So, I got up, showered, shaved and and drank large amounts of coffee. Then I went to church. It was Christmas Day. The Body met at 1000. It was much the same as the Saturday night service with some minor changes. I sat with an Angel, which was appropriate for Christmas Day. I then went home and sliced the eggnog cheesecake and waited for the appropriate time to leave for Alison's. Took the Dog outside, even though it was raining, had a cup of coffee. I need coffee or I'm worthless.
I finally packed up the cheesecake and headed to my cousin's house. There was a good crowd. Some Brady's (Robinson's) were missing as they are in the process of moving to Denver. Others were celebrating with their new family units which is expected and quite OK. I was fortunate enough to be invited to my cousin's house where the traditional Brady Christmas meal was served.
What is the traditional Brady Christmas meal you ask???
It's spaghetti and meatballs with Italian sausage, Romano cheese and a sauce that is to die for. My Aunt Mary Ellen initiated the tradition many years ago. As you might expect, she was of Italian dissent, second generation. She had a family recipe that she has made for us Irish for years. It is Da Bomb. Very good. She took off to see Jesus in the Fall, but my Uncle learned the trade well and so provided the sauce. He has a variation on it that is just a bit spicier and I love it.
There was also wine this year. It was very good. I suspect there is wine every year, but I can't prove that. I believe there was a concern that we would be offended...'we' being my parents. I would not have been offended. Dennis and Laurie...well that's another issue. Dad claims never to have had a drink in his life. And even though Mom is gone now, I know for a fact that she enjoyed the occasional adult beverage, at least in her early adult years. Whatever. I have been of a mind that it's really a lot of bullshoi anyway. Enjoying wine or an adult beverage is not a sin. I think the whole fundie Christian thing about alcohol grows out of the temperance movement in the 19th century anyway and we all know what that lead to....feminism. So Christian, raise a glass. Enjoy. I did.
The family fellowship was good too. My family is the best. They are smart, they are funny, they are talented and they love Jesus. What more could you want in a family right? I love y'all
Jesus, I know it was most likely not your actual birthday, but since we don't know when that was (probably in September around high holidays), I hope you had a good birthday. I still can't get past God having a birthday...You are so intense. It makes a man's brain hurt. Thanks for coming. Hope to see You soon. Maranatha!
Monday, December 26, 2016
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Dennis
So, to the question I get asked everywhere I go, here is an answer.
Dad is OK. Not good, not bad, but in a good place. It's true that he does not eat much or drink enough water. It is true that he does not cooperate with his physical therapists. But he does have a certain peace about him right now that I cannot explain. He is learning to scoot around pretty good in his wheel chair. He likes to hang around at the nurses station and he always seems to know me when I arrive. He told a passing stranger yesterday that I was his little boy. She surely thought I was old enough to be a fellow inmate. Whatever.
I would not call him settled. I would not say he is getting any better. I'm not even sure he knows where he is at. But he does not seem unhappy either. This works for me. I am not dissatisfied with this outcome.
If you are out and about and in the neighborhood, stop by to see him. Parkridge is just west of New Life Church on the same street. He will always greet you, even if he does not know who you are. His roommate's name is Earl Stone. Earl is a bit of a character. You will like him. I'm not sure Dad knows Earl is there, but that's OK. Many at Parkridge are not cognizant of the others that are present. It's a very peaceful place for that reason I am sure.
Dad is OK. Not good, not bad, but in a good place. It's true that he does not eat much or drink enough water. It is true that he does not cooperate with his physical therapists. But he does have a certain peace about him right now that I cannot explain. He is learning to scoot around pretty good in his wheel chair. He likes to hang around at the nurses station and he always seems to know me when I arrive. He told a passing stranger yesterday that I was his little boy. She surely thought I was old enough to be a fellow inmate. Whatever.
I would not call him settled. I would not say he is getting any better. I'm not even sure he knows where he is at. But he does not seem unhappy either. This works for me. I am not dissatisfied with this outcome.
If you are out and about and in the neighborhood, stop by to see him. Parkridge is just west of New Life Church on the same street. He will always greet you, even if he does not know who you are. His roommate's name is Earl Stone. Earl is a bit of a character. You will like him. I'm not sure Dad knows Earl is there, but that's OK. Many at Parkridge are not cognizant of the others that are present. It's a very peaceful place for that reason I am sure.
