A Light in the Darkness

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35 ESV             The term “Faith Family” is not one to be used lightly because it refers to a reality of the body of Christ. By his blood we are joined with a powerful bond, one which Jesus Himself says is greater than the bond of familial blood. The blood of Christ runs thicker than any strain of earthly blood. In part this is a reflection of the commitment each Christian has made to Christ which is above and before all others. This is made clear in Luke 14:26-27 with explicit reference to familial ties and commitment: which we ought to

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV             The overt meaning and intention of this verse has behind it a few important implications which setup the overt command. Sadly we can no longer take these implications of verses like this for granted. No, not even the mention of father and mother which implies a man and a woman joined in covenant marriage each with a respective role to play in the household and in the upbringing of the children. The family was the first social structure God introduced, and He built it on the union of one man and one woman in covenant. The implication of this verse is that the one man one woman marriage structure is beneficial for the children. As much as non-believers would like to dismiss this truth even their research continues to bear it out; as does real world experience.             This verse also

            There are many places which we might think worthless. Generic buildings repeated over and over again in every town signifying nothing important or special to society at large; or small preserves of nature lacking anything extraordinary to the perception of the community as a whole, these might be done away with and nothing would be lost. So we think as we gaze on another box of concrete, steel, and glass set in a sea of pavement, or a little vacant lot tucked away between the more noteworthy spaces. These offer us no great historical significance, no architectural or natural wonders, no unique opportunities of any kind: so we think. Thus, we destroy these places and spaces without a second thought, anticipating that the next occupying structure will be more worthy than the last. We see only gain, but in truth each time we remove and rebuild we lose something irreplaceable.             Every place is special, not because of its features or its purpose, but because of w

He imagines walking out the door and finding something entirely different on the other side. He imagines brick lanes devoid of the automotive monsters which plague him so, instead occupied only by foot traffic. He can almost hear the gentle noises of each step blending together into pattering easily pressed away into the background. He can nearly feel the humanity moving around him hurried by the rain and the cold of a winter’s evening. He can see the faint yellow light of the lamps pressing back fruitlessly against the gloom. From doors and windows comes the warm glow of life, the sound of which occasionally comes through as one door is opened. He dreams of turning into a particular inviting storefront, greeted by familiar faces and welcoming voices. He imagines the owner knows his name, that the waiter knows him well. He thinks of making small talk as he is shown to a cozy spot, greeting others along his way. He thinks of the waiter asking if he will have his usual, and of answer