-to-date Science with fabulous labs? Does it matter that they may not have access to multitudes of opportunities for extracurricular activities? Does it matter that I don't have time to do everything that I want to do with them? And how can I make my priorities line up with my ultimate goal?
And I don't have all the answers yet. But I did talk to my dh about this and we are in agreements that our ultimate goal is to raise warriors for the Kingdom of God and that homeschooling is the BEST option for us to accomplish this goal. Of course we don't know what tomorrow will bring, but best case scenario we will continue to homeschool through high school despite what NEA or anyone else may think.
And lest anyone, think that I am slacking on academics...ask my children or my friends. ;-)
========================
The National Education Association recently held its 2007 convention in Philadelphia and passed a number of resolutions, including one on home schooling. Below is the national teacher's union's position on what should be adopted by each state regarding home education. This is a reminder of why we must be actively on guard to defend our freedom to homeschool.
"B-75. Home Schooling. The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being born by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.
"The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools...."
=========================
As my children near high school, I've been questioning myself about the homeschooling journey.
What if they could get better academics in a different institution? (Public or private)
What if they could have access to better extracurricular activities?
Is homeschooling the BEST option for where we are in our lives right now?
Should we continue to homeschool through high school?
And the ultimate question-- why are we homeschooling?
As I've been searching my heart, I've had to figure out what is most important to me. Do I just want smart children? Or do I have a higher goal?
The NEA doesn't seem to think that we (homeschool parents) can provide everything that our children need for a "comprehensive education experience." And I wonder what they mean by that. Perhaps I won't be able to provide the absolute best academics in every subject or access to all extracurricular experiences. But what I can provide is much greater! A stable home environment where they can learn to love God and serve others. A place where they can learn more about our Lord and where they can learn how to defend their faith against the attacks from the world instead of having to fight those fights before they are ready.
In 2003 NHERI (National Home Educators Research Institute did a study and found that 75-85% of CHRISTIAN youth who attended public schools renounce their faith and/or quit going to church within 2 years after high school graduation. While 93% of homeschooled students continued to attend church and 94% of homeschooled adults strongly agreed to the statement: "My religious beliefs are basically the same as those of my parents."
And for me, I realized that my ultimate goal is to raise children who love the Lord and want to glorify Him in everything they do, say, think and feel. Not that they always attain that goal, but that they want to. And homeschooling provides the best odds of them succeeding in the ultimate goal of knowing God and learning how to serve others.
And so I've been asking myself, questions like "So in light of my ultimate goal, does it matter that they may not get the latest, most-up-to-date Science with fabulous labs? Does it matter that they may not have access to multitudes of opportunities for extracurricular activities? Does it matter that I don't have time to do everything that I want to do with them? And how can I make my priorities line up with my ultimate goal?
And I don't have all the answers yet. But I did talk to my dh about this and we are in agreements that our ultimate goal is to raise warriors for the Kingdom of God and that homeschooling is the BEST option for us to accomplish this goal. Of course we don't know what tomorrow will bring, but best case scenario we will continue to homeschool through high school despite what NEA or anyone else may think.
And lest anyone, think that I am slacking on academics...ask my children or my friends. ;-)
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Ephesians 1
This book is written to the saints at Ephesus.
Grace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This indicates the equivalence of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, The Lord Jesus Christ = God.
We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
The blessings are for those in Christ. These blessings include righteousness, resources, privilege, position, and power. (Romans 8:16-17) Wow! We are so blessed in Christ and sometimes we forget. We live our lives with no joy and gloomy faces. And yet, if there was no other blessing other than salvation from eternal damnation, we should rejoice! Oh help me, dear Lord, to remember your blessings and to be grateful (and joyful) for all you have done!!
He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.
I know that not everyone will agree with me here and I'm not trying to convince, just put down in words what I believe. I believe that God chose His elect before the foundation of the world. God chose me before the beginning of the world. The choosing was determined by him and those who are chosen are called the elect. There is nothing that I can do to merit that choosing. He did it all! He gets all the glory. And that makes me grateful. If it were any other way, then one would have to ask, "What makes me different than the soul who did not choose?" "What was in me that made me choose and someone else not choose?" Andthat begs the question, "Was there something special about me that caused me to choose Him while someone else didn't?" And it sort of leads to a view that man initiates his own salvation. I will speak to this more when I get to Chapter 2. But for now, I'll leave with this thought if there was something in me that would cause me to choose and someone else not to choose, then that would make me special and would be the cause of God choosing me. And then God would be choosing based on something that I did which would make him a respecter of persons which is contrary to Acts 10:34 and I understand it.
