Prepare the Way

“You will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” Luke 1:76b-77

Even before he was born, John the Baptist’s role was prophesied by his father Zacharias. I suppose many fathers have expectations of their sons. I have a picture I took of my oldest son sitting in my favorite chair with a Christian-themed book open on his lap. Oh, and he was 10 months old at the time. It was all meant in fun, but I’m certain another dad might have his son pose with a football, or a hammer, or a computer mouse. Yes, we fathers have high hopes for our sons. And every parent expects great things from each of their children.

Changed by Love

Changed by Love

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

There is a reason we do not use our best china for every meal. In our house it was because we had just one set, it was an heirloom, and Mom knew that eventually we would chip or break nearly every piece of that set. (I know, I asked her several times as a kid while stabbing green beans off a melmac plate.) Alright, for those born after 1975, “Melmac” was molded dinnerware that looked like hard plastic. (It had nothing to do with “Alf’s” home planet).

Bringing Us Back

“We each must die and disappear like water poured out on the ground. But God doesn’t take our lives. Instead, he figures out ways of bringing us back when we run away.” 2 Samuel 4:14

I had a wonderful conversation with a fellow minister this week, and we found ourselves asking some of the same questions. Though between us I suppose we have over 50 years of evangelical history, we both have discovered a bit of freedom to admit we don’t understand everything about God, including some primary doctrines.