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If you are a parent, this has happened to you. At some point, you have told your child: "Trust me. I know what will happen. I need you to listen to me and follow my lead. Don't worry, it will be all right in the end - but it might be scary at some points." This was never more evident than when we took Joey to Disney World for the first time. We were about to go on "Pirates of the Caribbean" and he froze at the front door. There was no way, no how, he was going to set foot inside that building (no matter what I told him). He simply dug in his heels and said, "No way, Jose." At this point, you might be tempted to feel sorry for Joey. But, you shouldn't. He did eventually experience "Pirates" and learned, for himself, that it is a great time. More importantly, Joey learned he could trust me and my leading. Since I had rode "Pirates" before and lived, it couldn't have been all that bad. He learned that, if he listened to me and trusted my directions, good things would happen. But what if Joey never trusted me and never followed my lead? Would it all have been lost? No, the trip still would have been fun. His lack of faith and obedience wouldn't have made or broke the trip. Why? Because the real joy of the trip wasn't the action, but being together - not the attractions we rode. Throughout John's Gospel, we have studied Peter. He, too, didn't always listed to his Master. And, we know from all of Scripture that he often got out of step with Christ. Yet, we also know that Jesus used him for great and mighty things for the Kingdom. How was that possible? And, is it better to be in step with Christ than out in front, or lagging behind? These are a few things we'll look at Sunday as we continue in our look at John's Gospel. Please take the time to read John 18:1-28 before Sunday. Come with an open heart to hear what God has to say about living a life that is "In Step" with Christ and what happens when we're not. As always, I can't wait to see you Sunday. Humbly, Thomas