Euchre...

Played some cards with Sarah and Dave Friday night. It was good to see them and spend some time with just them. Every time I've seen them since they were married a few years ago, it's been in a context with many other people. They stopped in on their way home from a long trip out east. And though they were really anxious to be home, they stayed for the night.

Becca, my niece is growing up. I guess most of them do that, but somehow I'm a bit startled by this. I guess it's because I don't see her daily that I notice that she shoots up about 4 feet every time I see her. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.

They were the last visitors for a while. The next big influx will be in August, when we will do a special service to dedicate Libby to God. It's a special thing in a family. As parents, we recognize that this little girl is a gift to us. She has been entrusted to our care by her Creator and we are responsible to Him for how we participate in shaping her into a Godly women. It's a very spiritual decision. The decision part is ours. But there will be spiritual ramifications for Libby, too.

Whether she realizes it or not, her dedication service is the first of what will be many markers on her journey to know and follow God through faith in Jesus. The faith in Jesus part is all hers. I can influence and pray and teach and model as best I can. But she's the one who will need to make that choice -- the choice of whether or not Jesus will be her master.

This weekend at the worship gathering, there is a special group in from an organization called Teen Challenge. They have over 150 sites throughout the world where teend and post-teens get help overcoming addictions and destructive habits. These are kids who have gone through some pretty hard core things too early in their lives. But in the community of Teen Challenge, they find freedom and grace. For over 85% of them, it's the beginning of a brand new life. There is no other program in the world which has that sort of success in helping people experience freedom.

It's a pretty powerful reminder of the freedom that Christ has given those who follow him. Not freedom through legalism and ritual. Not freedom that translates into license to do anything without cost. But freedom to be the people that God designed us to be -- to reflect His character.

Thank you, God, for the freedom you offer.

Peace,

Matt