Do you need to dance?
Notice I didn’t say do you like to dance, or even can you dance. Neither of those is true for me - I’m not terribly coordinated or graceful, and am rather self-conscious of how foolish I look out on the dance floor.
God calls me to a joy-filled party in His house. He asks me to lay aside my perceptions of what is fair, what others (and I) deserve, and my “trophies” of being a hard-working, “good” Christian. Instead, God asks me to join Him in an exuberant celebration when one more person finds their way home and into His arms.
Our God is a God of festivities, I believe. He wants to fill my life with the joy of His presence and love, and He wants that to be enough for me. Regardless of my circumstances, what I have and what I don’t, what I’ve done and where I’ve been, He invites me in to an ongoing, amazing celebration.
Jesus leaves the story unfinished. We don’t know how the older brother reacted.
My story, too, is unfinished. And the choice to accept or reject God’s blessings, of course, is mine. Will I remain outside, caught up in my own pride, deciding I won’t stoop so low as to mingle with the likes of “those people” whom God has welcomed?
Or will I realize my Father’s love for me is all-encompassing and is not diminished by His love for others. And that I will be with Him always, and He is all I really truly need or want, anyway.
I probably need to come on in and dance more. You?
Lee Thrasher
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day 39
Writing lists. Managing tasks. Crossing off items completed. I admit it – I love this stuff! Surely there are a few of my fellow type-A folks out there? It reminds me of our dear “older brother”.
All sheep accounted for? Check.
Tasks delegated to hired men? Check.
Report on livestock to Dad? Check.
The older brother was head down, nose to the grindstone, gritting his teeth, and duty bound. He was determined to do the right thing! I am a big believer in duty. It has become a bit of an old-fashioned word in our society, but there is often a clear call to do our duty, regardless of our feelings.
I wonder, though, if we can become so consumed with our duties that we forget to pause and bask in the love of our Father. He is our Creator. He created us to work. We are happier when we are purposeful, but we are joyful when we reflect on the irrepressible love of a God who numbers the hairs on our heads.
My Father knows the tasks that I have planned to cross off of my list today. He just wants me to look up from my bustling about and remember that He loves me to the core and that He gave me all that I truly need. He gave me His Son.
Kathleen Tatro
All sheep accounted for? Check.
Tasks delegated to hired men? Check.
Report on livestock to Dad? Check.
The older brother was head down, nose to the grindstone, gritting his teeth, and duty bound. He was determined to do the right thing! I am a big believer in duty. It has become a bit of an old-fashioned word in our society, but there is often a clear call to do our duty, regardless of our feelings.
I wonder, though, if we can become so consumed with our duties that we forget to pause and bask in the love of our Father. He is our Creator. He created us to work. We are happier when we are purposeful, but we are joyful when we reflect on the irrepressible love of a God who numbers the hairs on our heads.
My Father knows the tasks that I have planned to cross off of my list today. He just wants me to look up from my bustling about and remember that He loves me to the core and that He gave me all that I truly need. He gave me His Son.
Kathleen Tatro
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 38
When my girls were little, their birthday parties were the highlight of their year. It was different from all other parties because this party was just about them. There was, however a problem when we would take them to someone else’s party; they didn’t understand why that party wasn’t about them too.
The older brother’s jealously was worn like a badge of pride. He was jealous that he’d never gotten a shindig thrown in his honor; let’s face it, he was the good one! Why had his Dad never thought about giving him an ‘I love you son’ party? Don’t you think he felt left out? On a similar note, no one went out into the fields to get him to bring him home to share in the party. The scripture just says ‘when the older brother got home’. I can only imagine what that felt like; probably like when you walk into a room and everyone becomes strangely silent. Your immediate conclusion is that they were saying bad things about you and that’s why they all stopped. It’s embarrassing! Don’t you think the older brother was embarrassed and his pride would not let him hold in his self-righteousness for one more minute? My grandmother used to tell me “whatever is in someone’s heart will come out eventually.”
I wonder sometimes about our welcome into heaven; will there be a lot of older brothers and sisters who are looking around upon my arrival thinking, “how in the world did she get here? She didn’t keep all the rules or do things ‘the right way’. I imagine I’ll just smile and say, “My father loved me with everything he had, even when I was the black sheep and made a mess of things; I knew when to look for home. God was my solace in those moments of repentance.” Praise God for second chances and for the party awaiting us all when we all get to heaven. I can’t wait to see what the Father has prepared.