Sorry You Missed Me...Merry Flippin Christmas
It's been a busy week; seven days since I last posted. I will try to crank out a few this weekend to make up for lost time. My life is changing. I used to get up in the morning and rush out of the house to go write at Caribou Coffee and escape my father at the same time. After that, I would go to work. Now I get up in the morning and rush over to Parkridge to see him before work. Work has been a bitch and so there was not much time in between to get the writing done. Things should improve steadily next week....I hope. Next year, I will officially become a short timer..I'm thinking about staying as a part time employee to keep my insurance, but I really don't want to. We will see what develops. I think I just need to be out of there. I hate it.
It's Christmas Eve. When I was a kid, we always had our Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve. Me, Dennis and Laurie and assorted Grandparents, usually Pauline and Lloyd. It was an 'only child' Christmas that would net me much booty. The result was a rather distorted view of what Christmas was supposed to be about. Over the years, I began to get the real picture. We were not doing it right. Even so, it continued for decades. Now, not so much.
There is peace, quiet and contentment on Christmas Eve. Mom has moved on to Paradise and Dad is in his waiting room at Parkidge.
To say that my years with Dennis and Laurie burned me out on Christmas, might be understatement. Even so, my Mom always loved the holiday. She loved decorating the house. Multiple Christmas trees, hand made ornaments from years gone by, some made by yours truly. Throughout all of it Dad remained silent. All the sentiment made him uncomfortable. I think feelings and emotions in general did that to him as well as the season itself. It's odd how it worked. Mom would bend over backwards to make it enjoyable for everyone. Dad would be stoic about the whole thing and as I got older, I did not really care, so it became difficult for her too.
Christmas Day in my earliest recollection, was normally spent at the house of grandparents. Later, we would have Christmas at my aunt and uncle's house - spaghetti dinner of the finest kind was offered. It's now offered at my cousin's house. I hope to attend on Sunday afternoon. It will be good I am sure.
I will be glad for the holidays to be over. In my present state, they are difficult in the extreme. They always make me feel rushed and they are tinged with guilt and I am not sure why. I try not to be melancholic at this time of year, but it's hard. Others, the Christmas people, seem to live for this season. I tend to think something is wrong with them. I suppose it could be me, but if you have ever had a Christmas person turn on you, you would know it was them. Just try to bring one of them back to earth from their Christmas high. You will find yourself categorized, named and stamped with a bad attitude sticker. You don't want to ruin a Christmas person's Christmas buzz. I think it's a sickness that only the New Year can cure, so don't harsh their mellow ok?
Here's to 2017. What will I be doing next Christmas? It could be an interesting year.
It's Christmas Eve. When I was a kid, we always had our Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve. Me, Dennis and Laurie and assorted Grandparents, usually Pauline and Lloyd. It was an 'only child' Christmas that would net me much booty. The result was a rather distorted view of what Christmas was supposed to be about. Over the years, I began to get the real picture. We were not doing it right. Even so, it continued for decades. Now, not so much.
There is peace, quiet and contentment on Christmas Eve. Mom has moved on to Paradise and Dad is in his waiting room at Parkidge.
To say that my years with Dennis and Laurie burned me out on Christmas, might be understatement. Even so, my Mom always loved the holiday. She loved decorating the house. Multiple Christmas trees, hand made ornaments from years gone by, some made by yours truly. Throughout all of it Dad remained silent. All the sentiment made him uncomfortable. I think feelings and emotions in general did that to him as well as the season itself. It's odd how it worked. Mom would bend over backwards to make it enjoyable for everyone. Dad would be stoic about the whole thing and as I got older, I did not really care, so it became difficult for her too.
Christmas Day in my earliest recollection, was normally spent at the house of grandparents. Later, we would have Christmas at my aunt and uncle's house - spaghetti dinner of the finest kind was offered. It's now offered at my cousin's house. I hope to attend on Sunday afternoon. It will be good I am sure.
