Paul

Cenchrea

27 May, 2009by dcswinford

In Acts 18, Paul stops while in the area of Corinth and Athens at the beachfront town of Cenchrea to mark the fulfillment of a vow or an oath by having his haircut. There's not really a whole lot we know about the place, it is simply memorialized by the faithfulness of Paul. This is where he stopped to pay his vow.

It reminds me of the necessity of paying our vows. Paul purposefully stopped and did what he needed to do to fulfill what he said he would do and we need to be as purposeful.

Cenchrea is a beautiful place, isn't it? I wonder if it looked similar as Paul stood on the shore and looked out over the water? I would like to think so. More than that, I would like to think that I will be as faithful as Paul in my commitments.

Haircut anyone?

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Walking Through the Ruins of Corinth

25 May, 2009by dcswinford

When walking through Ancient Corinth, you can't help but be drawn to a wall, a stone floor and a piece of stone column looking remarkably like a pulpit or speakers stand. It's the stone pavement where issues were discussed, opinions stated, and judgments handed down. It is one of the places in the ancient world where we know the Apostle Paul spoke and defended His teaching of Christ.

Walking through the museum, walking up and down the streets of the city, looking at the foundations and walls of the old city makes you realize that the words that we read in Scripture happened in a real world context. Real stones, real buildings, real people. We know this, of course, but it becomes so much more real when you stand in places like Corinth.

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The Extraordinary and Ordinary Acropolis and the Apostle Paul

21 May, 2009by dcswinford

I will be writing a blog or two on our ministry training school in Athens, but first I wanted to share an image of the Acropolis which towers above the city of Athens. While walking around the Acropolis, the Agora (market place), Mar's Hill, ancient Corinth, etc., you get a real feel for what life would have been like during the days of Jesus, Peter and Paul. It's absolutely amazing. As you stand at the Acropolis, looking down on other temples, Mar's Hill and the Agora, you can't help but think about how impressive all of this would have been during the time when Paul spoke to the people of Athens about God, Christ and the reality of the resurrection. What a blessing to have a opportunity to walk in his footsteps! It's extraordinary!