Sandy Welfare
The older brother’s jealously was worn like a badge of pride. He was jealous that he’d never gotten a shindig thrown in his honor; let’s face it, he was the good one! Why had his Dad never thought about giving him an ‘I love you son’ party? Don’t you think he felt left out? On a similar note, no one went out into the fields to get him to bring him home to share in the party. The scripture just says ‘when the older brother got home’. I can only imagine what that felt like; probably like when you walk into a room and everyone becomes strangely silent. Your immediate conclusion is that they were saying bad things about you and that’s why they all stopped. It’s embarrassing! Don’t you think the older brother was embarrassed and his pride would not let him hold in his self-righteousness for one more minute? My grandmother used to tell me “whatever is in someone’s heart will come out eventually.”
I wonder sometimes about our welcome into heaven; will there be a lot of older brothers and sisters who are looking around upon my arrival thinking, “how in the world did she get here? She didn’t keep all the rules or do things ‘the right way’. I imagine I’ll just smile and say, “My father loved me with everything he had, even when I was the black sheep and made a mess of things; I knew when to look for home. God was my solace in those moments of repentance.” Praise God for second chances and for the party awaiting us all when we all get to heaven. I can’t wait to see what the Father has prepared.
Sandy Welfare
Monday, July 12, 2010
Day 37
So, the elder son snaps. Bottom line: he’s been doing all the work and his spoiled, rotten brat of a brother gets a party. Did I mention that the little rug rat spent a barn load of money, too?
I’ve got a little brother. He’s the baby of the family. Number four of four. He got everything sooner, bigger, and without consequence time and time again (or so I thought). TV in his room-with cable! Telephone-in his room...good grief, Charlie Brown. My parents must have been abducted by aliens.
The elder son needed what I like to call a “come to Jesus meeting”. The father was much kinder than I would have been. I might have started the conversation with a wallop across the noggin to get his brain refocused. Tell me you haven’t thought about it!!
I’ve had several “come to Jesus meetings” with my little brother. Turns out, being the baby of the family wasn’t all roses and parades. Who knew? He got lots of “you’re nothing like your brothers” and “your sister is so great” and “why aren’t you as studious as your siblings?” He struggled mightily to find his way in the world, and live up to everyone’s expectations based on the three kids who came before him.
My dad had a saying every time we would go out with my friends or on a date, “remember whose son you are.” That’s what the elder son needed to hear. It’s not about who does what or doesn’t do this or that. It’s about the Father. I have a much less compassionate phrase I’ve added to my dad’s saying...“get over yourself, and remember whose son you are!” OK, so I still have some work to do in the empathy department!
In the end, we all just needed to drop the comparison/contrast, get over ourselves, and pick up the cross of our big brother to carry for a while. I hope for his sake the elder son got it. I sure wish we had Paul Harvey to give us “the rest of the story!”
Jim Bales
I’ve got a little brother. He’s the baby of the family. Number four of four. He got everything sooner, bigger, and without consequence time and time again (or so I thought). TV in his room-with cable! Telephone-in his room...good grief, Charlie Brown. My parents must have been abducted by aliens.
The elder son needed what I like to call a “come to Jesus meeting”. The father was much kinder than I would have been. I might have started the conversation with a wallop across the noggin to get his brain refocused. Tell me you haven’t thought about it!!
I’ve had several “come to Jesus meetings” with my little brother. Turns out, being the baby of the family wasn’t all roses and parades. Who knew? He got lots of “you’re nothing like your brothers” and “your sister is so great” and “why aren’t you as studious as your siblings?” He struggled mightily to find his way in the world, and live up to everyone’s expectations based on the three kids who came before him.
My dad had a saying every time we would go out with my friends or on a date, “remember whose son you are.” That’s what the elder son needed to hear. It’s not about who does what or doesn’t do this or that. It’s about the Father. I have a much less compassionate phrase I’ve added to my dad’s saying...“get over yourself, and remember whose son you are!” OK, so I still have some work to do in the empathy department!
In the end, we all just needed to drop the comparison/contrast, get over ourselves, and pick up the cross of our big brother to carry for a while. I hope for his sake the elder son got it. I sure wish we had Paul Harvey to give us “the rest of the story!”
Jim Bales
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Day 36
The irony is overwhelming. The God of the new covenant reminding me that He loves me and wants me.
For each son the Father goes out of his way. For the prodigal, the Father is found anticipating his son’s arrival -an arrival we, the reader, view as a slim chance. The Father should be focused on more important things. He should be rebuilding the estate, creating bigger, better business to restore things to pre-divided inheritance status. Instead, the Father sees his son in the distance and runs to meet him.