I will be glad for the holidays to be over. In my present state, they are difficult in the extreme. They always make me feel rushed and they are tinged with guilt and I am not sure why. I try not to be melancholic at this time of year, but it's hard. Others, the Christmas people, seem to live for this season. I tend to think something is wrong with them. I suppose it could be me, but if you have ever had a Christmas person turn on you, you would know it was them. Just try to bring one of them back to earth from their Christmas high. You will find yourself categorized, named and stamped with a bad attitude sticker. You don't want to ruin a Christmas person's Christmas buzz. I think it's a sickness that only the New Year can cure, so don't harsh their mellow ok?
Here's to 2017. What will I be doing next Christmas? It could be an interesting year.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Dawn We Now Our Gay Apparel...I am so freakin' funny
I am going to say it once again. It's an annual thing with me. I absolutely hate the Christmas season. Andy Williams needs to tell the truth. It's the most miserable time of the year.
The single factor that makes it the most miserable for me is the quality of daylight. It is dark until 8 AM, then it's overcast and dim throughout the day and then it gets dark at 4:30 PM. It's so depressing. Maybe I need to live somewhere on the equator where the daylight hours are exactly 12.
Another factor that comes into play is work. The two weeks that are the absolute worst in my business calendar begins on Monday. It is going to be pure hell. Fourteen hour days and little sleep.
Then there is my father. He is in long term care right now. He recently had hip surgery. He has not fully recovered. It takes two people and a lift to get him on the toilet and some people think I should bring him to the family Christmas celebration. He could not even get in my truck. He could not even get into the Highlander. It would make him miserable because he still seems to have a lot of pain. I will not even be trying. I apologize. I just can't do that to him.
I also hate the furious, driven nature of the holiday. People are crazy this time of year, shopping till they drop and in a feeding frenzy. I was supposed to go to dinner with some friends Sunday night, but I backed out. It is going to be nasty cold. There will be hundreds of people out Christmas shopping and then cramming themselves into crowded restaurants before they go home.
I just feel trapped by it all. Thankfully, the day is coming when I will be able to leave Iowa at this time of year. Get the flock outta Dodge...
People change at this time of year. I know I do. They become more polite. They pretend an artificial kindness. Inversely, I become nauseated by it all and withdraw.
There are the Christmas people. The get all invigorated and full of life at this time of year, brimming with optimism, faux joy and materialism. The odd thing is that when someone like me expresses a need to be alone or offers that it might not be so much fun, the Christmas people start name calling and shaming.
SCROOGE!
Ya, real good. Someone is down and does not hold the same opinion as you do about the season and so you turn on them. Just great. Lighten up ok! It is not Jesus' birthday. Anyone that has studied history knows this, so back off. This is a pagan, materialistic holiday. The winter solstice and Saturnalia. The symbolism of the wreath, the Christmas tree, the mistletoe and the yule log all come from dead pagan religions. The cult of the sun was celebrated in the Roman empire at this time every year. Then a Roman emperor turned Christian decided to create a celebration of Christ's birth around the same time period so that everyone could have a few days off. The result was syncretism of Christianity and pagan cults. They did the same thing with resurrection Sunday (Easter to pagans) and the vernal equinox, but that will have to wait for another blog post.
There is also the cultural and economic elements of it. People want to feel good despite the lack of daylight so they give and expect presents and businesses are more than happy to take advantage of that. They start pushing Christmas in September. Show them Your Money! Ya, that's their Christmas cheer.
How about some consistency people? Give of yourself year round and expect nothing in return. That is what Jesus did. What better way to celebrate Jesus; but no, we can't do that.
All right all you Christmas Nazis, exchange your presents and move on. Merry Christmas to you. Now get out
(;^))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
The single factor that makes it the most miserable for me is the quality of daylight. It is dark until 8 AM, then it's overcast and dim throughout the day and then it gets dark at 4:30 PM. It's so depressing. Maybe I need to live somewhere on the equator where the daylight hours are exactly 12.
Another factor that comes into play is work. The two weeks that are the absolute worst in my business calendar begins on Monday. It is going to be pure hell. Fourteen hour days and little sleep.
Then there is my father. He is in long term care right now. He recently had hip surgery. He has not fully recovered. It takes two people and a lift to get him on the toilet and some people think I should bring him to the family Christmas celebration. He could not even get in my truck. He could not even get into the Highlander. It would make him miserable because he still seems to have a lot of pain. I will not even be trying. I apologize. I just can't do that to him.
