I don’t think people should criticize those who change professions or retire early or conclude that various obstacles in schools are overwhelming. Many teachers who have changed professions or retired or just stepped away from teaching for a season still use their gifts to influence the young. Those who continue to teach in schools should be praised for not giving up. Many parents gained a new appreciation for the job as the pandemic forced many changes and impacted most homes. We all know that the job must be done or we all suffer.

With two of our grandchildren now in Kindergarten and one in First Grade, Susan and I just want to know that our precious ones are loved, taught by those who really know how to teach, and have a chance to thrive in a healthy, safe environment. I can’t imagine the tragedies so many have endured these last decades as evil has targeted the young and innocent. Surely we can all pray for the children and parents in our nation.

Susan and I were involved deeply in John Turner’s life three days after he came into the world. He rode to school with me for ten years. He plans to leave this week to attend Indian Hills Community College to get a two year degree and wrestle in a small town in Iowa. So many people have had a role in John’s life over the years: family, church family, neighbors, coaches, teachers, and friends.

Last week, John drove from Alabama to visit a few days. Susan brought him to Greater Atlanta Christian School and he reconnected with several of his old teachers. They were all so happy to see him.

I said, “John, your music teacher, Dr. Hensley, not only prayed for you while you were her student, but has prayed for you ever since you moved to live with your mom and attend high school in a different state.”

When we popped into her room, Dr. Hensley was overjoyed. There was no pretense or fakery; John’s former teachers love and adore him. This is the love that changes the world. This is the love that never fails. This is the love that shows who God really is… Children are to be loved. Parents, church family, neighbors, coaches… and teachers are the Father’s instruments to reflect His true heart. May we all be faithful.

“Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud…. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4,8

Here’s an imagined conversation with Jesus regarding the crux of the matter:

Me: What was the big deal about circumcision?
Jesus: Circumcision was a huge point of division in the early church, and Paul was challenging those who were adding to the Gospel. ‘Believe in Me!’ was My message. ‘Righteousness is the gift of God to those who put their faith in Christ’ was the message of Paul. I fulfilled the Law… What matters is that you truly trust Me.

Me: So the object of this faith is You… What if someone says: ‘OK, I believe,’ then never does anything?
Jesus: Yes, I am the object of the faith that pleases God. I am the ‘life-giver.’ My brother James argued that ‘faith without works is dead,’ but isn’t that obvious? Faith in Me brings true life. The Holy Spirit is given to those who believe in Me. My Father pours His love into your hearts by His Spirit. This love is active… it is not dead.

Me: I would probably describe my walk as faithless most of the time. How can my faith be stronger?
Jesus: Come to Me! I am the Author and Perfecter of faith. When you are faithless, our Father is faithful; you are a part of Me and He cannot deny Himself. Trust Me; obey Me; follow Me; remain in Me. Don’t you remember the faith struggles of My apostles? I was their hope, just as I am your hope.

Me: I’d just like faith the size of a mustard seed so I could move mountains…
Jesus: Good… but without love, you are nothing. I trusted My Father and did mighty works, but all these works were an expression of His perfect love. God is love… and love is alive.

Me: I need Your help…
Jesus: Your life is in Me. Because I live, you live. I am in My Father. You are in Me. I am in you. You can rest in this fact: My life in you will express itself in love.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5

The Father, Son, and Spirit love unity and want all human beings, Jews and Gentiles, to enjoy the same ‘Oneness’ they experience. ‘Let them be one, Father, as You and I are one.’ (see John 17)

Man is incapable of bringing about such unity… it can only exist through the love of the Father, the sacrifice of the Son, and the work of the Holy Spirit. As we humble ourselves at the foot of the Cross we see our desperate situation. By God’s mercy, the Blood of Jesus was shed to bring our forgiveness and the Holy Spirit was poured out to be our Helper.

Now, in Christ, we have access to the Father. Whatever trouble we are in, whatever circumstance seems overwhelming, whatever care weighs us down… we have access to the Father. The Creator of the universe beckons us into His presence. If we understand this invitation, there will be no flippancy, no disrespect, and no arrogance. If men and women of old trembled in the presence of angels, how do we approach the One who created the angels?

