2025

God knows what’s fair and acts accordingly even when his judgement might seem wrong to us. Often, we think we know best even though our perspective is small and warped.

Jesus invites anyone who wants to join him, to join him. Although he asks some difficult things of us, it’s for our good, and he has no intention of rejecting us.

Running away from God is futile, but that’s a good thing since He wants what’s best for us. Part of life with Jesus is learning to be led where we would rather not go, believing that what God has in store for us is better than we can imagine.

Our independence is in many ways an illusion. We are dependent on others from our very first breaths. Ultimately, as we go through life,  we are dependent on God’s care. 

The world tells us a story about what is valuable. Animated by the enemy it can be a powerful force for deformation. In this story, Grandpa Paul recalls the torrent of emotion that followed losing his first girlfriend. His reflection reminds us of the importance of shared values and communication in relationships. 

Jesus says, “Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means loose his reward.”

We love to be first for one reason or another, but Jesus’ kingdom works differently. Again and again, Jesus had to teach his disciples that many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first. 

Jesus was an outsider. This means that those who feel alone in their life experiences can take comfort and even rejoice. They still have a friend. Third-Culture kids experience the world very differently than their peers who live in their home culture.
In this story, Grandpa Paul recalls a first attempt at returning to boarding school and the unique difficulties encountered along the way.

As Grandpa Paul recalls returning to boarding school when he left home and ventured into the unknown. Abraham was also called to leave what he had always known and to go to a new land. He obeyed when he was called by God and God called him his friend.

Love is a powerful thing that should be respected and cherished, and not something to play around with. The woman in the Song of Songs says, “I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” She also says, “Love is as strong as death…its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.”