For the older brother the Father takes a break from the party he is hosting. It would have been noticeable that the Father stepped away from the celebration and out into the dark night.
And the Father pleads with the older son, “Don’t you see? All this is yours.” (As they look around the plantation.) The Father indicates that with the older brother is always celebration. Every moments is testimony to the faithfulness of the older brother, a faithful response of the older brother to the generosity of the loving, giving Father.
When God pleads it’s as if he has to convince me of the elementary truths of what I already know. When God pleads it’s because my faith is weak.
God pleads with me in the wonder of creation. He pleads with me in the bond of close relationships with my spouse, my boys and friends. He pleads with me in those moments when I rediscover His grace. He pleads with me through faithful blessing in the midst of hurt and pain, often the result of my own sin. God pleads with me in the daily provision of life.
May you hear the pleading of God today. May you know that celebration for you continues in the heart of the Father. For you are found.
Nathan Tillotson
For each son the Father goes out of his way. For the prodigal, the Father is found anticipating his son’s arrival -an arrival we, the reader, view as a slim chance. The Father should be focused on more important things. He should be rebuilding the estate, creating bigger, better business to restore things to pre-divided inheritance status. Instead, the Father sees his son in the distance and runs to meet him.
For the older brother the Father takes a break from the party he is hosting. It would have been noticeable that the Father stepped away from the celebration and out into the dark night.
And the Father pleads with the older son, “Don’t you see? All this is yours.” (As they look around the plantation.) The Father indicates that with the older brother is always celebration. Every moments is testimony to the faithfulness of the older brother, a faithful response of the older brother to the generosity of the loving, giving Father.
When God pleads it’s as if he has to convince me of the elementary truths of what I already know. When God pleads it’s because my faith is weak.
God pleads with me in the wonder of creation. He pleads with me in the bond of close relationships with my spouse, my boys and friends. He pleads with me in those moments when I rediscover His grace. He pleads with me through faithful blessing in the midst of hurt and pain, often the result of my own sin. God pleads with me in the daily provision of life.
May you hear the pleading of God today. May you know that celebration for you continues in the heart of the Father. For you are found.
Nathan Tillotson
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Day 35
“And he would not come in…”
“I will not join you in a celebration… that’s not for me!”
Is it just me or is this what’s going on in the older brother’s head. He stands outside and pouts in anger. He just hates the thought of his low-life brother getting a big cake. That is so petty, so prideful and unfortunately, soooo me.
You see, few of us want to miss a party and this one was a big deal. The Father had gone all out. A feast that included meat in those days would have been an affair for the whole village to enjoy. Everyone would have come to celebrate the return of the master’s lost son. Which means everyone would have been watching as the host and Lord of the party had to go outside. And why? His eldest son, the one who was presumed to become the new master one day was pulling a power-play: “You can’t make me dance. I won’t do it!”
Haven’t you seen someone who doesn’t want to dance at a wedding reception get drug onto the floor by the bride or groom. Maybe its Grandpa or Uncle Bob whose embarrassed because they can’t dance. But soon everyone is clapping and chanting their name as they are pulled into the party. And if they even wiggle their hips an inch everybody goes nuts and applauds. Because, somehow, they just took the party up a notch. It just got more fun.
But if they refuse, if they throw down and cross their arms and get stinky in front of the whole crowd… everyone gets tense. We all start to look away and we all feel sorry for the bride or groom because this is not what you want at your party: A stick in the mud who can’t enjoy the celebration.
Now you see what the crowd saw as the older brother refused to come in and dance.
And why? It wasn’t that he didn’t like parties. He was juts ticked that this party wasn’t for him! He wasn’t the one getting celebrated. He even says so: “You never gave me a young goat to party with my friends!” His message seems to be “If it isn’t my party, I’m not dancing!”
Sound familiar? How do you handle it when the party, the reward or the accolades are for someone else? How do you respond when its someone else’s idea or success or return is being trumpeted? I know what I hear in my head:
Pride quietly assures me that I deserve it more than them.
Greed says that I never get that big a cake at my party.
Contempt whispers that they don’t even appreciate what’s being done and never earned it.
And… my Father says, “Come on and celebrate – You need it!”
So what party do you need to dance at this week? Go celebrate someone else: Its good medicine for older-brother-itis.
Jeff Walling
“I will not join you in a celebration… that’s not for me!”
Is it just me or is this what’s going on in the older brother’s head. He stands outside and pouts in anger. He just hates the thought of his low-life brother getting a big cake. That is so petty, so prideful and unfortunately, soooo me.
