When I was in college, I took a class that focused on long distance running. The instructor, who ran with us every day and was very well known nationally in the “running world” would constantly tell us to get our eyes up and look forward so our energy would not be pointed down. Especially when we ran hills, He would say “get your eyes up, look up, that’s where you want your energy to go!” Where do you find your vision consumed by stuff in your life and in our world that is dragging you down? Today, God would gently turn our eyes upward to Him, in joyful anticipation! “Lift up your heads….that the King of glory may come in!”

When I was in college, I took a class that focused on long distance running. The instructor, who ran with us every day and was very well known nationally in the “running world” would constantly tell us to get our eyes up and look forward so our energy would not be pointed down. Especially when we ran hills, He would say “get your eyes up, look up, that’s where you want your energy to go!” Where do you find your vision consumed by stuff in your life and in our world that is dragging you down? Today, God would gently turn our eyes upward to Him, in joyful anticipation! “Lift up your heads….that the King of glory may come in!”

I found out a few weeks ago that my daughter, Sarah, is having twins. As I have shared this with people the response often has been one of joy but then is shortly followed by questions of concern….how will they do that?....having a two year old and then two babies besides? Miracles from God always bring change. What are we to do with this?

I found out a few weeks ago that my daughter, Sarah, is having twins. As I have shared this with people the response often has been one of joy but then is shortly followed by questions of concern….how will they do that?....having a two year old and then two babies besides? Miracles from God always bring change. What are we to do with this?

Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life…and have it to the full.” Today, as people who are returning to God, we explore what this life looks like and what it means. “Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come!” This is life the way it was meant to be! This is life at home, connected anew with God!

Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life…and have it to the full.” Today, as people who are returning to God, we explore what this life looks like and what it means. “Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come!” This is life the way it was meant to be! This is life at home, connected anew with God!

Thanksgiving Eve Service 2015

Thanksgiving Eve Service 2015

About a month after my wife, Jane, died, I found a note from her on a half sheet of paper stuck under the lamp on my desk at home. It said, “Brad, no matter what, I love you.” I don’t know why she wrote it or when she put it there, but there it was. Even now I tear up thinking about it. I put it in a frame and even so the ink is gradually fading…but I will never forget. Today, we focus on God’s note to us. He too calls us by name and says, “no matter what, I love you.” “No matter what you have done –or not done – I love you. No matter what you have to live through, no matter what it seems like, I love you. Yes, no matter what, I love you.” But the ink He writes with will never fade. It is the blood of Jesus. Here, in God’s love, is finally where our journey takes us. Welcome home.

About a month after my wife, Jane, died, I found a note from her on a half sheet of paper stuck under the lamp on my desk at home. It said, “Brad, no matter what, I love you.” I don’t know why she wrote it or when she put it there, but there it was. Even now I tear up thinking about it. I put it in a frame and even so the ink is gradually fading…but I will never forget. Today, we focus on God’s note to us. He too calls us by name and says, “no matter what, I love you.” “No matter what you have done –or not done – I love you. No matter what you have to live through, no matter what it seems like, I love you. Yes, no matter what, I love you.” But the ink He writes with will never fade. It is the blood of Jesus. Here, in God’s love, is finally where our journey takes us. Welcome home.