Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:5-6

Wow! This is one seriously busy weekend. Friday left me with no time to write – not even a simple “5-Photo-Friday”. Now today – Saturday – is all prep for the party we are hosting for out-of-town retirement guests, and of course for the big day, Sunday.

Meanwhile, over in Europe, Andrew and Alicia (along with Mr. T.) are on the cusp of moving from Dresden to Bahrain. They drive to Frankfurt tomorrow, then the long haul to their new home Monday. Prayers for smooth travels and the anticipation of new adventures.

I led my last Saturday morning men’s meeting earlier today. A little smaller than the Wednesday crew (there are around 10 committed members) this group comprises a rich diversity of men who are faithful in their response to Christ’s invitation to follow him.

Today we talked about “The Kingdom of God” and the less easy to grasp idea of “heaven.” We encouraged one another to live in such a way that we are partners with Jesus, joining in with God’s initiatives of grace, mercy, justice, reconciliation, and hope.

They will, of course, continue to meet – as will the Wednesday men and my Sunday morning class – as part of the discipleship ministries of WFPC. Because the men’s groups have never been about me but about encouraging each other to follow Jesus.

Let’s make this a “Photo-Saturday,” and I will drop in some smiles from this past week.

In love, and because love always provides the power for us to move forward into bright and encouraging tomorrows – DEREK