You see, few of us want to miss a party and this one was a big deal. The Father had gone all out. A feast that included meat in those days would have been an affair for the whole village to enjoy. Everyone would have come to celebrate the return of the master’s lost son. Which means everyone would have been watching as the host and Lord of the party had to go outside. And why? His eldest son, the one who was presumed to become the new master one day was pulling a power-play: “You can’t make me dance. I won’t do it!”
Haven’t you seen someone who doesn’t want to dance at a wedding reception get drug onto the floor by the bride or groom. Maybe its Grandpa or Uncle Bob whose embarrassed because they can’t dance. But soon everyone is clapping and chanting their name as they are pulled into the party. And if they even wiggle their hips an inch everybody goes nuts and applauds. Because, somehow, they just took the party up a notch. It just got more fun.
But if they refuse, if they throw down and cross their arms and get stinky in front of the whole crowd… everyone gets tense. We all start to look away and we all feel sorry for the bride or groom because this is not what you want at your party: A stick in the mud who can’t enjoy the celebration.
Now you see what the crowd saw as the older brother refused to come in and dance.
And why? It wasn’t that he didn’t like parties. He was juts ticked that this party wasn’t for him! He wasn’t the one getting celebrated. He even says so: “You never gave me a young goat to party with my friends!” His message seems to be “If it isn’t my party, I’m not dancing!”
Sound familiar? How do you handle it when the party, the reward or the accolades are for someone else? How do you respond when its someone else’s idea or success or return is being trumpeted? I know what I hear in my head:
Pride quietly assures me that I deserve it more than them.
Greed says that I never get that big a cake at my party.
Contempt whispers that they don’t even appreciate what’s being done and never earned it.
And… my Father says, “Come on and celebrate – You need it!”
So what party do you need to dance at this week? Go celebrate someone else: Its good medicine for older-brother-itis.
Jeff Walling
Friday, July 9, 2010
Day 34
There are two kinds of “good students.” You might think an A is an A. But it’s not. There is the kind of good student whose sight is set on achieving to the best of their ability. They are only satisfied when they know they have given it their all. It doesn’t matter who else tells them they did an amazing job on a paper…if they put a period in a sentence where there should’ve been a comma then the world is not right. The class wants to strangle this student upon finding out there is no curve because Smarty Pants got a 99 on a test that no one else achieved higher than a 75 on. That is good student X for the sake of our comparison.
Student Y also gets A’s in class…but student Y takes a little bit of a different path. Y calculates his grade prior to each test. He searches through the pages of the class syllabus to determine what percentage of his grade this test will account for and his computations ultimately reveal the lowest grade he/she can possibly get on the test to keep an A.
I am student Y. Impure motives & selfish desires…it’s a little bit embarrassing, I know, but the first step to overcoming is admitting, so maybe I am on my way to recovery :) This trait became apparent to me while I was in college and I don’t think I cared even a bit but as I analyze it now I am befuddled [I don’t think if I’ve ever typed that word before] at how I arrived there. I think some people are born into the pack of Student Y’s [it sounds like a disease] but not me, I love learning. I used to study my spelling words right up until the minute we had to take the test just so I could get a 100. I thrived on doing the best I possibly could…and then I was introduced to culture. The idea that one could do the least amount of work possible to achieve what they want began to eat away at my innocent perception of the world.
Has that same perception wreaked havoc on our relationships with the Lord? It makes me kind of sick to think about the Lord in the same context I think about grades…but it is the reality of our sinful, human nature. We want to do the least amount of work we can to be saved. We look around at other Christians and if we swear less than them and lie less than them and attend more bible studies than they do then we must be doing ok.
As I read the story of the prodigal son today the words of the older brother slapped me in the face, “All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me…” This sentence reeks of self-righteousness and entitlement…and it implies that if we can do just enough to be better than the next guy then we will have earned our right to _______.
I live in awe of a God who laughs at this ridiculous theory. Isaiah 64 reminds me of how small I am, “When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.” Our most righteous acts [how often do those occur anyway?] are filth in comparison to our perfect, holy, loving Lord. Initially, these words discourage and dishearten but as they wash over me I begin to bask in the freedom that my good deeds will never win me salvation.
Salvation is free. Costly, but free. And our wonderful God has made it available to all of us. May you bask in that freedom today.
Jenna Thomas
Student Y also gets A’s in class…but student Y takes a little bit of a different path. Y calculates his grade prior to each test. He searches through the pages of the class syllabus to determine what percentage of his grade this test will account for and his computations ultimately reveal the lowest grade he/she can possibly get on the test to keep an A.
