An unforgettable kiss

A few weeks ago, I was getting ready to go to our annual church business meeting. I changed my clothes and brushed my teeth after dinner and was set to go out for the evening. I was about to give my wife a kiss goodbye when I decided to plant a real "memorable" one on her. With the kids giggling behind us, I pulled away and Robbin was laughing. She had just moments earlier put "teatree" oil on her lips and she asked how it tasted. Caught up in the moment, I said "it'll take a lot more than that to keep me away" and kissed her passionately once again. I skipped out the door, but by the time I put the key in the ignition the horrible aftertaste of teatree oil assaulted my mouth in full force. As I pulled out of the driveway, I hit the speed dial for home and when Robbin picked up I said into the cellphone, "Man, that teatree oil is potent stuff!!!". Robbin laughed, and I assured her that it was a small price to pay.

Now, that is just a silly little exchange between husband and wife, but don't underestimate the seemingly small stuff. I walked into the church, and while it was a fine, encouraging church business meeting, what do you really think my mind was on - my meeting or my mate?

Our lives are filled with the mundane day-to-day tasks - go to work, pick up the kids, help with homework, get supper, put kids to bed, etc. etc. Don't forget to break into the everyday routine with an exhilarating effort every once in a while. It doesn't have to be a big deal all the time, though that's nice too. Sometimes simplicity is sensational. I could have left with a simple kiss on the cheek, but those final moments of passion and fun flirting at the door with my wife had me on cloud nine for the whole evening. I couldn't wait to get back home and be with Robbin again, although I have to admit, I was hoping the teatree oil would wear off by then! Keep those homefires burning...

The Evangelists

I saw a headline the other day that read, "New Orleans Crusade Probably Graham's Last Sermon". This of course referred to well known evangelist Billy Graham and the declining state of his health. It was ironic that as I was reading this headline on crosswalk.com I could overhear my kids preaching one of their first sermons to a visiting friend.

They were all in my son's room playing "superheroes". They soon began to discuss the various merits of superman, batman, Luke Skywalker, and others. Finally my son said, "well, Jesus is stronger than anybody and he can do anything." Dawson's friend Silas seemed impressed, and agreed that God did trump the other superheroes. My 4 year old was in there as well. After trying in vain to contend that Dora the Explorer qualified as a superhero, Karsyn followed up Dawson's remark with this; "yeah, and did you know that Jesus died on a cross to forgive our sins so we could go to heaven?".

It really is a simple message, isn't it. So simple that humanity's intelligence so often gets in the way of figuring it out. As I eavesdropped on this wonderful exchange, I thought again of the great evangelist - Billy Graham. What successor to the evangelist could possibly have the impact on the world that he has had? Graham was quoted a number of years ago on the subject of a successor. He said, "I don't need a successor, only willing hands to accept the torch that I have been carrying, those who will present the gospel to a new generation,".

I heard 2 kids receive that torch into their hands the other day. My prayer is that this knowledge of Truth would grow in them and develop a passion to present the gospel to this new generation. I had a Bible College professor who's signature phrase to his students was "Keep Preaching!". Well, Dawson and Karsyn - keep preaching!