My Favorite Travel Gear (part 2)

Picking up where I left off last post, let me share a few recommendations for great travel clothing. One of the most important principles in packing for travel is to get as much versatility in as little space and as little weight as possible. For this reason, I have become a huge fan of all things synthetic. Clothing made from polyester, nylon or any synthetic blend of fibers will weigh less and often be less bulky than cotton pieces. Synthetic clothing also offers protection from cold without being as thick and stuffy as wool; it allows your skin to breath while keeping you comfortable. Finally, synthetic apparel dries much quicker than cotton or wool items, making it possible to do laundry in the sink or shower, thereby needing to pack less clothing. Trust me, synthetic is super!

Now, here are a few items that I find especially useful in my international travels. If you have some last-minute Christmas shopping to do, let me offer these suggestions.

1. Convertible Pants. I can't say enough how much I love these. Never again will you struggle with figuring out your pants-to-shorts ratio. These pants allow you the ultimate versatility. I have worn the same pair of pants in 40F mist in Scotland and 90F sunshine in southern Italy, and they kept me comfortable in both places. They are especially helpful in places where shorts are not considered appropriate, like when visiting religious sites or conservative regions. Personally, I often have to wear the leg coverings while in villages, but then I'm able to zip them off whenever I get into the cab or bus (frequenty NOT air conditioned).  Sometimes little tricks like this make a big difference in surviving and thriving in the travel experience. Fortunately, you don't have to spend too much to get a good pair of convertibles. Academy will often have them for as little as $20, but if you want to invest a little more, check out these from Ex Officio. They are insect repellant through 70 washings!

2. Light shirts. Even when I'm traveling in a little cooler area, I like to have a few light mesh shirts for layering. I'll use these as a base layer under a good fleece or light jacket. For instance, Adidas makes a nice, light mesh tee that is comfortable and affordable. For something a little more versatile, I like this shirt from Ex Officio. It carries the convertible idea over to a long sleeve shirt that has sleeve-shortening buttons and air vents. If you want a less expensive approach to the same idea, check out the Magellan brand at Academy. 

3. Fleece. If you will be in a cooler area, I definitely recommend you check out some fleeces. Now, this is one place I recommend you don't pinch pennies. There is a noticable difference in quality between some of the lesser brands. If you will be frequently travelling to cool climates, it will be to your advantage to check out these options from Mountain Hardwear. First, check out this pullover fleece. It's light enough to pack for those occasionally cool nights in the Meditteranean, but it will keep you comfortable on moderate fall days. I also love this fleece as an under-layer for icy mornings in the duck blind.  For something a little heavier, I really recommend this light jacket. It's just a bit heavier than the fleece, and can be worn over light mesh shirts or combined with a heavier outside coat for ultimate warmth. I wore this when hiking through a brisk rain in the Scottish Highlands, and it kept me warm despite the weather.

4. Footwear. Here's one place where we could look at a whole lot of options, depending on the trip. Of course, the idea is to pack as lightly as possible, so how do we accomplish that? Well, my starting point on any trip is a sturdy pair of sandals like these from Teva. These are comfortable enough for the beach, tough enough for hiking ancient sites, and small enough to fit in the bottom of a backpack. I don't go anywhere without these sandals. Something like this is especially helpful in cultures where you take off your shoes at the door. If you know you'll be doing quite a lot of hiking, I would point you to anything made by Merrell. While not the cheapest option, these shoes and boots are renowned for comfort and quality.  For our trip to Europe, we knew we'd be hiking some decent "day trails", including one 9 miler. I also wanted to buy a boot that I could "grow into" as I take on more hiking and backpacking trips. For this reason, I decided to spring for the Chameleon3 Mid tops. I couldn't be more pleased! I wore these for about 15-18 miles of hiking trails in 3 days, then I followed by wearing them all around Rome and Pompeii for several more miles. My feet, though tired, did not blister at all, and the boots proved to be quite versatile. In short, I'll be buying another pair IF these ever wear out (they have shown little wear in 9 months). While your trip will determine your footwear needs, these two options would be useful in most settings.