The writer of Hebrews says to come with confidence. No matter what the situation, a son or daughter can come before a good parent knowing there is grace, mercy, provision, and sacrificial love. In Christ, we come to the Father believing nothing is impossible for the One who is above all. As children, we have access! “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1)

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

Noticing her size, Karlyn asked Maggie if she was a ‘flyer’ and the answer was ‘yes.’ She coaches high school and college teams in Texas and she and her husband own a gym in Tyler. She is well-qualified, having cheered at Baylor University and for the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Rockets.

I learned a lot from Maggie the week we were together. From our initial van ride through Catalonia, to daily work assignments, to welcoming kids the first day of camp, she did everything with excellence and enthusiasm. But Maggie’s ‘transparency’ impacted me most.

An ‘honest and real’ person stands out. When calling Nathaniel, Jesus said: “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” (John 1:47) What a compliment! I think Jesus would give a similar description to Maggie: “Here is one without pretense… who has found her identity in Me. Here is someone you can trust.”

Transparency produces transparency. Our group of thirty coaches and counselors were challenged by L’Arcada leaders to become a ‘team’ before the Spanish teenagers joined us. Physical work, team-building activities, time in God’s Word, eating all meals together, and occasions for fun and competition filled our days and nights. Each afternoon we met for coffee and snacks while five or six were invited to share testimonies and experiences with Jesus. I believe because people were willing to be ‘real’ with one another, God brought unity. Though there were vast differences among us, God’s Spirit bound us together in love.

Honesty and transparency lead to vulnerability, but Jesus intends such an atmosphere to exist within His Body. If C. S. Lewis was correct, Jesus expects us to be vulnerable. In his book ‘The Four Loves,’ Lewis wrote: “To love is to be vulnerable.” And of course Jesus said: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

“Full of grace and truth,” Jesus lived a vulnerable life of love. Knowing His message would not be understood, He revealed the kingdom of God. Knowing He would be persecuted, He healed on the Sabbath. Knowing He would be criticized, He ate with sinners. Knowing all would desert, one would deny, and one would betray Him, Jesus shared daily life with His twelve apostles. Knowing He would be killed, Jesus told who He really was… the Chosen King of kings.

Today the Lord encourages us: “You are not perfect, but I am… trust Me as I live in you. Love others by being ‘real’ with them. Live in Me, and I will bring fruit.”

“I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” II John 5-6

A few years ago I was asked to help as Terri Turner married Daniel LaCoste on a beautiful piece of property near the Gulf Coast in southern Alabama. Friends in attendance remembered the occasion and asked if I might be wiling to officiate another wedding. While rain forced us to move this past weekend’s event indoors, we had a great time as Charleigh and Trevor became husband and wife.

I shared four important ingredients in the relationship between Jesus and His Bride, the Church. These are good reminders:

• Faithfulness — Jesus is faithful to us and He calls us to be faithful to Him. Trust is critical for any relationship. This evening, you both are pledging before God and many witnesses to be totally committed to one another. Never let there be any question regarding your faithfulness.
• Communication — Jesus communicates to His Church. He gives us His written Word, the Bible, and He asks us to constantly listen to Him. He also wants to hear the desires of our hearts as we pray and honestly express our deepest thoughts. Communication must be ‘two-way’ for a marriage to thrive. Be willing to speak and be willing to listen.
• Sacrifice — Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for His Bride and He asks us to be willing to lay down our lives for one another. ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for Her…’ We are all in the habit of thinking mainly of ourselves, but in marriage, we must put the other first. Be willing to sacrifice.
• Love — ‘The greatest of these is love.’ God loved the world so much that He gave His Son to rescue us and invite us into relationship with Him. Jesus teaches us how to love one another. He is love and He lives in the hearts of those who put their faith in Him. Listen to Paul’s description of true love below, and daily put these words into practice. As you do, you will not only build a solid marriage, you will demonstrate God’s goodness to the world.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4-8