I am student Y. Impure motives & selfish desires…it’s a little bit embarrassing, I know, but the first step to overcoming is admitting, so maybe I am on my way to recovery :) This trait became apparent to me while I was in college and I don’t think I cared even a bit but as I analyze it now I am befuddled [I don’t think if I’ve ever typed that word before] at how I arrived there. I think some people are born into the pack of Student Y’s [it sounds like a disease] but not me, I love learning. I used to study my spelling words right up until the minute we had to take the test just so I could get a 100. I thrived on doing the best I possibly could…and then I was introduced to culture. The idea that one could do the least amount of work possible to achieve what they want began to eat away at my innocent perception of the world.
Has that same perception wreaked havoc on our relationships with the Lord? It makes me kind of sick to think about the Lord in the same context I think about grades…but it is the reality of our sinful, human nature. We want to do the least amount of work we can to be saved. We look around at other Christians and if we swear less than them and lie less than them and attend more bible studies than they do then we must be doing ok.
As I read the story of the prodigal son today the words of the older brother slapped me in the face, “All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me…” This sentence reeks of self-righteousness and entitlement…and it implies that if we can do just enough to be better than the next guy then we will have earned our right to _______.
I live in awe of a God who laughs at this ridiculous theory. Isaiah 64 reminds me of how small I am, “When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.” Our most righteous acts [how often do those occur anyway?] are filth in comparison to our perfect, holy, loving Lord. Initially, these words discourage and dishearten but as they wash over me I begin to bask in the freedom that my good deeds will never win me salvation.
Salvation is free. Costly, but free. And our wonderful God has made it available to all of us. May you bask in that freedom today.
Jenna Thomas
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Day 33
The parable of the prodigal son is about everyone of us. But you don’t need me to tell you that, huh? It becomes painfully obvious as we try to find our way home to God. We all have a longing to be reunited with something from which we have been cut off. We long for significance, to be accepted, welcomed, taken in….we seek it in many places but only One can provide it for us. Timothy Keller, in his book The Prodigal God, says that it is in the beginning of the book of Genesis that we learn the reason we all feel like exiles. We were created to live in the garden of God, with God. It was a place of no parting from love, no decay, no disease. We were there to adore Him, serve Him, to know Him, to enjoy Him. That is the country, the original home we were created for. But we wanted to live without God’s interference and we turned away. We have been prodigals, wandering exiles ever since, trying to live in a world that no longer fits our deepest longings.
Just like the Father in this parable ran to meet the son, God ran to meet me in the life of Jesus. He longs to restore me so much that he experienced that same exile for himself. When the Father meets his child, I see no rebuke, no lecture, no waiting to see if repentance is true….I see acceptance and welcome. The very thing I long for with all my being. And then there is celebration! A homecoming party! Our party awaits us too! At the end of the book of Revelation, at the end of history, there is a feast (Revelation 19). This feast is in the City of God with the very presence of God. At the end of history the whole earth has become the Garden of God again! Even the tree of life will be there. My wandering and never arriving will come to an end! Praise God that He has never abandoned us. I cannot wait for His hug to welcome me home!
Julie Hallman
Just like the Father in this parable ran to meet the son, God ran to meet me in the life of Jesus. He longs to restore me so much that he experienced that same exile for himself. When the Father meets his child, I see no rebuke, no lecture, no waiting to see if repentance is true….I see acceptance and welcome. The very thing I long for with all my being. And then there is celebration! A homecoming party! Our party awaits us too! At the end of the book of Revelation, at the end of history, there is a feast (Revelation 19). This feast is in the City of God with the very presence of God. At the end of history the whole earth has become the Garden of God again! Even the tree of life will be there. My wandering and never arriving will come to an end! Praise God that He has never abandoned us. I cannot wait for His hug to welcome me home!
Julie Hallman
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Day 32
Repenting is what pleases our Lord and Savior. God want us to turn to him only. In verse 21 of Chapter 15 of Luke, the Lord says: "The son said to him, 'Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son" This is the time where the son humbled himself and accepts how short of the glory of God he has been. Certainly God our father is pleased as the Father in the parable says in verse 22 of the same Chapter 15: 'Quick! Bring the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet" and in verse 23, "Let us have a feast and celebrate" . God our Father rejoices and is pleased when we are willing to humble ourselves and repent of not walking in His path. He wants to give us life in abundance through His son Jesus Christ. Praise Him!
