Opinion

How wonderful it is to see the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of a man here in the third chapter of John. This man was John the Baptist, and though his name is penned in the annals of God’s eternal record, he was a man with a nature like ours. He battled the wickedness of His own heart and the besetting sins that so easily entangled him. He wasn’t given some secret gift to escape his inward desires but fought daily to subdue them. There was even a moment where it seemed as if unbelief had risen in his heart. One day while he was awaiting execution in prison for confronting King Herod in his wickedness, not truly knowing what would happen to him, he began to contemplate the miracles he had witnessed concerning Jesus. He knew that he was the one sent to go before the Messiah and prepare the people’s hearts. There is no doubt that the moment he first saw Jesus that image was burned into his memory--Such things like this could never be forgotten. He had seen Jesus, he had touched Him, and he had heard the voice from heaven saying,

Several years ago, I cleaned up the kitchen after we decorated pumpkins. The older two children were off in their room playing, and Emerald was just hanging around under my feet as usual. She was my constant shadow back then. My mind was racing, thinking through everything I should have done that day and should be doing that night.

WOW! What an exhilarating day at the Center as we honored our veterans! People bedecked in various patterns of red, white, and blue or caps bearing the insignia of their branch of service streamed through our doors to be honored and thanked for their willingness to fight for America.