So, that's the basics for clothing. Let me know if you have any other recommendations for travel apparel.

My favorite travel gear (Part 1)

As mentioned in the previous post, I've had the privilege to hop around the globe a bit, especially this past summer.  One thing that I alluded to in my Top Five Travel Tips was the importance of having good gear.  Now, "gear" can include a whole variety of stuff, depending on the type of trip one takes. For the next few posts, I will share some of my favorite travel tools, attire and baggage, along with the general settings in which I found them useful.

One of my very favorite travel tools is my iPhone.  Here's why: it contains more helpful travel tools in a 4 inch x 2 inch package than I could carry in my backpack.  For keeping travel itinerary and reservations handy, I simply built an email file of all my confirmation messages, ready to go at a moments notice. No shuffling with paper, just tap and point.  To communicate with villagers in Cambodia, I just utilized my "I Speak Khmer" app. To figure out if I was getting a deal or getting ripped off in the market, I just opened up my currency exchange app.  I was able to keep in constant contact with folks back home through email, facebook, and my latest favorite app HeyTell.  In fact, with the latter I was able to talk to my wife almost every morning while in India, free of charge.

Now, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to traveling with an iPhone. 1) You need an international data plan.  These can be purchased at varying levels from AT&T.  They're not too bad when you consider how useful it can be. 2) You need to follow all of AT&T's directions for adjusting your phone's settings while abroad.  Warning: if you skip this, you could get a brutal phone bill. 3) iPhones are easily lifted by pickpockets.  If you will be traveling in cities, like pickpocket-capital Rome, be cautious how often you whip out your phone.  Everybody may have one over here, but it will attract a lot of attention overseas. Also, I chose to keep my phone in a hidden, zipped inner pocket inside a pocket in my pants.  Call me paranoid, but I do still have my iPhone!

Top 5 Travel Tips

This past summer has been one of the most rewarding (and weary-ing) of my life.  Between a European vacation to celebrate our 5 year anniversary and two separate service trips to Asia, I spent a total of 38 days out of the country.  Let me first say that, contrary to what is shown on cable tv, international travel often is not luxurious.  It does have its challenges.  At the same time, let me also say that knowing how to navigate the rigors of travel abroad absolutely has its rewards.  This little list is an introduction to help you start to think strategically about how to best navigate the travel experience.  I will dive into more detail in the coming posts.

Travel Tip #1 Keep Organized Plans

Much of this happens before you go.  Making travel and stay preparations are a huge part of any trip.  Even if your desire is to keep spontaneity as a core part of your experience, a little bit of planning will be necessary.  It is advisable, therefore, to keep copies of all reservations and travel documents, emergency phone numbers, as well as your atm or credit cards.  These should be in a secure location (preferably carried with you).  Let's face it, sometimes reservations don't make it into the computer. It sure is nice to be able to show proof of your arrangement.  Also, know your plans and review them before you go.  Planning on the front side of the trip means you don't have to think about it much once you are there.

Travel Tip #2 Pack Smart

Basic premise: If you pack it, you better be able to carry it.  Don't fall into the temptation of thinking that you need a separate outfit for every day of your trip.  You can have a much more enjoyable trip if you will pack the right kind of clothes/gear, especially things that are light, synthetic, and can be sink-washed and hung dry overnight.  Even if you are going to be traveling in "nicer" attire, you can still find ways to limit how much you bring.  Packing smart not only means less you carry, but it also means you pack expecting to have hiccups along the way.  Five days in Cambodia without luggage makes you rethink your carry-on strategy.  Simply put, if you can get away without checking any luggage, do that.  If you must check baggage, for size or restriction reasons, then make sure your carry on has everything you need to survive for a few days.

