The Evolution of Tony

I wasn't necessarily raised "in the church". I certainly was born to parents that considered themselves to be Christians, but never really attended Sunday services or read the Bible. My grandmother was a different story. She was a very reverent Christian who dedicated her life to the Lord. I remember her taking me to church every chance she had (which wasn't very often). While we were there, she absolutely glowed. Not only because she was in her favorite place with her favorite grandson, but because that was where she felt closest to her Lord.

Those handful of Sunday mornings have all been combined into one wonderful memory of her. I still love and miss her. I wish I could say that she were still here so that I might be able to share with her all my new feelings about God. But, I truly believe that she is in heaven right now and she is watching over me. She knows and sees all about me and my new life and that gives me a good feeling.

I mention all of this because I am reading John, Chapter 11. This chaper teaches us about the resurrection of Lazarus after he grew sick and died. Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, all had a very intimate relationship with Jesus. So, my stugy guided posed a very interesting question:

What do you think is the secret to that kind of relationship to Christ?

I believe that intimate relationships are much more about love than anything else. If we truly love Christ, then that type of intimate relationship is simply a given. I realize that it's a little different level of love, but doesn't this same line of thinking apply to all the people we love in our lives?