I also hate the furious, driven nature of the holiday. People are crazy this time of year, shopping till they drop and in a feeding frenzy. I was supposed to go to dinner with some friends Sunday night, but I backed out. It is going to be nasty cold. There will be hundreds of people out Christmas shopping and then cramming themselves into crowded restaurants before they go home.
I just feel trapped by it all. Thankfully, the day is coming when I will be able to leave Iowa at this time of year. Get the flock outta Dodge...
People change at this time of year. I know I do. They become more polite. They pretend an artificial kindness. Inversely, I become nauseated by it all and withdraw.
There are the Christmas people. The get all invigorated and full of life at this time of year, brimming with optimism, faux joy and materialism. The odd thing is that when someone like me expresses a need to be alone or offers that it might not be so much fun, the Christmas people start name calling and shaming.
SCROOGE!
Ya, real good. Someone is down and does not hold the same opinion as you do about the season and so you turn on them. Just great. Lighten up ok! It is not Jesus' birthday. Anyone that has studied history knows this, so back off. This is a pagan, materialistic holiday. The winter solstice and Saturnalia. The symbolism of the wreath, the Christmas tree, the mistletoe and the yule log all come from dead pagan religions. The cult of the sun was celebrated in the Roman empire at this time every year. Then a Roman emperor turned Christian decided to create a celebration of Christ's birth around the same time period so that everyone could have a few days off. The result was syncretism of Christianity and pagan cults. They did the same thing with resurrection Sunday (Easter to pagans) and the vernal equinox, but that will have to wait for another blog post.
There is also the cultural and economic elements of it. People want to feel good despite the lack of daylight so they give and expect presents and businesses are more than happy to take advantage of that. They start pushing Christmas in September. Show them Your Money! Ya, that's their Christmas cheer.
How about some consistency people? Give of yourself year round and expect nothing in return. That is what Jesus did. What better way to celebrate Jesus; but no, we can't do that.
All right all you Christmas Nazis, exchange your presents and move on. Merry Christmas to you. Now get out
(;^))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Friday, December 16, 2016
Notes From the Wise - Solitude vs Living in Community
These verses speak for themselves I think. It is why I have chosen to never again be alone. I may live alone and unpartnered, but I intend to have partnership with friends and acquaintances for the rest of my life. I need them, and even if they won't say so, they need me. It is how the Body is supposed to function; in community, for accountability and for the communion of the Saints. These scriptures came by way of the Your Other Brothers website in a blog post by Matthew Ashijjhi. He is SSA and 20 something, but very wise in his own way. Please feel free to follow the link and read. Be warned, YOB is not for the uninitiated. These young men talk about most anything SSA through a Christian perspective and it might seem blunt or even offensive to those not accustomed to such openness.
Now to the Holy Wisdom...
Proverbs 18:1
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Proverbs 18:24
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Church, we need to live like this and work together like this. We must know each other if we are to succeed in our walk. Let me give you this challenge. If you know someone at church that seems to be isolating themselves, reach out to them. Come along side them. If you get rebuffed, try and try again to break the ice. Someone did this for me once and it made my blooms start to open. Perhaps that's a poor way to put it, but he has been my friend since that time. And if you are out there and need some companionship and brotherhood, then reach out Brother. Again, if there is a rebuff, do not give up. Push for the brotherhood that you are owed in Christ.
We need each other. Ya, there will be things we do not like about each other, but that's part of the deal. You lived in some kind of family right? Was it all roses and chocolate chip cookies? Get over it. Let's love each other.
Do not walk away from a brother in need and do not be afraid to reach out to others for a hand up the cliff. You know what I'm saying. See ya in church!
Now to the Holy Wisdom...
Proverbs 18:1
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Proverbs 18:24
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Church, we need to live like this and work together like this. We must know each other if we are to succeed in our walk. Let me give you this challenge. If you know someone at church that seems to be isolating themselves, reach out to them. Come along side them. If you get rebuffed, try and try again to break the ice. Someone did this for me once and it made my blooms start to open. Perhaps that's a poor way to put it, but he has been my friend since that time. And if you are out there and need some companionship and brotherhood, then reach out Brother. Again, if there is a rebuff, do not give up. Push for the brotherhood that you are owed in Christ.
We need each other. Ya, there will be things we do not like about each other, but that's part of the deal. You lived in some kind of family right? Was it all roses and chocolate chip cookies? Get over it. Let's love each other.