Travel Tip #3 Adjust to the Culture

Things are done differently around the world.  Get over it.  It may not be as efficient; it may not be as you are accustomed.  Gaining a better understanding of the cultures of the world is a part of the travel experience.  Rather than try to make things fit into your framework, why don't you try to understand the people you are visiting?  Remember, you are a guest visiting in someone else's neighborhood. At the end of the day you will probably still prefer your cultural attitude to many situations, but you will at least have been exposed to different practices and ways of thinking, which will make you more thoughtful as you view your world.

Travel Tip #4 Taste the Culture

While this is similar to the tip above, I think it merits specific mention.  Get out and eat some of the local cuisine.  Don't travel across an ocean and spend all your time at McDonalds and KFC (yes, they are in Southeast Asia).  Go eat at some reputable local places.  As you sample what the locals enjoy, you'll gain a better sense of connection with them and their community.  Many times you'll also be eating only the foods that are produced nearby, an experience that is unknown by most Americans who are used to finding whatever they want at their Supermarket.  One word of caution on this: be sure to take some Acidophilous pills to protect your digestive system from the new and unusual elements found in food in different parts of the world.

Travel Tip #5 Get Out of the City

I have been to London, Edinburgh, Rome, Phnom Penh, and Bangalore in the last three months.  You know what's remarkable?  That despite their obvious differences, they are amazingly similar.  Cities are cities.  I am not advising you to miss the remarkable aspects and attractions that are offered in cities such as these.  Things like the British Museum and the Roman Colosseum shouldn't be missed!  But, I would urge everyone to experience life outside these cities, in the towns and villages that are often overlooked by travellers.  These are the places where you really get a taste of the uniqueness of a culture, and where you see life through a different pair of lenses.  Only off the beaten path will you really find "the best fish and chips in the UK," or will you get to see farmers planting rice fields or harvesting sugar cane.  Only out there will you come across the best iced coffee you've ever had, or get to see border collies "work the sheep."

Delphi

Our final stop on this trip was to Delphi, Greece, home to one of the most significant artifacts in New Testament studies.  But we'll get to that in a moment.  First, in the above picuture we are standing in front of the famous Temple of Apollo for which the city was known in antiquity.  Delphi was also home to the Pythian Games, one of the four panhellenic games held in ancient Greece.  Below is a picture of the stadium, which sat high above the rest of the city on the mountain.  It is estimated that this stadium could hold over 6,000 spectators to view the games.

What made Delphi truly a special stop to me, and what makes it a significant location in New Testament studies is its claim as home to the Gallio Inscription.  This particular artifact establishes the date when Paul was in Corinth on his second missionary journey, and gives us a likely framework for dating all of Paul's ministry! I'll explain this in detail below, but first let's have a moment to stare in awe at the famed Gallio Inscription.

Ok, this inscription was  written by Emperor Claudius and placed at the wall near the Temple of Apollo.  It is dated according to the year of the Emperor's reign, which we can figure to be between AD 52 and January 53.  Further events indicated help us narrow the time period down even more to no later than August AD 52.  This inscription also mentions Gallio, Proconsul of Achaia.  This provides us another clue, for proconsuls served a one year term, from July 1- June 30 before being replaced, often being recalled back to Rome.  Based on this information, we can deduce with a high degree of certainty that Gallio was Proconsul of Corinth from July 51- June 52.  So why does this matter?

In Acts 18:12, Paul is taken before Gallio, Proconsul of Achaia by the Jews for preaching the Gospel.  We know, therefore, that Paul, having spent 18 months in Corinth, appeared before Gallio between AD 51-52.  This is the linchpin in dating all of Paul's ministry.  And I could have touched it!

Corinth

 (Street in ancient Corinth with shops on each side.)