Armando Perdomo
Armando Perdomo
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Day 31
(Luke 15:18-22 NIV) I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. {19} I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' {20} So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. {21} "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' {22} "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Anticipation is a wonderful part of life. We love to look forward to something: Christmas, getting our drivers license, graduating from High School, going to College, graduating from College, getting married, having a baby…. Anticipation makes life worth living. It is uncertain as to whether the father knows, for sure, if the son is going to come home. However, when the father saw his son, it seems that he could not contain himself. It is almost as if the father interrupts the son to, out of his joy, welcome him home. One thing is for certain, our Heavenly Father knows everything and it is comforting to know that he is anxiously waiting in anticipation with arms open wide for us. Does the half spoken confession matter? Good question. We know that God knows the heart. I am reminded of :
(Mat 7:7-11 NIV) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. {8} For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. {9} "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? {10} Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? {11} If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
We may be evil, but when we seek God and take one step towards him, He runs towards us!
Brad Childers
Anticipation is a wonderful part of life. We love to look forward to something: Christmas, getting our drivers license, graduating from High School, going to College, graduating from College, getting married, having a baby…. Anticipation makes life worth living. It is uncertain as to whether the father knows, for sure, if the son is going to come home. However, when the father saw his son, it seems that he could not contain himself. It is almost as if the father interrupts the son to, out of his joy, welcome him home. One thing is for certain, our Heavenly Father knows everything and it is comforting to know that he is anxiously waiting in anticipation with arms open wide for us. Does the half spoken confession matter? Good question. We know that God knows the heart. I am reminded of :
(Mat 7:7-11 NIV) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. {8} For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. {9} "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? {10} Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? {11} If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
We may be evil, but when we seek God and take one step towards him, He runs towards us!
Brad Childers
Monday, July 5, 2010
Day 30
There are lots of examples of people running away from God. And even some of people running to God.
But nowhere else do we read of God running – anywhere – ever.
For the patriach of a family to run for any reason other than to save his own life was highly irregular – it just wasn’t done. Running was unbecoming – one lost all dignity and threw all caution to the wind. He would be laughed at, especially running toward a rebellious son.
The expected behavior of the Father was to present a cold shoulder, look down his nose at his worthless son in disgust, and barely acknowledge his presence. He certainly wouldn’t have been glad to see him – after all his son’s actions brought him incredible shame in the community.
But that’s not the response of a loving God who is seeking for His rebellious children to come home. The Father in the story doesn’t care what others thought of him; he wanted to make sure his son understood how much he was loved and missed. God wants us to know that, too. So He runs when we make the turn, when we recognize we aren’t perfect, and when we finally break and admit we need God and can’t handle life on our own.
That’s what causes God to break into a sprint to welcome us home.
Lee Thrasher
But nowhere else do we read of God running – anywhere – ever.
For the patriach of a family to run for any reason other than to save his own life was highly irregular – it just wasn’t done. Running was unbecoming – one lost all dignity and threw all caution to the wind. He would be laughed at, especially running toward a rebellious son.
The expected behavior of the Father was to present a cold shoulder, look down his nose at his worthless son in disgust, and barely acknowledge his presence. He certainly wouldn’t have been glad to see him – after all his son’s actions brought him incredible shame in the community.
But that’s not the response of a loving God who is seeking for His rebellious children to come home. The Father in the story doesn’t care what others thought of him; he wanted to make sure his son understood how much he was loved and missed. God wants us to know that, too. So He runs when we make the turn, when we recognize we aren’t perfect, and when we finally break and admit we need God and can’t handle life on our own.
That’s what causes God to break into a sprint to welcome us home.
Lee Thrasher
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Day 29
The first, faltering steps of a toddler are so heart-warming and exciting. Often a proud father looks on, his heart brimming with love. Doesn’t he know that, in the process of learning to walk, his child will stumble? Does he realize that there will even be some painful falls? Well, of course he does. If he really loved his child, he wouldn’t allow him to do something that could hurt him! Isn’t that right?!
We all know that bumps and bruises are just part of growing up and learning to walk. A loving father wants his child to have a full life, in spite of some times of pain. I wonder if the prodigal’s father thought of this as his son demanded the right to “stretch his legs”.
I know that our Heavenly Father longs to see us learn to run the race in such a way that our pain increases our endurance and makes us long for the finish line. At times, the race that is marked out for us seems long and difficult. It is encouraging to remember that it is because of God’s great love for us that He allows us to trip over the small obstacles in order to prepare us. Satan will create soul-numbing hurdles for each us. In His great wisdom, God trains us through suffering to run in such a way that we can overcome these hurdles. Our Father’s heart longs, most of all, for us to finish the race and come home. He is waiting!
