40 Days in the Desert

Frank

GM emerged from bankruptcy today, 40 days after being forced there by the administration (although they were doomed to head there eventually). So how well did they do facing temptation in the desert?

When tempted to turn a stone to bread, they resisted and got rid of the stone (Hummer and the pebble Saturn).

When tempted to throw themselves from the temple, they threw Pontiac overboard. (at the cost of the sweet Solstice and the much-improved G6)

When tempted to bow at the altar of the government bailout, they quickly got on their knees. But to their credit, they plan on paying the government back well before the 2015 deadline.

So, GM and the Detroit auto-industry isn’t Jesus after all. Which really comes as no surprise. But I just needed an excuse to link this story from last December, right before two of the Big Three fell. And steal the above picture from Salguod. That and I found it interesting that the news made such a big deal about it being 40 days. Better than 40 years, right?

40 Days in the Desert

Frank

GM emerged from bankruptcy today, 40 days after being forced there by the administration (although they were doomed to head there eventually). So how well did they do facing temptation in the desert?

When tempted to turn a stone to bread, they resisted and got rid of the stone (Hummer and the pebble Saturn).

When tempted to throw themselves from the temple, they threw Pontiac overboard. (at the cost of the sweet Solstice and the much-improved G6)

When tempted to bow at the altar of the government bailout, they quickly got on their knees. But to their credit, they plan on paying the government back well before the 2015 deadline.

So, GM and the Detroit auto-industry isn’t Jesus after all. Which really comes as no surprise. But I just needed an excuse to link this story from last December, right before two of the Big Three fell. And steal the above picture from Salguod. That and I found it interesting that the news made such a big deal about it being 40 days. Better than 40 years, right?

God Bless America?

Frank

For the warm-fuzzy 4th of July posts, check here and here.

I’m not going write a post dripping with patriotism, devoting more to my country than to my Lord. Instead I want us to consider brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe. Are we more blessed than they? Does God love us more because we’re “proud to be an American”? (ha, now you have that song in your head, don’t you?) Paul wrote to the Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28) In today’s terms, there is neither Iranian nor American…

Last week my congregation raised over $100,000, a majority of which to be shared with churches we support in the Baltic and Nordic countries. The Baltic countries like Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are former Warsaw Pact countries and Soviet States. Just a short time ago, they were our enemies. And now we worship along side them, united in Christ. Again I ask, are we more blessed than they? Did God suddenly begin to love them once they rejected communism?

Turning our attention back to our own country, it is easy to see we are far from perfect. We have political deadlocks, economic turmoil, sexual scandals and often those fall under a single headline. Does God love us more just because we Pledge Allegiance to the Flag? The phrase “one nation under God” was added to distinguish our country from “Godless communism”. Some have tried to have that phrase removed, just like the words “In God We Trust” on our currency, or “God Bless America” at the end of nearly every political speech. But if that phrase was removed from the Pledge, I don’t think I’d recite it. Saying one nation under God puts things in proper order. God comes first. Without that phrase, I’m violating what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.” (Matthew 5:33-36) Now a ‘pledge’ isn’t an oath, but to my conscience it’s too close for comfort.

Would that then make me unpatriotic? A similar dilemma exists in our religious politics. Am I less than a Christian if I vote a certain way? There’s a unfortunate trend that’s dominated our politics in recent years, and that’s a sense of entitlement, of blessing, based on our own sense of righteousness. Take the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Was that because New Orleans ‘endorsed’ homosexuality by allowing a parade? Some would think so. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. I’m not about to put a motive behind anything that God does. But does God owe us blessings? Does he owe us curses if we don’t abide by his Law? Last I checked, his Covenant was with the Nation of Israel and we’re under a New Covenant now in Christ. Our country does not have a covenant with God. We as a people, as a church, his Kingdom on Earth, do. And that Kingdom knows no borders, no flag. I can worship right alongside my enemy because we are one in Christ.

That’s not to say that I won’t watch fireworks or wave a flag. I will celebrate the 4th, but with the understanding to what kingdom my allegiance ultimately lies.

Referring to Abraham and his descendants, “People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.” (Hebrews 11:14-16a, emphasis added)

God Bless America?

Frank

For the warm-fuzzy 4th of July posts, check here and here.