Near the end of our trip, we finally arrived at one of my most anticipated sites: Corinth.  Paul had more known dealings with this city than any other, having lived there 1.5 years, visited at least twice more, and writing at least 4 letters to the church at Corinth.  (Our books of 1 and 2 Corinthians are actually the 2nd and 4th letters. The first and third letters are lost to history.)  Corinth was also a booming metropolis in the first century with a massive commerce industry and a notorious reputation as the Sin City of antiquity. A temple was built for the Greek goddess Aphrodite in Corinth, and unbelievable perversity was offered as worship to her. An example of the city's wealth can be seen below in the exquisite mosaic that was originally on the floor of a wealthy Corinthian's dining room.  This can be dated to very near the time of Paul.

One of the reasons Corinth attained so much wealth was its strategic location.  It was built on an isthmus, and had harbors on both sides of the city.  Cargo from ships would be loaded onto a rail system on the east, taxed by the city, and rolled to the west where it would be loaded on another ship, saving sailors days or even weeks on the sea.  Though it was tried many times throughout history, in the late 19th century a canal was built that linked the two sides.  The canal is approximately 1.5 miles long.

We know that while he was in Corinth, Paul worked for a time as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla.  It is likely that they had a shop in the local agora.  The partially reconstructed shop below gives an idea of what Paul's tent shop may have looked like.

We also know that Paul first went to the Jewish synagogue in Corinth to preach the message about Jesus.  For some time, archaeologists questioned if there actually was a Jewish synagogue in the city.  With the discovery of this stone, however, all doubts were laid to rest.  Though it is not easy to read, the upper stone reads "goge (H)ebr..."  in Greek.  While there are letters missing due to the break in the stone, there is no question what is being mentioned.  Also, notice the menorahs on the stone below.

Here is Dr. Vang teaching about when Paul was taken by the Jews before Gallio, the proconsul of Corinth. This account is recorded in Acts 18:12-17.  In a legal dispute, offended parties would take a defendant to the Proconsul, an official appointed by Rome for a one year term, from July 1- June 30.  The Proconsul would sit on the "Bema" seat of judgement.  This one event provides New Testament scholars the foundation for dating all of Paul's travels and ministry.  More on that in the next post.

One other "rock of interest" is this stone.  It was a marker outside the Corinthian theater which mentions of the patrons who financially supported the construction efforts, a man named "Erastus."  He was, undoubtedly, one of the most important and wealthy men of the city to have overseen such a significant project.  It should also be noted that as Paul closes his letter to the Romans, a letter he wrote from Corinth, he mentions in Rom. 16:23, "Erastus, the city treasurer and our brother Quartus greet you."  It is highly likely that this is the same person, one of our Christian brothers.

Athens (part 2)

(The Parthenon and Mars Hill as viewed from the ancient city of Athens)

After touring the Parthenon and Mars Hill, we got to go down to the ruins of the ancient city of Athens.  While the site itself is not as impressive as Ephesus, one does get a better picture of the Roman times by the restored stoa (strip mall) in the midst of the Athenian ruins. 

Here is an impressive view from inside the reconstructed stoa. Little shops would be set up to the right of the photo, just past the columns in single-room arrangements.  If you have been to a Middle East bizarre, you get the idea.

Here are the original remains of the other stoa.  Though Athens was not the only city that had three stoas in its agora (marketplace), it does indicate the city's wealth and size in the early Roman period.

While we know that Athens was advanced, many of us rarely realize just how advanced the Greco-Roman cities were.  Here we see the relics of the underground sewer system.

This is one of the temples for the pagan gods referenced in Acts 17.  In particular, this is the Temple of Hephaestus, the Greek god of technology, craftsmanship, and blacksmiths.

Me and my long lost brother.

I just have to share my useless trivia on this.  This sign obviously is an exit sign, but the Greek word for "exit" written above is exodus, which explains how the book of Exodus got its name.  But that's not all.  Not only does this word have biblical significance, but it also serves to give us an insight into how literal the Greek language can be.  Translated literally, the work actually means "the road (or path) out."

