Wow!! I know the Bible events are true. However, I have always had a disconnect between reality and what’s in the pages of the Bible. The ruins of the city of Ephesus brought the Bible alive. Our guide’s explanation of the city’s history and culture made the Bible stories real and vivid. It was like watching a 3D, maybe 4D movie. I, literally, walked where Paul and many of the church’s early fathers walked.  

Though now in ruins, one could tell the architecture had been amazing. The streets and buildings were made of marble. The various columns, buildings and statues told of a successful era. My mind traveled back to 2,000. I wondered what it meant being a citizen of Ephesus in those days. Revelation 2:1-6, “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesuswrite:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have testedthose who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstandfrom its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

I wondered what God would is saying to me today. Am I still in love with Jesus as before? Have I wandered away from the passion? What things have I allowed to pollute my faith? Am I compromising my faith to fit in? What do I need to repent of?  
On our way back to the cruise ship, we witnessed the creation of magnificent masterpieces of handmade rugs. The host was gracious and yet proud of his family business. We were offered drinks, included a small potent cup of Turkish coffee. It was so strong it grows hairs on one’s chest. The rugs were beautiful, depicting various cultures and backgrounds of the stylists. I could have bought a few save for the exorbitant price tags.  
We clocked 10,000 steps long before the end of the day. That took away my guilt as I dove into the steak and vegetables dinner meal. It was an early night for us. Tomorrow, we go to Rhodes, Greece.