I’m not going write a post dripping with patriotism, devoting more to my country than to my Lord. Instead I want us to consider brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe. Are we more blessed than they? Does God love us more because we’re “proud to be an American”? (ha, now you have that song in your head, don’t you?) Paul wrote to the Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28) In today’s terms, there is neither Iranian nor American…

Last week my congregation raised over $100,000, a majority of which to be shared with churches we support in the Baltic and Nordic countries. The Baltic countries like Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are former Warsaw Pact countries and Soviet States. Just a short time ago, they were our enemies. And now we worship along side them, united in Christ. Again I ask, are we more blessed than they? Did God suddenly begin to love them once they rejected communism?

Turning our attention back to our own country, it is easy to see we are far from perfect. We have political deadlocks, economic turmoil, sexual scandals and often those fall under a single headline. Does God love us more just because we Pledge Allegiance to the Flag? The phrase “one nation under God” was added to distinguish our country from “Godless communism”. Some have tried to have that phrase removed, just like the words “In God We Trust” on our currency, or “God Bless America” at the end of nearly every political speech. But if that phrase was removed from the Pledge, I don’t think I’d recite it. Saying one nation under God puts things in proper order. God comes first. Without that phrase, I’m violating what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.” (Matthew 5:33-36) Now a ‘pledge’ isn’t an oath, but to my conscience it’s too close for comfort.

Would that then make me unpatriotic? A similar dilemma exists in our religious politics. Am I less than a Christian if I vote a certain way? There’s a unfortunate trend that’s dominated our politics in recent years, and that’s a sense of entitlement, of blessing, based on our own sense of righteousness. Take the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Was that because New Orleans ‘endorsed’ homosexuality by allowing a parade? Some would think so. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. I’m not about to put a motive behind anything that God does. But does God owe us blessings? Does he owe us curses if we don’t abide by his Law? Last I checked, his Covenant was with the Nation of Israel and we’re under a New Covenant now in Christ. Our country does not have a covenant with God. We as a people, as a church, his Kingdom on Earth, do. And that Kingdom knows no borders, no flag. I can worship right alongside my enemy because we are one in Christ.

That’s not to say that I won’t watch fireworks or wave a flag. I will celebrate the 4th, but with the understanding to what kingdom my allegiance ultimately lies.

Referring to Abraham and his descendants, “People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.” (Hebrews 11:14-16a, emphasis added)

Burn Out

Frank

A while back I wrote about my family as a ministry with the intention of following up on that post later. When I started writing that post, the goal was to talk more about the last part (ministry burning us out) than the first (defining my ministry)- a classic case of the Spirit leading me somewhere else than where I was planning to go. So here I am more than a month later, reminded of the need to bring this up by Chip Ingram’s most recent blog leading into his current series at Living On The Edge. The Holy Spirit was definately moving because I read his post right after reading Matthew 11:25-30 in my Quiet Time.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30)

If you look around at today’s Church, you could argue that the above passage cannot realistically be true. Far too many disciples of Jesus are burned out and you can understand why. Tuesday I studied the topic of grace with the teen I mentor. I described grace in the context of not being “treat[ed] as our sins deserve” (Psalm 103:10) as the most recognized form of grace. But we forget the other side of the coin, that we cannot earn God’s love or forgiveness (examples: 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, Romans 3:22-24, Ephesians 3:7, and of course Ephesians 2:6-9). There’s nothing more we can do that Jesus hasn’t already done. But we live in a performance-driven society when the most common trait among the successful is “drive”. So we burn ourselves out doing more and more “in the name of Jesus” to try and be better and better. But it doesn’t work that way.

So what do we do if our ministry is burning us out?

1) Get Away. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a). Bob Beltz, the author of Becoming a Man of Prayer, was motivated to write that book after taking a 21-day retreat in “silence and solitude”. Imagine how much closer to God you’d be after such a “date with God.” 21 days isn’t realistic for most of us, but we can definitely spare a Saturday morning. Don’t busy yourself, spend time alone with God.

2) Get the Sabbath. I heard once in a lesson that if we don’t take the Sabbath, the Sabbath will take us. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) Don’t fill your Sundays with being busy- meeting after meeting after meeting. Take the time off. Worship God. Enjoy your family.