Kathleen Tatro
We all know that bumps and bruises are just part of growing up and learning to walk. A loving father wants his child to have a full life, in spite of some times of pain. I wonder if the prodigal’s father thought of this as his son demanded the right to “stretch his legs”.
I know that our Heavenly Father longs to see us learn to run the race in such a way that our pain increases our endurance and makes us long for the finish line. At times, the race that is marked out for us seems long and difficult. It is encouraging to remember that it is because of God’s great love for us that He allows us to trip over the small obstacles in order to prepare us. Satan will create soul-numbing hurdles for each us. In His great wisdom, God trains us through suffering to run in such a way that we can overcome these hurdles. Our Father’s heart longs, most of all, for us to finish the race and come home. He is waiting!
Kathleen Tatro
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Day 28
The prodigal son reaches a very low point in this story, in which we finally see him humbled. Right after reaching this low point he decides to return home. Today, I'd like to reflect on how the Father saw him.
I want to start by talking about what we see when we look at the prodigal son. I think that most of us to some extent feel that justice had been served. We feel like the boy got what he deserved. We have learned from Biblical principles that he reaped what he sewed. We see the son as a fool exposed, as a disappointment, a failure, and a disgrace to his father's name. We see a despicable, pitiful, careless, and sinful young man. Our sympathy for him is lacking.
I would bet that these are many of the same feelings the crowd felt when they were listening to Jesus tell this story. Surely they were all surprised to hear how the Father received his lost son with unconditional love, not only taking him back, but exalting him and restoring him as well. The simple difference between our view and the Father's is that the Father sees his child. No matter how old he gets or how far he goes from home, he will always be his father's child. This reminds me of a scene from "The Patriot" where Benjamin (Mel Gibson) is arguing with his son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger) about war. Gabriel is leaving to enlist in the military, to which his father understandably objects. Gabriel's anger and frustration spills over as he yells "I'm not a child! To which Benjamin immediately responds, "You're MY child!" No matter how old Gabriel grew to be, or how mature and ready he was to fight, he would always be his father's child.
While we see the faults and the mistakes, the Father sees a child whom he had lost come home, a son who had died come back to life. He was overjoyed just to have him back. Not yet being a parent myself, I can only look forward to fully understanding this. For now, I can only pass along the reflections other parents have given me.
A couple of weeks ago at our Wednesday night YouthQuest devo, we talked about having "Jesus Goggles" (viewing people as Jesus did). Jesus reached out to people that no one else would. He treated people with a level of compassion that was unheard of. This is simply because he viewed everyone as a child of God. People created in His own image, beloved and precious to Him. When we view others first as children of God, we eliminate whatever prejudice we may hold against them, even if it's a prejudice we hold subconsciously. If we are going to add children to the kingdom of heaven, we have to get passed the bad habit of deeming those who don't yet know the Father as "outsiders." They are sinful and in need of Christ's saving grace just like you and me. And they are beloved, precious children of God just like you and me. Let's follow Jesus by looking at others through the eyes of the Father. We won't always be a child, but we will always be his child.
Jason Creed
I want to start by talking about what we see when we look at the prodigal son. I think that most of us to some extent feel that justice had been served. We feel like the boy got what he deserved. We have learned from Biblical principles that he reaped what he sewed. We see the son as a fool exposed, as a disappointment, a failure, and a disgrace to his father's name. We see a despicable, pitiful, careless, and sinful young man. Our sympathy for him is lacking.
I would bet that these are many of the same feelings the crowd felt when they were listening to Jesus tell this story. Surely they were all surprised to hear how the Father received his lost son with unconditional love, not only taking him back, but exalting him and restoring him as well. The simple difference between our view and the Father's is that the Father sees his child. No matter how old he gets or how far he goes from home, he will always be his father's child. This reminds me of a scene from "The Patriot" where Benjamin (Mel Gibson) is arguing with his son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger) about war. Gabriel is leaving to enlist in the military, to which his father understandably objects. Gabriel's anger and frustration spills over as he yells "I'm not a child! To which Benjamin immediately responds, "You're MY child!" No matter how old Gabriel grew to be, or how mature and ready he was to fight, he would always be his father's child.
While we see the faults and the mistakes, the Father sees a child whom he had lost come home, a son who had died come back to life. He was overjoyed just to have him back. Not yet being a parent myself, I can only look forward to fully understanding this. For now, I can only pass along the reflections other parents have given me.
