“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
Read the first two chapters of Ephesians and see what all God has done for us. I’ve been getting bad reports again from the doctor, but I just don’t think I’m going to worry about it. Susan is making me get an MRI because of some back pain, but I’m going to try to keep my mind on other things. We’re winding up school this week and our family’s busiest time of the year has arrived as summer camp begins, but I’m hoping to enjoy my work and trust God to help me do a good job.
I have every reason to praise God for this past school year. It started with bad news of cancer’s return, but God rescued me time and again. There were moments of pain, but there were many more moments of great joy. I’m grateful for another year to be a husband, a father, and a teacher. I’ve been able to be with friends here in Atlanta and I’ve been able to visit friends in far places. I’ve met new brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ and I’ve seen God’s tenderness to the poor and hurting.
When I read these chapters in Ephesians, I marvel that God chose to love me before the creation of the world! I am reminded, once again, that Jesus is everything. Without Him we have absolutely no hope. But in Christ, we have life, purpose, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, and the Holy Spirit. God lavishes His grace on us. I like the word, “lavish”. He does not withhold from His children. His salvation is an amazing gift. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” This gift makes me want to serve the Father all my days. I was once dead… now I’m alive. I once followed the ways of the world… now I see His Kingdom. I was once separate from Christ… now I am close to Him. He is the Good Shepherd who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death and whispers that we need not fear.
I want everyone to know this good King, the Prince of Peace, the Chosen One. He understands everything we will ever face on this earth and He delivers us from sin. We can’t even fathom what He did at the Cross to make the way for us to be part of His family. He gave everything out of love for us. And now He says, “You do the same.” I say, “But Lord, how can I love like You? How can I give myself away like You did?” “Have you given yourself to Me? Have you laid down your life at My feet? If you sincerely say, ‘Take my heart; take all of me,’ I will. I live in you! I will love through you. You will bear fruit through Me. And I will complete what I have started. Just keep trusting in Me.”
I usually don’t write these ‘journeys’ during the summer months, but if I receive news I need to pass along, I will. Thanks for your love and prayer. Keep your eyes on Jesus!
“… Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22