I wear plaid. I'm a blogger.

Today, Nov 6th, is considered the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church. We spent some time praying for our brothers and sisters this morning; my prayer was for peace and comfort and endurance as they run the race. While praying I was reminded that we in America are blessed to not have the same daily persecutions. Or are we? Christian believers in Asia are forced to make a decision whether they are in or out. If they are in then they are laying a lot on the line. If they are out  then they are safe. We in America don't have to make that same polarizing decision. We can attend church every once in a while, half-heartedly sing some songs that make us feel kinda good, and drive a car with a Jesus bumper sticker while weaving through traffic. We are blessed to be allowed to be lukewarm Christians.  Revelation 3:16 " So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."   It raises the question: who is more blessed? ...

Today is our baby's due date.  Katie and I are on pins and needles waiting to meet this newest member of our family. Katie is aware of every little contraction and twinge, wondering if maybe that  is the onset of labor. Or no, maybe that one  is! It's a very unique season of advent in the Read household. The doctors gave us a due date of Sept 21 but in all realit y  "about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13:32). So we wait to see the timing that God has picked out for us, knowing that His timing will be perfect, and knowing that the doctors should have just given us a ballpark (late September) time instead of a specific date (it's okay medical staff, we forgive you).  All this anticipation has me thinking: what if God gave us a gestational period so that we could better understand how His 2nd coming will be?  Here are some similarities that I believe God gave us so that we can bet...