The author of Proverbs 27:5 tells us “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” This Proverb reminds me of Jesus’ words in John 14. In John 14, Jesus is comforting his disciples about the upcoming arrest, illegal trial, and crucifixion that will ultimately lead to his resurrection and the redemption of mankind. Jesus states in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” He goes on to tell them that the Spirit of Truth will come and assist them in understanding and helping others to understand his requirements for his followers (John 14:16-17). Many of Jesus’ commands concerning behavior would stay the same or similar to the ones the Jews had kept for centuries.

In the last several years all three of my girls seemed to have fallen in love with volleyball. Volleyball has actually become one of my favorite sports to watch. If both teams are talented and have the right chemistry, the games can get intense and highly competitive. It is a game of momentum and a pretty high level of skill. To those who have never really paid attention it looks like just bumping the ball back and forth over a net, but to those who have spent time watching the right teams it is obvious that there is much more to it. There are those trained to bump or, at times, dig out, the hard hits of the other team. Others have practiced setting, or expertly lofting the ball into the perfect position for the third person, the hitter, to pound the ball to the other side in hopes that the other team cannot return it. When it is orchestrated perfectly it is an absolute thing of beauty: a work of art.

As I write this article I’m sitting at a tire garage. There are a few things you can always expect at a garage. Grease is abundant. Work tools and gadgets abound. And signs are everywhere. Some signs are printed and some are handwritten. I’ve read a few…and I’m sure they are all important messages…but there are so many that some of the messages get lost in the crowd. The signs are missed.

“Thank you” to borrow a line from a movie of my childhood is a “wonderful phrase.” It doesn’t mean “no worries for the rest of your days” but it sure helps. It can be used sarcastically as is the case with much of the English language but today I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

The devil is a great deceiver. In fact, Jesus said he was the “father of lies” who speaks from his own nature (John 8:44). In that same discussion he makes it clear that some of those standing there were doing the bidding for the devil because they were “of your father the devil” (44). Even today there are those who would deceive and there are those who would manipulate. It happens regarding religion but it also happens in everyday life.

It was just a picture. A picture, however, that sent a wave of emotion. It was a photo of Solomon’s Porch at Maywood unlike I had ever seen. The roof was gone and the demolition of this landmark of my life was underway. I’ve sang thousands of songs under that roof. I’ve spoken, listened, laughed, cried, repented, played, and studied under that roof. Ive been under that roof before the sun came up, while it was high in the sky, and long after it came down. I’ve seen kids be completely care free under it and I’ve seen kids share their greatest struggles under the comforting shelter it provided.

I come from the old school of preaching where I like to meet and greet folks in the back of the auditorium or in the foyer after services are over. For the most part I enjoy speaking to the men and women and children who have chosen to worship and fellowship with our congregation or whatever pulpit I happen to be visiting that particular service. Granted, there can be some personal encouragement that comes from the compliments one receives during that time, but it is more just to make sure everyone knows that I was happy to see them.

New things bring quite a bit of excitement to our lives. Emmie started school this past week, and each morning I am the designated chauffeur for her. On the way to school each morning, I let her pick out the songs we listen to. For the past month or so, Lynsey has gotten her really into the band, "For King and Country." It was no surprise when Emmie picked several songs from this band for our morning commute.

Some of our kids and teenagers have already begun the trek to school each morning and the rest will follow this week. Parents are packing lunches, battling car lines, and anticipating long nights of ball practice, games, and homework. The 2023-2024 school year is underway. As I commented last week, I know some are excited and others are apprehensive, but either way, it is here. I hope it is an amazing year for each and every one of our students.

Senior year can be stressful. You want to make the most of the time you have left with your friends and have a rich social life, but there are so many things that have to be done to prepare for college that life can begin to feel overwhelming. You’re worried you won’t make the right college decision or that you won’t enjoy your major.