Do not walk away from a brother in need and do not be afraid to reach out to others for a hand up the cliff. You know what I'm saying. See ya in church!
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Dennis Update
I am not encouraged by what I saw today at Parkridge. Yesterday he was standing for a few seconds in physical therapy...he did it 3 times. Today I found him in bed and zonked out at about the same time. I spoke with the nurse. She says he will not eat much, drinks very little water and is getting dehydrated. I have seen this my self. And when you offer to help him eat or drink, he says he will do it himself and then never does. He has also developed a sore on his backside from sitting in a wheel chair too much. He had a bed sore when he was in the hospital, but that one has healed up.
He has also been asking me about Gramps...his dad and my grandfather. He passed in 2000. I remind him that Gramps is gone and he says, "I always forget that". Today when I reminded him, he said he missed him so much. My thought is "ya, who doesn't"
They got him out of bed while I was there and he was a bit agitated about the whole thing. A bit combative. He grabbed one of the aides by the throat. This is not good. Parkridge will kick him out if he starts doing that on a regular basis. The alternative is an Alzheimer's lock up in a different place. I hate the idea of moving him again. The last thing I told him was, "do what the nurses tell you to do". He said he would try. Obedience is not his strong suit. I understand now where I get it from.
Seeing him like this makes me realize more and more just how much I love him. There were a number of years during our lives together where that might have been in question for both of us. He was not the perfect father, and I was definitely not the perfect son.
I am glad we had this time in our lives together. It has been good for both of us. And Gramps is waiting for us on the other side. Yip. That's a good thing. I think sometimes, we try too hard to hang on to what we have here. I wonder if Dad is trying to let go of it and we just are not listening to him.
Lord, I'm never sure what you are thinking or what your plan is. I live in the here and now and you can see hither and beyond. Please help him to make a decision. If he wants to stay, then help him please to punch through the dementia fog and fight the pain. Help him to follow his physical therapy regimen and get up. Help him to walk again, even if it's with a walker. And Lord, if he wants to let go, help him with that too. If this is the plan, please take him quickly and with minimal suffering. Set him free. Perhaps I cry out for my sake because I hate to see him this way. I have no clue what you are doing with his spirit. If he needs some time, you would know that better than I. He never shares much of that sort of thing with me. Whatever happens, please bless him while he is here with us. Bend his spirit to yours. Let him dream of Gramps. In Your Name Lord, Amen.
He has also been asking me about Gramps...his dad and my grandfather. He passed in 2000. I remind him that Gramps is gone and he says, "I always forget that". Today when I reminded him, he said he missed him so much. My thought is "ya, who doesn't"
They got him out of bed while I was there and he was a bit agitated about the whole thing. A bit combative. He grabbed one of the aides by the throat. This is not good. Parkridge will kick him out if he starts doing that on a regular basis. The alternative is an Alzheimer's lock up in a different place. I hate the idea of moving him again. The last thing I told him was, "do what the nurses tell you to do". He said he would try. Obedience is not his strong suit. I understand now where I get it from.
Seeing him like this makes me realize more and more just how much I love him. There were a number of years during our lives together where that might have been in question for both of us. He was not the perfect father, and I was definitely not the perfect son.
I am glad we had this time in our lives together. It has been good for both of us. And Gramps is waiting for us on the other side. Yip. That's a good thing. I think sometimes, we try too hard to hang on to what we have here. I wonder if Dad is trying to let go of it and we just are not listening to him.
Lord, I'm never sure what you are thinking or what your plan is. I live in the here and now and you can see hither and beyond. Please help him to make a decision. If he wants to stay, then help him please to punch through the dementia fog and fight the pain. Help him to follow his physical therapy regimen and get up. Help him to walk again, even if it's with a walker. And Lord, if he wants to let go, help him with that too. If this is the plan, please take him quickly and with minimal suffering. Set him free. Perhaps I cry out for my sake because I hate to see him this way. I have no clue what you are doing with his spirit. If he needs some time, you would know that better than I. He never shares much of that sort of thing with me. Whatever happens, please bless him while he is here with us. Bend his spirit to yours. Let him dream of Gramps. In Your Name Lord, Amen.
Monday, December 12, 2016
What's Love Got To Do With It?
