It’s amazing how the Lord works and weaves things together to speak to us, sometimes from a completely unexpected direction.  Here’s a case in point.  This past Wednesday night, we looked at a specific topic as we wrapped up our study of God’s prophetic calendar in Scripture with a look at our Heavenly home, the New Jerusalem.  With all its bejeweled beauty, I believe the most impressive fact by far of its description is what Revelation 21:23 states: “for the glory of God did lighten it.”  If you study through the Scripture, it doesn’t take very long to see the supremacy and beauty of the glory of the Lord.  Now to the unexpected turn of events.  Last night I attended a playoff basketball game at a local high school, but it wasn’t the game that impressed me.  Sitting on the other side of the gym was a fan of the opposing team, a father of one of the players.  But just no ordinary father.  It was Julius Erving.  Dr. J himself.  All 6’7” of him.  “Who,” you ask?  Only one of the most exciting players ever to wear a basketball uniform.  On every list of all-time top NBA players.  One of the greatest.  Ever.  And I went over and met him and shook his hand.  Wow.  If you’re a basketball fan (especially over 40), you know what that means.  If you’re not a basketball fan, please bear with me.  As I drove home after the game, my mind went back to the Wednesday night study and the verse we considered in Psalm 138:4-5.  “All the kings of the earth shall praise Thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of Thy mouth.  Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.”  As much as a thrill that it was to shake that massive hand, I was reminded of what matters most.  Not the glory of a stellar, but temporary, NBA career, but the glory of the eternal God.  Don’t get me wrong; it was really, really cool to meet Julius Erving – something I’ll never forget.  But I’m so glad I have the immeasurably greater privilege to serve a God whose glory will one day fill the earth and light up my Heavenly home.  Now that’s a slam-dunk truth to get excited about, basketball fan or not!