For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

It’s been a while since I featured photos of my grandchildren in one of my posts. Actually, what I’m really featuring is the “Good News” – the pictures of the grands simply help to tell the story.

First, Beks (13-months) appears to be interested in a career as an aviator. I have no idea, of course, what path she will eventually take; but I do know that absolutely anything is possible. Not because she lives in a culture where sexism is no longer at play (because that simply isn’t true); but because my granddaughter is – first – a child of God. When Beks fully understands that empowering and liberating fact, then there is literally nothing on Earth that can possibly hold her back!

You see, there’s a principle at play in living a life of faith that is often overlooked. If we believe that we are beings made/designed/formed in the image of our Creator, then a relationship with the Creator is the absolute best way to fully optimize our potential as human beings.

a relationship with the Creator is the absolute best way to fully optimize our potential as human beings.

I firmly believe that those who work to restrict opportunities for women (or any other “minority” group) are in effect attempting to work against God, as if God had made a mistake in equipping women – or anyone – with certain gifts, abilities, calling and leadership skills. God is so much greater, and more creative, than the prejudices and the limited imaginations of the religious – and secular – legalists.

God is so much greater, and more creative, than the prejudices and the limited imaginations of the religious – and secular – legalists.

VROOM VROOM! Another image that popped up yesterday was this one of David (two-and-a-half). He managed to buckle himself in at a rest stop in New Jersey. We’re not sure exactly what he was planning to do next!

David, like his sister, is a child of God first. “Child of God” is the common denominator that must supersede any other way we like to categorize – and thereby limit – other people.

Yes, we are people of privilege; but the only privilege that counts is the privilege to live into our identity as God’s good creation. Anything anyone does to try to deny equality on any basis is an affront to the core message of the Gospel.

So, wonderful and loved grandchildren, live into the amazing possibilities that are set free, enhanced, and multiplied when you claim for yourselves the amazing fact that you are dearly beloved children of God…

…Plus the whole “Being Derek’s Grandkids” thing can’t hurt either!

In love, and because of love – DEREK