That was a popular Tina Turner song back in the Day. Whenever the Day was...
It turns out that love has everything to do with it. It is the only way we will enjoy any success in living the Christian life. If we love Jesus, everything else seems to fall in place. I jokingly advised a young high school graduate in his graduation card to "love Jesus, stay out of the bars and keep your pants on." But you know what? That's not really a joke. It's sound advise; wisdom for the current age. If we love Jesus, we want to be like Him.
Jesus Himself, pointed this out to His own people.
John 8:42-47
Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love me, and I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God has to say. The reason that you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
Wow. Jesus' own people that were expectant of a Messiah, could not accept Jesus, even though He spoke God's words. There are a number of reasons for this. Their interpretation of the Law and the prophets was not what it should have been. They were expecting a political and militaristic Messiah that would be concerned with freeing them from Roman servitude and bringing back the days of glory they enjoyed under David and Solomon. What they got though and what they were so strongly rejecting, was a Messiah that was interested in setting them free from their spiritual bondage to sin. This is not what they wanted. It is why they turned on Jesus in the end.
In this passage, Jesus points out the problem. They do not love Him and the reason for that is that they do not love His Father. They do not believe in Him because they do not believe in His Father. What they do believe in is the 'here and now' and their immediate material and political needs. To there minds, there is no sin issue, no need for a savior; they have the temple and sacrifice for that.
What they do not understand is that Jesus can release them from their need for the law, if they believe in and love him. He can free them from their sin to live as God's people.
I do not relish saying this, but there are many Christians today that are in the same place as these Jews. While we do not reject Christ, we are not entirely in love with Him and His Father. We love the things of this world more. We like the idea of Jesus, His grace, His love for us; but we do not quite get the rest of it.
If we love Jesus, we will love His Father and we will be obedient. Love and faith produces obedience and trust.
So Christian, do you love Jesus and obey Him? Or do you like the idea of Jesus and being forgiven, but feel like you can do what you want because of His grace? Ya...are you a Christ follower or a Christ user?
Who is your father? Is it Yahweh or the prince of this world?
God's grace is for the repentant. The repentant turn away from their sin.
So what's love got to do with it??? Everything.
It turns out that love has everything to do with it. It is the only way we will enjoy any success in living the Christian life. If we love Jesus, everything else seems to fall in place. I jokingly advised a young high school graduate in his graduation card to "love Jesus, stay out of the bars and keep your pants on." But you know what? That's not really a joke. It's sound advise; wisdom for the current age. If we love Jesus, we want to be like Him.
Jesus Himself, pointed this out to His own people.
John 8:42-47
Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love me, and I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God has to say. The reason that you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
Wow. Jesus' own people that were expectant of a Messiah, could not accept Jesus, even though He spoke God's words. There are a number of reasons for this. Their interpretation of the Law and the prophets was not what it should have been. They were expecting a political and militaristic Messiah that would be concerned with freeing them from Roman servitude and bringing back the days of glory they enjoyed under David and Solomon. What they got though and what they were so strongly rejecting, was a Messiah that was interested in setting them free from their spiritual bondage to sin. This is not what they wanted. It is why they turned on Jesus in the end.
In this passage, Jesus points out the problem. They do not love Him and the reason for that is that they do not love His Father. They do not believe in Him because they do not believe in His Father. What they do believe in is the 'here and now' and their immediate material and political needs. To there minds, there is no sin issue, no need for a savior; they have the temple and sacrifice for that.
What they do not understand is that Jesus can release them from their need for the law, if they believe in and love him. He can free them from their sin to live as God's people.
I do not relish saying this, but there are many Christians today that are in the same place as these Jews. While we do not reject Christ, we are not entirely in love with Him and His Father. We love the things of this world more. We like the idea of Jesus, His grace, His love for us; but we do not quite get the rest of it.
If we love Jesus, we will love His Father and we will be obedient. Love and faith produces obedience and trust.
So Christian, do you love Jesus and obey Him? Or do you like the idea of Jesus and being forgiven, but feel like you can do what you want because of His grace? Ya...are you a Christ follower or a Christ user?
Who is your father? Is it Yahweh or the prince of this world?
God's grace is for the repentant. The repentant turn away from their sin.
So what's love got to do with it??? Everything.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)