He chose us ... to be holy and without blame before Him.
Our purpose is to be holy. The result is that we are without blame.
In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.
Again, my soteriology says that the predestination happened before the foundation of the world and it was God who chose the elect to be adopted as sons. And when we are adopted into God's family we are given us His own nature. Earthly adoptive parents cannot pass on their traits to the adopted child. But God is able to change us into new creatures who now desire to glorify Him.
Predestined according to the good pleasure of HIS will
It is not our will that makes us predestined, but HIS will. These next few verses also underscore that it is God's work and not ours.
In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace when HE made to abound towrad us in all wisdom and prudence. HE made known.. He purposed in HIMself. In Him we also have obtained an inheritance being predestined according to the purpose of HIM who works all things according to the counsel of HIS will.
My understanding here may be very simple. But it seems that there are too many HE and HIMs to overlook the fact that HE did it all.
You trusted after you HEARD the word of truth--the Gospel. You believed and were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
People need to hear the Gospel and it is our job to proclaim it. I fear that I have fallen very short of this lately and need to get back to sharing the Good news with others. Also, here is the progression mentioned. First you hear, then you trust. When you believed, then you were sealed with the HOly Spirit. Can a true believer (one of the elect) be unsealed? I do not believe so and therefore I think this verse points to the perseverance of the saints.
I have heard of your faith and love for all saints.
Throughout the epistles, true faith is accompanied with love for the brethren. If one does not have love for the brethren , then he should examine his heart.
[Paul's] Prayers [are] that God may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
We need to have more of a revelation of who God is in our lives. When we really know Him, it gives us strength, courage, love and patience for others, joy, and everything else we need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. I pray that this would be manifest in my life. Help me to learn more and to know you better, dear Lord!
So that we know the hope of our calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance, the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.
If I were to focus on knowing Him more, I would understand the hope in my calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance and the exceeding greatness of His power towards me. Oh how often, I look at myself, my struggles, my shortcomings, how I'm being treated in certain situations. I have been convicted lately and asking myself--who are you thinking about? And most of the time, when I'm defeated, struggling, angry and upset, frustrated, I'm thinking about ME. I hope that someday this will change in my life. That I can always look to Christ and know these things are true and take hold of the knowledge that His has blessed me beyond what I can imagine.
This same power is the power that raised Christ from the dead.
When I think of the power that raised Christ from the dead, I think of an awesome power. And that is the power that He has in my life. Wow!! Now if I only I can remember!
Grace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This indicates the equivalence of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, The Lord Jesus Christ = God.
We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
The blessings are for those in Christ. These blessings include righteousness, resources, privilege, position, and power. (Romans 8:16-17) Wow! We are so blessed in Christ and sometimes we forget. We live our lives with no joy and gloomy faces. And yet, if there was no other blessing other than salvation from eternal damnation, we should rejoice! Oh help me, dear Lord, to remember your blessings and to be grateful (and joyful) for all you have done!!
He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.
I know that not everyone will agree with me here and I'm not trying to convince, just put down in words what I believe. I believe that God chose His elect before the foundation of the world. God chose me before the beginning of the world. The choosing was determined by him and those who are chosen are called the elect. There is nothing that I can do to merit that choosing. He did it all! He gets all the glory. And that makes me grateful. If it were any other way, then one would have to ask, "What makes me different than the soul who did not choose?" "What was in me that made me choose and someone else not choose?" Andthat begs the question, "Was there something special about me that caused me to choose Him while someone else didn't?" And it sort of leads to a view that man initiates his own salvation. I will speak to this more when I get to Chapter 2. But for now, I'll leave with this thought if there was something in me that would cause me to choose and someone else not to choose, then that would make me special and would be the cause of God choosing me. And then God would be choosing based on something that I did which would make him a respecter of persons which is contrary to Acts 10:34 and I understand it.
He chose us ... to be holy and without blame before Him.
Our purpose is to be holy. The result is that we are without blame.
In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.
Again, my soteriology says that the predestination happened before the foundation of the world and it was God who chose the elect to be adopted as sons. And when we are adopted into God's family we are given us His own nature. Earthly adoptive parents cannot pass on their traits to the adopted child. But God is able to change us into new creatures who now desire to glorify Him.
