Bright flashing lights and colors, mesmerizing music, and animated characters captivated me when I saw a video game for the first time as a child, and I was hooked.

My father and I drove to Little Ceasar's in Bay City, Michigan to pick up a pizza when I saw a Frogger video game console.  I was drawn to the alluring lights and sounds.  When I had grown a little older, I saved my quarters religiously so I could spend a couple of hours per visit to the mall arcade.  When Nintendo began marketing its first Nintendo Entertainment System, I saw the advertisement on TV and knew that I must have one.  I saved my money for months to afford this coveted item.  Once I was able to purchase the Nintendo system, I brought it home and plugged it into my black and white TV in my bedroom.  I remember the day when I first completed the game Mario Brothers (the original one).  I still remember celebrating my victory over Mike Tyson on  Mike Tyson's Punch-Out.  Interestingly, while I now can afford and possess and advanced game system with outstanding graphics and sound, what I find myself enjoying is the nostalgia of playing my wife's $25 plug and play Pac Man game. 

What I love about video games is that when I am playing poorly, or I accidently loose a life or a turn,  all I have to do is press the reset button and I can start over.  Wouldn't it be great if life came with a "reset" button.  Loose your temper at work.  Press the "reset" button.  Eat that chili hotdog before bed.  Press the "reset" button.  The truth is life does not come with such a mechanism.  We are free to make our choices, and we must live with the consequences, good or bad.  Thankfully, we have something even greater through God.  We have grace.

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

Learn more about St. John's Reformed Church online: www.stjohnsss.org