I hear that word a lot of late: vintage. It really means old, doesn’t it? I was talking with some vintage men recently and they were trying to come up with a term to describe an old looking classroom in our church (cinder block walls etc.) and they said it looked rustic. We laughed and I told them that the catch phrase of the day is vintage. Vintage clothing – like bowling shirts and 1960′s era men’s straw hats is vintage. It also carries a connotation of being some what special because of an emotional attachment to it. Vintage reminds me of my childhood growing up on suburban Long Island and going to Jones Beach to pass the summer days. Black Ray Ban sun glasses remind me of those days or ladies horn rimmed sun glasses.

Vintage faith – precious and emotionally attached to me, it takes me back to my salvation moment – when I experienced that supernatural moment of truth and things “clicked.” Grace and forgiveness were so real – in a sense, I could taste it. I read the pages of Scripture and wonder how Paul felt and the other authors felt. I only catch glimpses of their lives and experiences in their letters and gospels. Despite being separated by thousand years, I can still get a sense of the wonder. When I quiet my mind, step back from my 21st Century Life and above all my selfishness – I can sense their wonder and excitement. God almighty is not a distant figure or abstract concept nor is He a political ideal. He is with me. He is with me. He is right here now, as I write. That is truly amazing and makes vintage more than old or rustic – it makes it meaningful and precious.