1 QUOTE

“What is your life verse?”

– Dr. J. Robert Clinton

1 NOTE

One book saved my ministry and changed my life. I was ready to quit ministry at age 24. I had my resignation letter written. But just before meeting with my supervisor, a friend gave me The Making of a Leader, penned by Dr. J. Robert Clinton. The ministry timeline gave me new perspective: God was committed to my life-long development and the primary purpose for my 20s was His work in me, not through me. So I counted it an honor to study with Dr. Clinton in 1999. He began our 10-week course with an attention getter. Each student was to stand and answer the question, “What is your life verse?” Becky and I were in a multi-year study of John’s Gospel, and one verse captured our hearts and minds. So when I was on the clock, I stood, cleared my throat and said, “From His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace” (John 1:16).

On our wedding day, Darrell Johnson taught us that grace is best defined next to justice and mercy. Justice is receiving what we deserve. Who wants justice? Not me! Mercy is not receiving what we deserve. But grace is altogether different. Grace is receiving an undeserved blessing, that we do not deserve. In the Apostle John’s world, following Jesus is grace upon grace, receiving undeserved gift, after undeserved gift, after undeserved gift. Like ocean waves that eventually reach the shore, the next wave always follows.

John 1:16 frames and fuels our marriage. Since 2000, Jesus has given us undeserved gifts that are easy to see. And He has given us other undeserved gifts, full of pain that are harder to understand. For 25 years, Jesus has given us grace to ‘Live in the Book’, pray, Sabbath and journal. For 25 years, Jesus has given us grace to make disciples among the urban poor: campus, two churches, a center for children, a restaurant, and an apostolic church planting network. For 25 years, Jesus has given us a home for weekly Life Groups, hospitality and evangelism. For 25 years, Jesus has given us Kingdom family (local and around the world), fulfilling his Mark 10:30 mission promise. For 25 years, Jesus has provided for all financial needs through faithful mission partners. And for 25 years, Jesus has given grace for our family. Grace to honor and say good-bye to two of our parents. Grace to make a home for, and disciple, our three wonderful children. (And I can’t leave out our beagle Cookie and the guinea pigs).

Today is our 25th anniversary.

On this benchmark day, I look back and see how much has changed. But Becky Teter is only getting sweeter, wiser and stronger in the Kingdom. I honor my amazing and beautiful wife with a heartfelt, “Thank you for 25 years of grace upon grace!”

On this benchmark day, I look back and recall sharing our life verse in Dr. Clinton’s classroom. So much has changed. But through it all, Jesus of Nazareth has made this text come alive in our lives. With tears in my eyes, and joy in my heart, I stand, clear my throat, and say “Jesus, thank you for not giving me justice. Thank you for an amazing 25 years with Becky, full of grace upon grace.”

1 QUESTION

What is your life verse?

Until Next Tuesday,

John