Athens (part 1)

First, let me say that I'm glad we took this trip last year considering the current situation in Athens.  Second, I must also say that I was rather disappointed with the condition of the city.  Not only was it dirty, but an abundance of graffiti really countered the mystique of the ancient city.  That being said, the ruins and sites of ancient Athens were amazing!

One of the first places that we went to was the agora or downtown of ancient Athens.  This area once contained 3 large stoas, or shop buildings (think strip mall; a reconstructed stoa can be partially seen on the right edge of the picture with a large red roof.), a large enclosed auditorium, and monuments to the 12 recognized gods.  It was here that we read about Paul finding an altar devoted "to the unknown god," and being compelled to go and preach to the philosophers of the city.

After stirring up the crowd of Athenians in the agora, Paul was taken up to the Areopagus, also known as Mars Hill.  It was on this hill overlooking ancient Athens that the key philosophers of the day would gather and discuss thoughts on life.  It was on this very place that Paul gave this well-reasoned explanation of Gospel, evangelically engaging the leading philosophers of his day.

(Mars Hill viewed from the Parthenon)

 

The two of us on top of Mars Hill with the ancient city of Athens below.

In the footsteps of Paul...

Next time we'll include our pictures of the Parthenon and a few other shots from the ancient Athenian agora.

Santorini (expanded)

The final Greek Island we stopped at on our cruise across the Mediterranean was the gem: Santorini.  This tiny island has no biblical significance, but it was one of our favorite locales on the entire trip.  As we approached the harbor, we saw what appeared to be snow caps on top of the cliffs. 

As we grew closer, however, we recognized that we were not gazing upon snow, but on the picturesque settlement that seemed to gracefully sit atop the rocky island like frosting on a cupcake.  Many of the uniformly colored white buildings were adorned with bright blue roofs, making every little shop and structure look like works of art.

To get up to the serene settlement, we first had to climb nearly 700 feet to the top.  We followed the winding pathway pictured below, ascending 660 steps in the process.  It may look glamorous or romantic, but what you cannot experience from the picture is the smell of the donkey droppings all along the path.  Yes, it is cheaper to walk than to ride, but it's not without a cost!

Here was the reason for the smell.  On our way back down, one donkey was coming up and tried to run me over.  I stuck him in the eye with a forearm.  He moved over.
 

We finally made it to the top.  Yes, it was worth it!

This is probably the most beautiful picture of the whole trip.  This church had a blue-domed roof just about the same color as the sky.  In Athens, I happened upon some small canvas prints of this same chapel; one is in my office.  It continues to inspire me.

After our long journey to the top of the island and a bit of touring, we decided we were overdue for a snack, so we headed off to find a crepe shop.  It took a little bit of asking, but eventually we found two side by side.  We chose this one.

Fresh, warm crepes...sitting under a blue sky...on Santorini...yeah, we enjoyed ourselves!

Easter Gift

This morning we had our annual Good Friday Service for the community around our church.  It's one of our most special Easter traditions, beginning with an always-captivating worship service and culminating in "The Marketplace," a bizaare-like setting where our neighbors can shop for a wide variety of specialty food items and other goodies.  The whole event is always a lot of fun, but the most special gift I received came through an unexpected friendship.

We began the day by baptizing two gentlemen who had recently committed their lives to Christ.  One of these, Mr. Zachary, was an 80 year old African-American with only a single tooth on the bottom, but he swore he didn't feel a day over 20.  My job was to prep these men for baptism, so we began talking about their backgrounds and their conversion.  In the course of our conversation, Mr. Zachary shared how he had grown up walking or riding a wagon a couple miles to church each week.  For them, "church" was not simply an hour long service; it was an all-day event.  Services were held for several hours in the morning, followed by a potluck lunch on the grounds and a time of relaxing, and concluding with several hours of evening service.  He talked about how "everyone got along back then..."

