The Grace Of A Father

APR 11 - APR 17 2010 — THE GRACE OF A FATHER — ISSUE 149

It's official, I'm getting old. Today while doing laundry, (Yes, men can do laundry if needed. Just don't ask me if I separated colors...) I watched some of the Masters. That's The Masters, as in golf. As in, the sport usually only middle-to-old-aged men watch and the one sport on TV that young men will be so bored with they'd rather do anything. Even laundry. Had I just turned it on for background noise I'd declare this a circumstantial faux pas. I turned it on to see how it was unfolding on the final day, though, which means I may as well go buy some Werther's candy and a bath robe and make my new status official. But speaking of slightly older men, Dad's are sort of the subject of Today's C.

EZEKIEL 16:4-6a - NIV

One of my favorite scriptures about God's nature is this one from Ezekiel. (Check out the entire chapter for the full passage) To me it is one of the most intimate looks at God's love for us, our relationship with Him, and, if you read it through, the ugly truth about our conduct and inner nature. Israel's disobedience was disgraceful, but it parallels our society, and in a lot of ways, our lives right down to the dirty details. But God's heart to take care of us, to raise us like a loving Father and wanting nothing but the best for us, is the backbone to understanding grace.

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Luke 11, He directed them, and us, to refer to God as Father, setting the tone for how our relationship with Him functions. As a person who struggles with grace —the idea that I can be forgiven time and time again for wronging someone— the only context I've ever heard it put in that makes sense is the father, son relationship. Growing up, there were times I know my dad was upset and disappointed with me. (His hand on my backside was a healthy dose of reality and a pretty sure way to tell when I'd done something he didn't approve of.) But even though I knew I'd upset him, I also knew it wouldn't make him love me any less. It wouldn't cause him to disown me, or to forever cut ties. Some wounds may take longer to heal and perhaps alter our interaction, but I always knew I could depend on him for his support and love regardless of how bad I messed up.

JONAH 4:2b - NIV

The very reason Jonah was upset with God was because of this same mentality. God is gracious beyond our wildest comprehension, and like any good father, His love for us will override our darkest moments.

Don't let anything you've done destroy your relationship with God. Don't let it cloud your mind and hinder your confidence to stand before His thrown. He's Dad, firm in His beliefs and disappointable, but His love, support, compassion, help, and open arms await when we turn from our rebellious ways. The key is that we have to be the ones to come home. He didn't go anywhere, we did. But if we're too proud, or scared, or ashamed to come back, we not only mark our own grave, but we also break our Father's heart. Losing a child is the worst tragedy in life, and He gave one up to gain the rest back. Don't ever think He's finally through with you. The idea that He wants us with Him more than He wants to punish us is hard to comprehend at times, but that's God; a being beyond us in every way imaginable. (Isaiah 55:8)

He said to us, "Live!", not so that we can wallow in our pity and disgrace over our failures and mistakes, but so we can rejoice and live freely. And in doing so we can share that love with the world, pointing them in the direction of home where their Dad awaits with open arms — bathrobe, hard candy, golf on and all.

EZEKIEL 33:14-16 - NIV

THINGS TO NOTE: Family Group Midweek at Mike's // Pre-Teen Bowling Party // Single's Event in two weeks

THIS WEEK:

Monday - was the 12th of April. Yeesh time be flying.

Tuesday- Pray for our brethren in Haiti and Chile who still have a long way to go in their recovery

Wednesday – Family Group 7:00 Midweek at the Mike's (See directions below)

Thursday – Dig deep in your quiet time

Friday- Normal 7:30 Bible Talk

Saturday – Pre-Teen Bowling Party

Sunday - Normal 10:00 Sunday Service at the MSC

Brett "My robe will be have flames and guns on it, making it the manliest robe ever" Hibbler