Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its parts form one body, so it is with Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12)

Monday morning has dawned bright and clear, and my devotional reading reminds me that, while I enjoy talking about everything going on at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, our life here is defined by many varied aspects.

One is the constant of redemption, renovation, restoration, reinvention, and renewal. In a recent post I wrote about Rebekah’s repurposing of an old door (she’s making a unique coat-rack for her office).

This image shows Rebekah working on her office coffee table. It’s a massive slab of reclaimed wood that she’s cleaning up and placing on a couple of salvaged concrete pillars. I’ll show you the entire office when it’s done, but for now it’s the process of reinvention that’s fascinating me, both architecturally and theologically.

LEARNING: Moving on, I took the next photograph at my adult Christian Education class Sunday morning. I’ve included it because I want to point out that this renovation, restoration, reinvention, and renewal business works both ways.

It’s easy to talk about a new pastor coming in and helping a church. But – truth be told – the reinvention equation is an active, living process that works the miracle of grace in all who are open to God’s spirit of redemption. Rebekah and I are being renewed too.

So, when Rebekah preached Sunday morning about God’s new agenda, she was talking about us too, about how God works reinvention and challenge into every new morning here at Maul Hall. The name of the class I’m helping to lead with Marv Baker is The Daily Walk, and I’m grateful to be walking with such a positive group of Jesus followers.

COAT RACK: Then there’s the coat rack by our front door. I like this image because it represents the fact that we’re here; we’re North Carolina people who have a coat rack by the front door, not for decoration but because those coats and hats and scarves and gloves are a necessary part of life here.

I love the fact that we had a roaring fire in the fireplace yesterday evening, that we need extra covers on the bed at night, and that a hot cup of tea tastes even better when your hands are cold to begin with.

I love that I can wear a sweater to church! I enjoy wrapping myself in my big coat, jamming a wooly hat over my ears, and walking the dog with gloves on.

Most of all I’m extremely happy to know that Rebekah and I are taking a new journey of redemption, renovation, restoration, reinvention, and renewal – right along with the faith community she has been called to serve.

In love, and because of love – DEREK