Predestined according to the good pleasure of HIS will
It is not our will that makes us predestined, but HIS will. These next few verses also underscore that it is God's work and not ours.
In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace when HE made to abound towrad us in all wisdom and prudence. HE made known.. He purposed in HIMself. In Him we also have obtained an inheritance being predestined according to the purpose of HIM who works all things according to the counsel of HIS will.
My understanding here may be very simple. But it seems that there are too many HE and HIMs to overlook the fact that HE did it all.
You trusted after you HEARD the word of truth--the Gospel. You believed and were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
People need to hear the Gospel and it is our job to proclaim it. I fear that I have fallen very short of this lately and need to get back to sharing the Good news with others. Also, here is the progression mentioned. First you hear, then you trust. When you believed, then you were sealed with the HOly Spirit. Can a true believer (one of the elect) be unsealed? I do not believe so and therefore I think this verse points to the perseverance of the saints.
I have heard of your faith and love for all saints.
Throughout the epistles, true faith is accompanied with love for the brethren. If one does not have love for the brethren , then he should examine his heart.
[Paul's] Prayers [are] that God may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
We need to have more of a revelation of who God is in our lives. When we really know Him, it gives us strength, courage, love and patience for others, joy, and everything else we need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. I pray that this would be manifest in my life. Help me to learn more and to know you better, dear Lord!
So that we know the hope of our calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance, the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.
If I were to focus on knowing Him more, I would understand the hope in my calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance and the exceeding greatness of His power towards me. Oh how often, I look at myself, my struggles, my shortcomings, how I'm being treated in certain situations. I have been convicted lately and asking myself--who are you thinking about? And most of the time, when I'm defeated, struggling, angry and upset, frustrated, I'm thinking about ME. I hope that someday this will change in my life. That I can always look to Christ and know these things are true and take hold of the knowledge that His has blessed me beyond what I can imagine.
This same power is the power that raised Christ from the dead.
When I think of the power that raised Christ from the dead, I think of an awesome power. And that is the power that He has in my life. Wow!! Now if I only I can remember!
Ephesians --Background
Our family was able to take a trip a few years ago to Greece, Rome and Ephesus in the footsteps of Paul. I hope to be able to look back over the video of that trip to gain more insight. But here is what I remember.
Ephesus is in modern day Turkey. And on the day we went there it was extremely hot! 104 degrees if I remember correctly. I wasn't feeling well on that day as it was toward the end of our trip and we had just gotten off the cruise so I didn't have my "land-legs" back. So I was in the words of Madame Blueberry, "Feeling woozy."
Ephesus was a commercial, port city. They were VERY wealthy and pagan. There were many prostitutes and they advertised their brothels in the concrete sidewalks. There was a large library in Ephesus. And they were known for their worship of Diana. Statues of her show her as a many-breasted goddess. And in reading Acts 19, one can see the encounters that Paul had with the Ephesians. In fact, the men of Ephesus got mad at Paul for preaching against their idol and ruining their business. They got together and shouted for 2 hours "Great is Diana of the Ephesians."
I think one thing that I find amazing in the day in which I live is that they would persist in that activity for 2 hours. We live in such a time that no one does anything for any lengthy amount of time and we get our information in 30-second sound bites.
There were 2 large gathering areas in Ephesus--one was an audion, the other was a great amphitheater. We were told that where Paul most likely met with the Ephesians was at the smaller audion.
Ephesus is in modern day Turkey. And on the day we went there it was extremely hot! 104 degrees if I remember correctly. I wasn't feeling well on that day as it was toward the end of our trip and we had just gotten off the cruise so I didn't have my "land-legs" back. So I was in the words of Madame Blueberry, "Feeling woozy."
Ephesus was a commercial, port city. They were VERY wealthy and pagan. There were many prostitutes and they advertised their brothels in the concrete sidewalks. There was a large library in Ephesus. And they were known for their worship of Diana. Statues of her show her as a many-breasted goddess. And in reading Acts 19, one can see the encounters that Paul had with the Ephesians. In fact, the men of Ephesus got mad at Paul for preaching against their idol and ruining their business. They got together and shouted for 2 hours "Great is Diana of the Ephesians."
I think one thing that I find amazing in the day in which I live is that they would persist in that activity for 2 hours. We live in such a time that no one does anything for any lengthy amount of time and we get our information in 30-second sound bites.
There were 2 large gathering areas in Ephesus--one was an audion, the other was a great amphitheater. We were told that where Paul most likely met with the Ephesians was at the smaller audion.
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