3) Get Help. The issue of Discipleship Journal I mentioned in that previous post had a section dedicated to “Soul Care for Spiritual Leaders”. Unfortunately, they don’t offer all their articles online to link. But the section written by Gordon MacDonald focused on spiritual elders teaching younger disciples from their own experiences dealing with burning out. The opposite is true: find someone who has faced the same challenges and seek advice.

4) Get On Your Knees. “Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray.” (James 5:13ff) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) ‘Nuff said.

5) Get Grace. This is a biggie. If we don’t understand God’s unconditional love for us we will always be tempted to burn ourselves out to please him. In Chip’s blog that I linked, he relates a lesson from one of his theology professors, “Students, the wisdom of God tells us that God will bring about the best possible results, by the best possible means, for the most possible people, for the longest possible time.” That is only true because God wants the best for us, even when we are not at our best. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) That is Grace.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Burn Out

Frank

A while back I wrote about my family as a ministry with the intention of following up on that post later. When I started writing that post, the goal was to talk more about the last part (ministry burning us out) than the first (defining my ministry)- a classic case of the Spirit leading me somewhere else than where I was planning to go. So here I am more than a month later, reminded of the need to bring this up by Chip Ingram’s most recent blog leading into his current series at Living On The Edge. The Holy Spirit was definately moving because I read his post right after reading Matthew 11:25-30 in my Quiet Time.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30)

If you look around at today’s Church, you could argue that the above passage cannot realistically be true. Far too many disciples of Jesus are burned out and you can understand why. Tuesday I studied the topic of grace with the teen I mentor. I described grace in the context of not being “treat[ed] as our sins deserve” (Psalm 103:10) as the most recognized form of grace. But we forget the other side of the coin, that we cannot earn God’s love or forgiveness (examples: 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, Romans 3:22-24, Ephesians 3:7, and of course Ephesians 2:6-9). There’s nothing more we can do that Jesus hasn’t already done. But we live in a performance-driven society when the most common trait among the successful is “drive”. So we burn ourselves out doing more and more “in the name of Jesus” to try and be better and better. But it doesn’t work that way.

So what do we do if our ministry is burning us out?

1) Get Away. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a). Bob Beltz, the author of Becoming a Man of Prayer, was motivated to write that book after taking a 21-day retreat in “silence and solitude”. Imagine how much closer to God you’d be after such a “date with God.” 21 days isn’t realistic for most of us, but we can definitely spare a Saturday morning. Don’t busy yourself, spend time alone with God.

2) Get the Sabbath. I heard once in a lesson that if we don’t take the Sabbath, the Sabbath will take us. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) Don’t fill your Sundays with being busy- meeting after meeting after meeting. Take the time off. Worship God. Enjoy your family.

3) Get Help. The issue of Discipleship Journal I mentioned in that previous post had a section dedicated to “Soul Care for Spiritual Leaders”. Unfortunately, they don’t offer all their articles online to link. But the section written by Gordon MacDonald focused on spiritual elders teaching younger disciples from their own experiences dealing with burning out. The opposite is true: find someone who has faced the same challenges and seek advice.

4) Get On Your Knees. “Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray.” (James 5:13ff) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) ‘Nuff said.

5) Get Grace. This is a biggie. If we don’t understand God’s unconditional love for us we will always be tempted to burn ourselves out to please him. In Chip’s blog that I linked, he relates a lesson from one of his theology professors, “Students, the wisdom of God tells us that God will bring about the best possible results, by the best possible means, for the most possible people, for the longest possible time.” That is only true because God wants the best for us, even when we are not at our best. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) That is Grace.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

That’s Just Jesus Being Jesus

Frank

Today Manny Ramirez will begin a ‘rehab’ assignment with the Albuquerque Isotopes (I miss the Dukes, but love the Simpsons, so I’m conflicted) after serving a 50 game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Steroid policy. For some reason, ESPN is going to give us each of his at-bats. As far as I know, this is the first time ESPN has had such media coverage of a rehab stint. But you know, it’s just Manny being Manny.

