Carol and Dennis were away for several days last week to celebrate Thanksgiving with her parents. I had a good Thanksgiving celebration with my parents and brother, but that doesn’t mitigate the circumstances that my house was empty (save for the dog and cat). The Lord said it best: “it is not good for man to be alone”. My aloneness was temporary. Wife, child, dog and cat are all back where they should be.

We are entering the season of year where loneliness becomes more pronounced for many people. It was for those kinds of people that the Lord came and it is for those kinds of people that we need to watch during these days. The season of giving should be the season of sharing the Reason with those who are lonely. And what a gift we have to give: The only true gift that keeps on giving…. eternally.

Among churches, what is greatness? I've reflected on this after returning from a conference. A common phenomenon happened throughout the conference. Introductions were made. Pastors were referred to as "the pastor of one of our greatest churches." I find these words strangely disturbing -- not only because of the content of their message but also because of their source.

Pastors are stewards of truth -- separated by the Lord to rightly divide the Word of Truth and to make it relevant to life. Our content needs to be reflective of THE content. Even when we speak gracious words, we need to be careful to speak true words.

So, what is the truth? Christ died for the church because of His love for her. Every local church that preaches truth and ministers to those who have been redeemed by the Blood share in that love. We represent not many brides, but one Bride. Greatness, then, should never be measured by size, activity or facility. Greatness flows from our union with Christ.