"Finally, they returned"

Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time. (Acts 14:26-28 NLT)

During the trip I was unable to access this blog page to share some thoughts along the way.  We are home, now.  I am guessing that the others are having the same difficulty that I am... So many thoughts and memories of what we saw and heard that it is difficult to narrow the focus to what can be shared in one or two sermons.

I suspect that is why Paul and Barnabus "stayed there with the believers for a long time."  So much to share.  While our trip wasn't like Paul's in that we were not taking the Gospel into unknown territory, we were going into places and cultures that were unfamiliar to most of us.  Like Paul we were witnesses to the great acts of God.  We met people whose courage and faith are on the line every day.  We met people for whom dependence upon God is not haphazard nor without consequence.  I was truly and deeply humbled many times, every day.

As I begin the precession of reflection upon it all, I realize that it will take many Sundays to share it all.

Paul and Barnabus didn't stay forever in Antioch.  They made many more trips, some to places they had already been, and some to new lands and people they had never been, taking others with them.  My hope and prayer is that those of us who made this journey will do the same.  That we will trust God to provide for us to return with others who will inturn return with others and in this way move the Kingdom of God to all people every where.

Thank you, Reid and Angela and the other members of the team for your time, care and fellowship.  Thank you, Ecumenical Church Family for prayers and support to make this trip possible.  Thank you Steve Van Ostran, and ABCRM for the invitation, and support to make this trip.
Grace and Peace in Jesus...
Bill Johnson