That’s a quote, from him speaking in third person, in response to criticism of his play with the Boston Red Sox. If you don’t follow baseball as religiously as I do, I’ll give you the quick summary. Manny Ramirez reported late for Spring Training and loafed for half a season in an effort to force a trade from the Red Sox last year. The Dodgers were the only takers. Even after he lead the Dodgers in a surge to the playoffs and a first round sweep of the Cubs (weep), the Dodgers were reluctant to re-sign him for this season. Contract negotiations dragged through Spring Training before being resolved and Manny played almost a month before being suspended for using Performance Enhancing Drugs. The other day I was in a local Wal-Mart and saw on many clothes racks t-shirts with the saying ‘Manny’s Back!’. Everybody loves him, even though everybody hates him.

But that’s just Manny being Manny. It goes to show that you are what you do. At work, someone could say of me, “that’s just Frank being Frank.” At home my wife could say the same thing. The question is though, is the “Frank being Frank” at work the same Frank as home? Is Manny being Manny the same Manny all the time? In both cases, it should be.

One of my favorite Proverbs is Proverbs 12:17 which reads, “A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.” It’s so simple it took a commentary to help me figure out what it means. It simply means our character is reflected by what we do. So Manny Ramirez is a cheater not just by baseball policy, but also in character (as evidenced by his departure from the Red Sox). So when I lose my temper at home, or slack off at work, that’s my character. And those parts of my character are in need of repentance. We should forgive Manny for being Manny, but we should not accept Manny for being Manny. Baseball fans are willing to forgive (see Jason Giambi) but ESPN wants to force us to accept. I’m sorry, but acceptance won’t change until the character changes.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16) In other words, don’t say you’re something you’re not. Don’t call yourself a Christian and not act like it. If you’re truthful, you will be honest. And if you’re Manny, you’ll be Manny. I hope by the end of my life someone will say of me “that’s just Frank being Jesus.”

That’s Just Jesus Being Jesus

Frank

Today Manny Ramirez will begin a ‘rehab’ assignment with the Albuquerque Isotopes (I miss the Dukes, but love the Simpsons, so I’m conflicted) after serving a 50 game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Steroid policy. For some reason, ESPN is going to give us each of his at-bats. As far as I know, this is the first time ESPN has had such media coverage of a rehab stint. But you know, it’s just Manny being Manny.

That’s a quote, from him speaking in third person, in response to criticism of his play with the Boston Red Sox. If you don’t follow baseball as religiously as I do, I’ll give you the quick summary. Manny Ramirez reported late for Spring Training and loafed for half a season in an effort to force a trade from the Red Sox last year. The Dodgers were the only takers. Even after he lead the Dodgers in a surge to the playoffs and a first round sweep of the Cubs (weep), the Dodgers were reluctant to re-sign him for this season. Contract negotiations dragged through Spring Training before being resolved and Manny played almost a month before being suspended for using Performance Enhancing Drugs. The other day I was in a local Wal-Mart and saw on many clothes racks t-shirts with the saying ‘Manny’s Back!’. Everybody loves him, even though everybody hates him.

But that’s just Manny being Manny. It goes to show that you are what you do. At work, someone could say of me, “that’s just Frank being Frank.” At home my wife could say the same thing. The question is though, is the “Frank being Frank” at work the same Frank as home? Is Manny being Manny the same Manny all the time? In both cases, it should be.

One of my favorite Proverbs is Proverbs 12:17 which reads, “A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.” It’s so simple it took a commentary to help me figure out what it means. It simply means our character is reflected by what we do. So Manny Ramirez is a cheater not just by baseball policy, but also in character (as evidenced by his departure from the Red Sox). So when I lose my temper at home, or slack off at work, that’s my character. And those parts of my character are in need of repentance. We should forgive Manny for being Manny, but we should not accept Manny for being Manny. Baseball fans are willing to forgive (see Jason Giambi) but ESPN wants to force us to accept. I’m sorry, but acceptance won’t change until the character changes.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16) In other words, don’t say you’re something you’re not. Don’t call yourself a Christian and not act like it. If you’re truthful, you will be honest. And if you’re Manny, you’ll be Manny. I hope by the end of my life someone will say of me “that’s just Frank being Jesus.”

Who’s Your Daddy?

Frank

“So God created man in his own image…” (Gen 1:27) There are a lot of ways to take this meaning. I grew up understanding that this meant I had an eternal, divine soul. I also believed because of this that all people are inherently good. Then I grew older, actually read the book of Romans, and learned this is not the case. Another way of looking at this verse is that our character reflect the character of God.

