Home, Sycamore, IL

You know what I love about the gospel? It's universal. It speaks a variety of languages to a variety of people in a variety of locations.  It breaks down walls, it crosses chasms.  It's not limited to one people group, it's not constrained to one type of person.  It's not just for white, middle-class, republican Americans.  It's not just for adults, and it's not just for kids.  And, believe it or not, teens & tweens can come to know Christ personally despite the tumultuous years they are in. 

I was reminded of all of that the other day.  You see, my wife and I are parents.  Sorta.  While we don't yet have a child of our own (much to our parents frustration), we have an adopted child in the Dominican Republic.  For the last several years we've sponsored Mayerlin through Compassion International.  And the other day when we got home, we got a letter from her that read...

My tutor prayed for me and I accepted Lord Jesus in my heart on 02/02/07 and she gave me a bible which also was bought thanks to your help. I want you to pray for me to keep in the path of Jesus, to reign with Him. Thank you for all your help...Please, always pray for me and for my family and write me soon. Say goodbye with so much love, your new little sister in Jesus... Mayerlin German.

What joy filled our hearts when we read that this 12 year-old we've been corresponding with and praying for over the last 5 years came to know Christ!  C.S. Lewis once said that, "It was not for societies or states, that Christ died, but for men." 

And it's days like this, when we read letters like this, that we're reminded of that. Jesus died not just for me, not just for you. But for all of us - Americans and Dominicans, whites and blacks, and everyone else in between.  For God so loved the world...for God so loved all nations...for God so loved, Internationally...

In just about an hour I'll head to church, as will quite a few million people in this country. In the midst of our worship, I hope that we all remember for whom Christ died, and I hope that we all celebrate in worship with a fresh reminder of the amazing grace that he gave in that act. 

-kevin