Here are some pictures of my recent Europe trip, during which I learned much about God's revelation to man through the His creation and His Word. My goal was to gain a deeper understanding of and greater appreciation for the truths of the Bible. I learned about the false teachings that had been added by men and was inspired by the men who gave their lives to dispel them.
Luzern, Switzerland
View From Mount Pilatus, Switzerland
We began in Geneva, Switzerland where, in 1560, the first mechanically printed, mass-produced Bible was made directly available to the general public. The involvement of John Calvin and John Knox in the creation of the Geneva Bible made it especially appealing in Scotland, where a law was passed in 1579 requiring every household of sufficient means to buy a copy!
1602 Edition Geneva Bible
Wartburg Castle- Where Martin Luther hid while translating the Bible into the common language. He hid at the castle from May 1521 to March 1522 after having been taken there for his safety because of refusing to recant at the Diet of Worms. It was during this period that Luther, dubbed "Knight George", translated the New Testament into German, the first translation into a modern language in over a millennium.
"Luther's Room"
German Bible
Below is a thought-provoking obituary on a tombstone in in Holyrood Abbey on the grounds of Holyrood Palace (birthplace of King James & Home of Mary, Queen of Scots), Edinburgh.
I love that it addresses the "instability of earthly possessions and enjoyments...seek those riches which never can fail and those pleasures which are at God's right hand forevermore, the gracious gift of God to be enjoyed through faith in Jesus Christ, our Saviour."
We have an anchor that is not satisfied with merely coming to the waiting room, that is, is not content with merely earthly and visible goods, but we want to enter "within the veil", that is, to the Holy of Holies, where we lay hold on God Himself (Heavenly goods!), and fasten on them.
I love that it addresses the "instability of earthly possessions and enjoyments...seek those riches which never can fail and those pleasures which are at God's right hand forevermore, the gracious gift of God to be enjoyed through faith in Jesus Christ, our Saviour."
We have an anchor that is not satisfied with merely coming to the waiting room, that is, is not content with merely earthly and visible goods, but we want to enter "within the veil", that is, to the Holy of Holies, where we lay hold on God Himself (Heavenly goods!), and fasten on them.
Scotland
Deer Park in "The Grove", Magdalen College, Oxford, England
Magdalen College Chapel, Oxford, England
Magdalen is well-wooded with many beautiful large treesNext stop was London, England! A highlight was seeing the church where John Wesley preached his famous sermon "Salvation by Faith", the first to be published after his conversion, and prefered by him to the collection of his sermons.
...and home again. God is so faithful to reveal Himself wherever we are! Regardless of God's revelation to me, being in this sinful body and ever-changing world I so often fear "shipwreck". The only hope I have is in this: that if I cling to an anchor. If I know I'm fastened to an anchor that promises future glory...well, it will be worth in all...
Till that day when we see Christ let's remain anchored to the only One who is sure & steadfast!
"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world are those who thought the most of the next."
-C.S. Lewis
Till that day when we see Christ let's remain anchored to the only One who is sure & steadfast!
"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world are those who thought the most of the next."
-C.S. Lewis