It was a novel, in fact controversial, idea when Jesus introduced the Lord’s Prayer with the words “Our Father…” (Mt 6:9) and when he said “I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” (Jn 8:18, emphasis added) he was speaking blasphemy. But it is clear from the Gospels that we can look at the God in Heaven as ‘Father’. If we are created in his image, and that means we share his character, then as fathers shouldn’t we look to his example for fatherhood?

There’s a lot in the Bible that we can turn to, and I encourage you to study this out on your own. But I want to call attention to two of Jesus’ parables to grasp a description of the father that I believe is central to fatherhood.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!” (Mt 7:9-11)

“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.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (From the parable of the Prodigal Son, Lk 15:20b-24)

If you don’t know the story, the Prodigal Son asks for his inheritance early, runs off and blows it all, feels ashamed about it and comes home. This is where I pick up the story.

What these parables have in common is unconditional love. That’s hard as a father. My son is in the “fearful Fours” (though I’ve heard different versions of that first f-word, if you know what I mean). When he’s being especially disobedient and is disciplined, he’s quick to lash out in anger, “I don’t like you!” The first few times he did that it hurt me greatly. But then I understood that he didn’t mean it. I forgave him. He continues to say that from time to time. And each time I tell him that it hurts, but I understand and forgive him.

Isn’t this that attitude that God has towards us? We sin, and sin, and sin. We reject him daily, only turning to him when we’re in trouble. Yet we want everything he has to offer us. So what does God do? He tells us, “I understand. I forgive you. I love you.”

It doesn’t take my son long to get over his anger with me. Just the other night we were butting heads and clashing wills. After some time to cool off he comes up to me and told me, “I always like you.” I was surprised! It wasn’t ten minutes earlier that he told me the opposite! He surprised me again last night when he told me out of the blue, “You’re always my friend.” There’s no better Father’s Day present I could ever get. I pray this is always true.

Who’s Your Daddy?

Frank

“So God created man in his own image…” (Gen 1:27) There are a lot of ways to take this meaning. I grew up understanding that this meant I had an eternal, divine soul. I also believed because of this that all people are inherently good. Then I grew older, actually read the book of Romans, and learned this is not the case. Another way of looking at this verse is that our character reflect the character of God.

It was a novel, in fact controversial, idea when Jesus introduced the Lord’s Prayer with the words “Our Father…” (Mt 6:9) and when he said “I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” (Jn 8:18, emphasis added) he was speaking blasphemy. But it is clear from the Gospels that we can look at the God in Heaven as ‘Father’. If we are created in his image, and that means we share his character, then as fathers shouldn’t we look to his example for fatherhood?

There’s a lot in the Bible that we can turn to, and I encourage you to study this out on your own. But I want to call attention to two of Jesus’ parables to grasp a description of the father that I believe is central to fatherhood.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!” (Mt 7:9-11)

“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.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (From the parable of the Prodigal Son, Lk 15:20b-24)

If you don’t know the story, the Prodigal Son asks for his inheritance early, runs off and blows it all, feels ashamed about it and comes home. This is where I pick up the story.

What these parables have in common is unconditional love. That’s hard as a father. My son is in the “fearful Fours” (though I’ve heard different versions of that first f-word, if you know what I mean). When he’s being especially disobedient and is disciplined, he’s quick to lash out in anger, “I don’t like you!” The first few times he did that it hurt me greatly. But then I understood that he didn’t mean it. I forgave him. He continues to say that from time to time. And each time I tell him that it hurts, but I understand and forgive him.

Isn’t this that attitude that God has towards us? We sin, and sin, and sin. We reject him daily, only turning to him when we’re in trouble. Yet we want everything he has to offer us. So what does God do? He tells us, “I understand. I forgive you. I love you.”

It doesn’t take my son long to get over his anger with me. Just the other night we were butting heads and clashing wills. After some time to cool off he comes up to me and told me, “I always like you.” I was surprised! It wasn’t ten minutes earlier that he told me the opposite! He surprised me again last night when he told me out of the blue, “You’re always my friend.” There’s no better Father’s Day present I could ever get. I pray this is always true.