A couple of weeks ago at our Wednesday night YouthQuest devo, we talked about having "Jesus Goggles" (viewing people as Jesus did). Jesus reached out to people that no one else would. He treated people with a level of compassion that was unheard of. This is simply because he viewed everyone as a child of God. People created in His own image, beloved and precious to Him. When we view others first as children of God, we eliminate whatever prejudice we may hold against them, even if it's a prejudice we hold subconsciously. If we are going to add children to the kingdom of heaven, we have to get passed the bad habit of deeming those who don't yet know the Father as "outsiders." They are sinful and in need of Christ's saving grace just like you and me. And they are beloved, precious children of God just like you and me. Let's follow Jesus by looking at others through the eyes of the Father. We won't always be a child, but we will always be his child.
Jason Creed
Friday, July 2, 2010
Day 27
“While he was a long ways off, his father sees him...” Isn’t that what God is doing; watching out for us to walk His direction so that He can run to meet us? I’m struck by the fact that he didn’t ask any questions. He didn’t scold. He didn’t offer a set of boundaries for re-entry. No talking about it. He just saw the boy---and took off running.
I’m reading a book right now called UnChristian. It’s written by the CEO of the Barna Group and is the culmination of researching and interviewing thousands of young adults to try to figure out why Christianity is not connecting. Turns out-today’s teens and young adults perceive that we “Christians” or not acting like Jesus would. They say we are unfriendly, judgmental, and down-right hypocritical. They say our actions speak louder than our words. OUCH!
What does that have to do with this parable? Raise your hand if you would have run to get the boy? Raise your hand if you would have waited for his explanation? Raise your hand if you would have given him the “I told you so” speech? I’ll be honest---I’m inclined to have at least made him walk to the porch! I’m just saying...I’ve still got a lot of work to do in this area!!! More running. Less talk...
Jim Bales
I’m reading a book right now called UnChristian. It’s written by the CEO of the Barna Group and is the culmination of researching and interviewing thousands of young adults to try to figure out why Christianity is not connecting. Turns out-today’s teens and young adults perceive that we “Christians” or not acting like Jesus would. They say we are unfriendly, judgmental, and down-right hypocritical. They say our actions speak louder than our words. OUCH!
What does that have to do with this parable? Raise your hand if you would have run to get the boy? Raise your hand if you would have waited for his explanation? Raise your hand if you would have given him the “I told you so” speech? I’ll be honest---I’m inclined to have at least made him walk to the porch! I’m just saying...I’ve still got a lot of work to do in this area!!! More running. Less talk...
Jim Bales
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Day 26
Will you take the first step home?
It’s amazing to me how hitting rock bottom almost always brings about the kind of wisdom one needs before the journey to the bottom began.
When it was more than I could handle I called Mom. I was exhausted. I had used up all my extra emotional energy. All I could smell was manure and something like the bottom of a trash can. You know the one. The one where we take all the trash from the house. And sometime within the last month one of the bags must have been breached. The smell is excruciating! With each trip out with the day’s trash you hold your breath, open fast, throw and then run other direction. So, I’m not sure if it’s humility or just common sense that helps us take the first step home.
Mom had confronted me and loved me and continued to care for me while I was running. And when I could not hold my breath any longer I called home. After confessing I was immediately breathing new air -the kind I wanted to breath all along. This air is different. You walk into it and you want to stay. You breath long and deep.
I love the song, “This is the air I breath, Your holy presence, living in me. And I, I’m desperate for You. And I, I’m lost without You.”
God, help us to smell the air around us. And if it’s foul, if it’s not Your smell, I pray you would give us wisdom, humility and courage to take the first step toward home. In Jesus name, amen.
Nathan Tillotson
It’s amazing to me how hitting rock bottom almost always brings about the kind of wisdom one needs before the journey to the bottom began.
When it was more than I could handle I called Mom. I was exhausted. I had used up all my extra emotional energy. All I could smell was manure and something like the bottom of a trash can. You know the one. The one where we take all the trash from the house. And sometime within the last month one of the bags must have been breached. The smell is excruciating! With each trip out with the day’s trash you hold your breath, open fast, throw and then run other direction. So, I’m not sure if it’s humility or just common sense that helps us take the first step home.
Mom had confronted me and loved me and continued to care for me while I was running. And when I could not hold my breath any longer I called home. After confessing I was immediately breathing new air -the kind I wanted to breath all along. This air is different. You walk into it and you want to stay. You breath long and deep.
I love the song, “This is the air I breath, Your holy presence, living in me. And I, I’m desperate for You. And I, I’m lost without You.”
God, help us to smell the air around us. And if it’s foul, if it’s not Your smell, I pray you would give us wisdom, humility and courage to take the first step toward home. In Jesus name, amen.
Nathan Tillotson
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