Day 03 - Hot Air Balloon Ride, Aphrodisias

Before the sun kissed the earth we rose to greet her in the air. Excitement, fear and awe filled our balloon's basket. We soared above the ruins of Hieropolis, the calcium bicarbonate cliffs and pools shining in the morning light. What an awesome way to start the day!

Next we visited Aphrodisias to get a better understanding of imagery in the early days of Christianity. This city was known for its prestigious sculpting school. A lot of marble in the area supported it's endeavors. 

The colonnade here was three stories high. Each level contained many depicted acts and accomplishments  of Roman rulers and gods. Pastor Chad preached that Ephesians 2:10 was written to counter this propaganda.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

In the theatre on site we meditated on the hypocrite-an actor who puts on costumes and then puts on another countered by Jesus who said to put off the old self and put on the new self we are to be in Christ.

The main message today hit home in the largest known Roman stadium. As we imagined four-horse chariot races, gladiators and screaming crowds, Paul's words in Hebrews 12:2 took on new meaning.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”