Mars Hill, continuation of our trip

After checking into our rooms, we met in the lobby.  If you weren't there on time, it was assumed you wanted to nap instead of go on our walking tour.

I thought my motorcycle friends would appreciate this picture.

graffiti in greece

We climbed Mars Hill.  It was not a large marketplace, but a small stone outcropping.  (I forgot to get a picture so borrowed this one on-line).  The ancient marble steps were slippery and not easy to climb.

It overlooks the city and all the temples and idols.  In Paul's day, people would come to discuss beliefs and ideas, philosophies and religions.  It was here that Paul reasoned with the people.  

Acts 17:22-31

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus (Mars Hill) and said: ‘People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god." 

He may have even pointed to the temple of the unknown god.  Here he talks about the real God.

"So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.  24 ‘The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. "   (I LOVE this verse!)

28 “For in him we live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.”  29 ‘Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.’

Jim,   Mount Lycabettus in the background

Temple to Zeus 

 Several people who weren't in our travel group came and sat down to listen also to the study.

a couple in love

??  you wear the mask while you play?

theological discussion going on

view of the Parthenon (only remaining building on the Acropolis)  from Mars Hill

Paul had not planned to come here but the Spirit wouldn't let him go to Asia.  The "game plan" was not in his control.  God said they needed him in Macedonia so he was led to come here.  Paul was not fully aware of what he was getting into.

Paul's sermon in Greek is on the plaque that is on the side of Mars Hill

back to the hotel for supper

Flight to Athens

After our wonderful little excursion around  Samos Island, we went to the airport.  It was just a small one-room airport.  

We had to walk out on the tarmac to get onto our plane.

What fun to fly over the  Aegean Sea.

Can you spot Samos on the map (right side) ?  

Greece

Athens airpot

We loaded onto a bus and drove to our hotel.

They have IKEA in Athens too!

An interesting Holiday Inn

toll booth

interesting parking

One apartment dweller enjoys greenery - probably wishes to live in the country

I enjoy various architecture

When we got to our hotel, Jim got all the room

 arrangements and handed out the room keys.

Next - Mars Hill!

Fall day

It is such a beautiful fall day!

Had Young Mom's Bible study in the morning.  I LOVE these girls!!  

When I got home, I called my walking partner.   I have several hours of work to do at the computer today and I knew I needed to walk and get some fresh air!   The weather is just perfect for a walk outdoors!  57 degrees and no wind.  My friend was not able to walk.  She had helped with the election and had been on her feet from 4 pm until 2 am.  She's still recovering from a broken toe and was in pain.   So I picked up my camera and took a walk around the lake by my home.

I wonder if these guys will head south this year.  

The Farmer's Almanac says it is supposed to be a COLD and wet winter.

I saw several squirrels scampering about gathering nuts, presumably.

 This is my willow tree.  I feel like a kid when I get under the limbs!

A little hide 'n' seek!

 

This past week when Claire was here, she loved jumping in the leaves!

 

I decorated outside and inside a few weeks ago - I love fall decorations!

Some people are putting up their Christmas decorations but I won't until AFTER Thanksgiving!

It is my favorite holiday!