Welcome Back!

In December 2021, I pulled the plug on the previous iteration of I Was Just Thinking…


Over the past 21 months, I have had the chance to get my head clear, refocus, and clarify my heart in ministry:


Helping Christians use stories to connect with Jesus and share the Gospel.


Therefore, it is time to return. WELCOME BACK everyone!


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Last school year, 2022-2023, I started substitute teaching in our local middle school and high school.


One of the highlights of substitute teaching is fielding all the requests and excuses students use to get out of class.


And boy, I understand.

In high school, I always found a way to finish my classwork and get to the library to play games on the school computers (because we did not have chromebooks to play Stumble Guys on - ask any middle school student about this if you are unaware of this game) or the gym to play basketball.

Regardless of what excuse a student uses to get out of class, whenever they return I always open the door saying, “Welcome Back.”


I wish there was some profound or heartwarming reason for this, but the truth is I am just glad they returned. 


The phrase “Welcome Back” reminds me of several passages of Scripture like when the Prodigal Son returns home, the reunion of Joseph and his family in Egypt, and when Jesus healed the demon-possessed man in the tombs.


It also reminds me of salvation. When one repents and puts their faith and trust in Jesus, they are redeemed and brought back into relationship with God. It is God saying “Welcome Back.”

Remember Jesus and Peter after the crucifixion and resurrection? Can you imagine Peter's thoughts the first time he saw Jesus after he had denied knowing Jesus?

John 21:15 says, “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’”


This conversation is the “Welcome Back” moment for Peter. Sometimes we veer away and hesitate to come back to Jesus because we think we have messed up too badly, been away too long, are not worthy, or any number of excuses.


However, just like when I welcome back those students - no matter where they have gone, what they have done, why they left, or how long they have been away - Jesus is always glad you return, and He is ready to open the door and greet you with “Welcome Back.”

So let’s head back to class and the Great Teacher.

Anyway, I was just thinking…