I ended up staying with Mr. Zachary for the whole morning, worshipping with him after the baptism and helping him carry his bags as he shopped.  Every few minutes he stopped to tell me how much he appreciated our church, my help, and everything else he could think of.  When it was over, I gave him a ride back to his little house.  As he got out and I unloaded his groceries from the truck, he again thanked me profusely.  I shook his hand and assured him that it was truly my pleasure to meet him and to spend the morning with him.

As I drove off, I was overwhelmed by the paradox of our relationship.  He was an older man from a by-gone era; certainly in his lifetime he has witnessed atrocities and pain that I will never know.  He lived through the days of "Whites Only" and the struggle for Civil Rights, while I have merely read of these in history books.  Though his basic needs are provided, he has certainly not known the affluence that I have been afforded.  Yet, because of the work of Christ, he and I are brothers, sharing both the hope and the inheritance that became available when the tomb was emptied. 

"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..."  Ephesians 2:14

Oops!

Ok, here is our account of one unforgettable wrong turn on our trip.  After our lunch in the Rhodes courtyard, we then headed out to the beach for a little nap.  (Pictures to come).

After a little bit, I woke up and started looking around.  About 30 yards away, something just caught my attention.  I noticed a rather rotund, shirt-less older person sitting down, talking to another senior.  I was still a little groggy from my nap, but something in my mind kept on going off.  Suddenly it hit me: the older dude was not a dude, but a lady!  I'd been looking at a topless, obese geriatric woman!!  "Ohh, my eyes!"

Needless to say, Rebekah and I got off that beach as fast as we could.  But the damage had already been done.  I will forever bear on my mind visual proof that topless beaches, regardless of what seventh-grade boys may think, are a BAD idea.

Rhodes

From Crete, we once again boarded the Aquamarine and set out for Rhodes.  Previously I alluded to the deficiencies of the ship; let me explain.  Built in 1971, the ship's fresh paint could hardly mask its age.  While we have all seen pictures of contemporary luxury cruise ships, with their endless amenities and laissez-faire attitude, this particular craft betrayed its age with a swimming pool so tiny no one dared to get in, an exercise room that was clearly in a converted closet, and more rules than a seventh grade classroom.  Though breakfast and lunch were open for leisure, dinner reservations were to be made for either 6 or 8, with the doors to the dining hall shutting precisely at one past the appointed hour.  In light of this, our group promptly renamed the boat the Shawshank Cruise.

Despite the many rules, we did still manage to have fun on the ship. 

Discussing theology with The PROF: Dr. Preben Vang.

Once we landed at Rhodes, we were free to enjoy the afternoon by ourselves. Though it has no significance for New Testament studies, we found Rhodes to be a great tourist stop.Rebekah and I enjoyed strolling through the alleys and peeking in the little shops along the way. 

Eventually, we came to an open courtyard with balcony restaurants on every side.  Each restaurant had a barker trying to persuade passers-by to come and dine at their finest table. 

How could we resist?  It was truly a marvelous lunch, overlooking a timeless courtyard from a shaded balcony somewhere in the Mediterranean. 

Ok, I know I promised to tell of our notorious adventure on Rhodes in this post, but I've had too much else to cover.  Check back on Tuesday afternoon for our big "Oops" moment of the trip.

Crete

Resuming my series from our tour of Greece and Turkey last summer, we will pick up immediately after our tour of Patmos.  From there the P.O.C. Aquamarine set out west to Crete.  Though we did not see any biblical sites in Crete, the island does show up in the New Testament a few times.  The book of Titus was written to one of Paul's companions, a man who was serving on the island of Crete.  Also, Paul's extra-biblical Fourth Missionary journey may have included a stop in Crete. 

What we did see in Crete was the archaelogical remains of the Minoan civilization.  This Kingdom was from the same time as Abraham (2100 BC), and was extremely advanced. Notice how the columns above are wider at the top and smaller at the bottom.  This was not only unusual, but an impressive engineering feat at the time.  Also, below is a picture of part of their plumbing system.  Believe it or not, 2000 before Christ there were some with indoor plumbing! 

