Christine and I enjoyed a rare opportunity last week to have lunch together, just the two of us. Besides the delight of simply being with her (I love the woman God has given me!), we got to have uninterrupted talk about our lives, some plans, and recent spiritual thoughts. Refreshing.

One point of our conversation that stuck with me over the week is how too often people are given an easy, almost rosy picture of what it means to give your life to Jesus Christ.  Truth is, life is hard, and even harder as a Christian. Don't get me wrong, life with Jesus is infinitely better than life without Him, and I'd have it no other way than to be with Him . . . but it is hard. At the least, just reckon with these things Jesus so clearly taught us:

• In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world! (John 16:33)

• The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

• If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

Think about it. It ultimately and practically benefits us to count the cost of following Jesus. Why else would Jesus have so plainly taught us this way? I can erroneously think that giving my life to Jesus will cure all problems and pain, but the truth is that problems and pain remain. However, both the hope and the big difference is we now have a personal Guide taking our hand and walking us through it all. 

We don't do ourselves or anyone else any good by telling them "come to Jesus and all your problems will go away." Remember that Jesus carried and died on a cross. The model is that it will be hard and a total sacrifice. But the joy is that we are never alone, never forsaken, and always loved and empowered more deeply than any other possible way you could imagine!

Age 4- Kindergarten

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1st - 4th Grades

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