Dear Family and Friends,

In case you were wondering, we just returned from visiting sites in Greece and Turkey where Paul preached, planted churches and was even run out of town.

There is much to share but let me start with the site mentioned in the Bible that is most pertinent to us today – Patmos.

What does Patmos have to do with us today?

We are in the final month of not knowing who will become our next president. And many of us are growing anxious about what the future holds. 

So, to help us survive the next few weeks, I share these words from the Bible.

Recall how when the Israelites asked for a king, the Lord said our hearts had room for only one.

“And the Lord told him [the prophet Samuel]: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.’”  1 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let’s not allow any president to become a god that replaces God’s rightful place in our hearts.

When we allow little ‘g’ gods into our hearts, it’s inevitable that anxiety will soon follow.

A few weeks ago, I shared the following quote: “Anxiety is always a sign of the collapse of a false god.”  Saint Augustine

When people or things we care about turn into gods we place our hope, faith and love in, we will have anxiety.

Why? Because everyone and everything that is not God will fail. And anxiety is the sign that our gods have collapsed.

Second, let’s keep our sights and our hearts centered on a future that’s known and assured. The future found in the book of Revelation.

On the island of Patmos is a cave said to be where the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation.

We stood in that cave. And viewed the crevice in the rock wall where John laid his head to rest.

We placed our hands in a smaller crevice he used to lift himself up.

And we touched the flat surface likely used by John’s scribe, Procorus, to record the words of Jesus spoken to John.

In the ceiling of the cave is a spot where three large boulders come together. It’s said these boulders represent the Trinity.

Why? Because if one listens carefully, wind can be heard passing through the spot where the three boulders meet.

Perhaps what John heard was more than the wind. Perhaps he heard Jesus saying these words.

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I am making everything new! Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The world lives for the here and now. We, however, live for tomorrow.

Sure, the election is important. We have a role in setting the direction of our country.

But our faith, our hope and our love belongs only to Jesus.

“Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”  Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In love always,