Oh, this picture needs to be explained.  The whole cruise ship basically breaks up into tour groups to see the site.  We each have guides who hold up our sign, so that we won't get lost.  That's right, we're international travelers, and they treat us like we're in Kindergarten.  Well, our guide was moving exceptionally slow, allowing a lot of other groups to pass us on the way to the site.  Rebekah and I discussed the matter and agreed that I should confiscate the sign and lead at a more progressive pace.  Sometimes you just have to takeover.

Below is a picture of the Minoan throne room.  On the left side of the picture is the actual throne of a 21st Century BC king.  I think I'd prefer the seat of 21st Century AD average joe.

Our next stop on this blog journey will be Rhodes! Check back for some great pics, and one unforgettable wrong turn!

What We Need

Forgiveness.

I need it.  You do, too.  And so does everybody else.

I was reminded of this recently while watching Tiger Woods apologize for his unfaithfulness to his wife.  His recent fall is certainly tragic, but I found his apology to be particularly heartbreaking, not so much for what he said, but for what he did not say.  He did own up to his mistakes; he did take responsibility for his actions.  He very clearly recognized that his choices had hurt others, showing a thoughtfulness and concern for others that seemed sincere.  He apologized.  He said, "I'm sorry."  But he did not ask for forgiveness.

By omitting this request, Woods gives us a peak into the mentality of most world religions.  Most of the major faith systems teach that sins or immorality must be countered or neutralized by good deeds.  The idea is that our positive moral behavior must outweigh our negative moral behavior.  While there is certainly some appeal to this sort of thought, an honest search inside our own souls must certainly reveal the depth of our own depravity.  Even our good deeds are often tarnished by impure motives. I know that I often act honorably with selfish intent.  So, is it really wise to trust in our own righteous acts? 

Another question to ponder is this: Does such a model actually take seriously the damage that is done by moral wrongdoing?  Or does it instead brush over the seriousness of the offense?  Suppose a murderer spends the remainder of his life saving others.  Can he really overcome the guilt of having taken a life?  Will the thousands of lives he saves remove the pain, sorrow, and loss suffered by the family of his victim?

Tiger appealed to the passage of time covering his mistakes.  He acknowledged that many people had believed in him, and he asked that they "find room in (their) hearts to one day believe in me again."  Of course, the old saying is that time heals all wounds.  But how true is that?  With the passage of time, we do often see that some offenses were exaggerated, or perhaps were merely accidental.  Yet, we must also recognize that many wounds only fester and grow with the passage of time.  Time may give perspective, but it does not provide healing.

Ultimately, I believe we must all recognize the unblunted seriousness of our own moral failures, the damage caused by them, and come to accept that we can never undo the pain that we cause.  Our only hope is to offer ourselves to the Judge, to receive our due punishment, to come face to face with the consequences of our actions, to take on forever the penalty of our sins...

And then receive the forgiveness available.  Only when we go through the dark depth of our just desserts do we realize the beauty of forgiveness, the one thing that we all need more than air.

Return of the Shoveler

Ok, after several months off, it's time to get back in the groove. I've got several posts ahead that are long overdue, including the rest of our Turkey/ Greece pictures with commentary. Along with these, we will continue our ongoing quest to dig through some meaty topics and, hopefully, progress on our journey forward.

Before we get there, I sense a need to explain my long absence. While I could lay out a number of tired excuses or laundry lists of the past few months' activities, my silence can essentially be attributed to the convergence of two recent factors:

1. First, I have been preoccupied with proofreading my wife's Ph.D. dissertation, leaving me little time to develop any substantial thoughts of my own.

2. Second, I also succumbed to peer pressure and got an iPhone. I now no longer need to sit down at a computer, as I have one on my hip at all times. Unfortunately, the iPhone does not inspire one to write thoughtful, developed blogs. It mainly keeps me obsessed with the Tyranny of the Urgent. And occasional theories on LOST...