As I began to look around the service and identify people from my childhood and teenage years – a host of memories came flooding back; …church-workers meetings that would turn into late nights of popcorn and hide-and-seek for the kids, ...VBS, ...church camp, ...lake-side baptismal services. 

As children we didn’t know it at the time but we were a part of growing and developing not just “the church” an institution; but growing and developing “the Church” – men and women, boys and girls, who were brought together not just by commonly held beliefs but by our common relationship with our Savior. 

What we do in 2008, when we come together is so much more than just spending time with people to whom we are drawn.  We are brought together by a common bond, the Person of Jesus Christ.  In the community of “church” we learn how to grow, how to rejoice with each other, …to grieve with one another, and to live a life reflective of His touch, His power, His life, His purpose.

However don’t allow yourself to be deceived into thinking it should be easy – it is not an easy life – but- it is a Great Life!!!          

At one point in the middle of his efforts, he said something that resonated through my memory and instead of seeing this unknown little boy, I saw my son Jonathan at that stage of life.

This seems to happen more and more frequently - I will see children at church, at play, in the store, and remember my children at that age. When I arrive at the office on Saturdays and see the Saturday soccer games I am reminded of numerous Saturdays, spent watching multiple soccer games; and being so grateful for the one year when all three boys played on the same team together - and went undefeated I might add.

Our son Jonathan is serving in the U.S. Army and is currently deployed to Iraq. This is his second such deployment since his enlistment. Just before his outfit left the states in August, I traveled to Kentucky to bring some of his belongings home - and to say goodbye.

Jonathan has never feared deployment, in fact he was anxiously looking forward to it. My wife and I are satisfied that he is doing what we believe God has for him at this point in his life. We are confident that God knows exactly where Jonathan is and what he is doing - even though we may go through extended times of not hearing from him. And if the truth be known, it is far more important to me that God has His eye on Jonathan and is watching him - than that I know his exact whereabouts. That is true with all four of our children - each one has been dedicated to God and we trust Him to take care of what belongs to Him.

There was a moment when towards the end of our time together I saw the little boy - big brown eyes, dark curls, a missing front tooth and the ever present glasses... The handsome, strong, skilled soldier was gone, and for just a moment I was embracing my little boy.

To comment tegarding postings click here 

David is a very accurate picture of many maturing believers whose honest, true desire is to be close to God – a worshipper in truth; yet periodically the base nature of man is seen in the life decisions that are made.  Grace is centripetal in nature, it is what continues to pull us toward Him, and enable us to affect a “course change”.  Our journey of grace reminds me of the Apollo moon flight which was off course over 90% of the time – but it was always headed in the right direction.     

In the 18 months or so that I have been using this routine I have met some very interesting people in the sauna, and have even had the privilege, more than once, to share my faith in Christ, and to pray with several for different needs in their lives. The conversations usually get interesting when there is a realization that I am a minister.

 I have come to recognize these opportunities are really answers to my prayers; for I have prayed that God would give me opportunities to share what Jesus has done in my life, and what He means to me, with people who do not know Him, and may have negative thoughts and feelings toward Christianity.

  I guess you could say that the sauna proved to be an answer to my prayer - what a great life!