The Prodigal Son returns home

I was watching two movies recently, and a small point mentioned in the stories I deem as antichristian. Both of these stories had Christian Parents, which were unforgiving to their daughters when they messed up by becoming pregnant.   In both movies young teenagers were shunned and left to fend for themselves.   Of course these movies were created from the vantage point of a secular mind set  – which seek to display Christians in the worst possible light.   So my question is; How do Christian Parents really deal with their children?  Do we shun them when they make serious mistakes?   

When I was young I remember seriously disappointing my father.  I was so ashamed of myself and I remember wondering if my Dad would ever forgive me.  I came home and noted that the front door was locked (it was never locked).   I finally mustered up the courage, took a deep breath and rang the door bell.   My father answered the door.   I asked him if we could talk and we sat on the porch. With tears in my eyes, I told him I was sorry, and that I messed up.   What did he do?  Shun me? No, instead he brought up the story which Jesus taught of the Prodigal Son and how he was forgiven.  My father was not grieved but rejoiced in my change of heart. He forgave me and welcomed me back into the house, and never spoke of it again.   

The Bible records the story commonly called the Prodigal Son.   This story is found it in Luke 15:11-32.   The son in this story asks for his fathers inheritance and runs off squander his money on wine, women and song, until the money runs out.  As he sits in the mud, penniless and friendless – he reasons that even the servants in his fathers house are better off then himself.   Therefore with a plan to confess his sin and ask to be a servant – he returns.  When he comes to his father and confesses -  his father rejoices and welcomes his son home – with the biggest of celebrations.   The fathers explains why he had such a forgiving heart is that his son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.

This is the reality of the Christian family.   We hold a tough line on sin – but at the same time we long to see repentance, and rejoice when it comes.  Jesus was asked how many times were are to forgive, with the disciples suggestion of seven times.   Jesus responded back with a NO – it’s to be seven times seventy.  In other words we are to forgive, forgive, and forgive beyond the point of exasperation. 

While it is true that their are those which call themselves Christian and fail to forgive – it is hardly the norm – but the exception. Forgiveness is central in the life of a Christian.  Consider what Jesus said; “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  Hollywood again and again paint Christians up as monsters – and sadly more and more people are buying into this misconception.   

Here’s some lyrics which nicely points out this truth of forgiveness;

I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye.
Fightin’ was against the rules and it didn’t matter why.
When dad got home I told that story just like I’d rehearsed.
And then stood there on those tremblin’ knees and waited for the worst.

And he said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us.”
He said, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then.
It’s a love without end, amen, it’s a love without end, amen.”

When I became a father in the spring of ’81
There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father’s son.
And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end,
I took my daddy’s secret and I passed it on to him.

And he said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us.”
He said, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then.
It’s a love without end, amen, it’s a love without end, amen.”

Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates.
When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake.
If they know half the things I’ve done, they’ll never let me in.
And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again.

And he said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us.”
He said, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then.
It’s a love without end, amen, it’s a love without end, amen.”

President Obama has done some serious evil in his first days of office.  Making decisions which kill life can not be condoned, but soundly condemned.    So far in just a couple days President Obama has walked over the line.  President Obama has put aside President Bush’s 2001 ban on government supported research which used new embryonic stem cells.  You may remember how he dodged such a question during the campaign, quote:

“Whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity is above my pay grade”

Above his pay grade!  Harvesting embryonic stem cells kills the embryo.  Those that follow the Bible see clearly that life begins at conception (Psalm 51:5) and has rights.  Such a thing is a serious sin! The people which want to do this argue that the good outweighs the bad.  Such logic is not Biblical – (read Romans 3:8) nor moral.  

President Obama said that he’s bring the nation in a new direction – sadly it’s an evil direction as far as abortion and embryonic stem cell research are concerned. 

Remember the proverb: You reap what you sow.

How I want President Obama to succeed is the first question.   I want him to do what is right before God as our nation’s civil magistrate.   My idea of success for a President is to:

1. End abortion and protect the weak.
2. Protect marriage between one man and one women.
3. Clean up the internet and TV of indecent materials.
4. Go after the terrorists by adapting to their changing means and keep the nation safe.
5. Leave Iraq once the nation can sustain itself.
6. Increase domestic supplies of energy and continue decreasing impact the on the environment.
7. Be a good role model for American youth, going to church on Sunday and by having a solid marriage.
8. Have a pay as you go attitude, as far as federal spending.
9. Give our military the means and support to keep the nation safe.
10. Encourage individual responsibility.
11. Keep science advancement moral and responsible
12. Bring down the cost of medication and health care for the poor.
13. Take care that the legal system protects the innocent – while prosecuting the guilty to the full extent of the law. 
14. Appoint honest, qualified, originalists judges to the bench.

(To be a complete list I would have to include:
15. That he would work to make the 10 commandments the moral standard of this nation.
16. Seek to amend the Constitution and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and King.
Note: #15 & 16 So far no President has ever come close to suceeding on these two items.  Read Psalm 2)

As you can see my list of priorities does not really match – President Obama’s list of priorities.  In fact they are opposite in most cases.   Therefore it is not my prayer that he succeeds according to his agenda (viz. I hope he fails) – but that God would either change his heart or govern his actions in a way where good may come. 

Group encouraging people to throw shoes at an inflated Bush

More discussing acts.   They are hateful when they lose and hateful when they win.  

The hatred of the left shows up at the inauguration.  So much for change and putting politics aside.   http://tinyurl.com/8sm96f

What does the Bible teach?    It says: Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.  I1 Peter 2:17

This disrespect was so uncalled for and disgusting.   Even if some people didn’t agree with him they should consider the classy and gentlemanly efforts President Bush made in the transition.  If you remember President Clinton’s team trashed the place upon leaving. 

Pictures during the inauguration at the NYSE.

For the swearing in of President Obama I decided to go down to Wall Street, where our first President, George Washington was sworn in.  While I did not vote for Obama I still wanted to show my respect for the office.  The Stock Exchange had a broadcast live via satellite on a “Jumbotron” screen of the inauguration and there were a couple thousand people there.   It felt a bit like I was really down in Washington D.C.   While I could over hear some people very excited by the speech of President Obama, I wasn’t really impressed.   For all the hupla over this speech, it was an OK speech.  

It sounded like a campaign speech  – plenty of platitudes without any details.  Except for one thing. Before the elections it was the government that will provide all the answers.   Now after the election it you that need to step up to the plate, dust yourself off and rebuild the country (often meaning higher taxes).   Not surpising this type of change is often the case after an election.

While I have quite a number of differences with the new President I do hope the best for him and our nation.  I do appreciate the fact that the people of America have some so far in this county, whereby a person of African decent can arise to the level of President.    My prayers and the prayers of my family will be said on his behalf.

President Elect Obama has said that he was going to make man-made carbon emissions a priority in his administrations.   So how is he doing on the day of his inauguration?   Well we know that his bash will cost a wapping $170 Million! That’s has to be without excess carbon emissions right?   Well according to U.S. News it has been reported that his inauguration will generate the follow emissions:  

The 600 private jets expected to fly visitors to and from the event will produce 25,320,000 pounds of CO₂.
Personal vehicles could account for 262,483,200 pounds of CO₂. 
The horses in the parade will produce more than 400 pounds of CO₂.

Way to go – out of the starting gate!   He either doesn’t believe the hype about global warming or he personally does not want to change himself – he want’s others to do the changing.  If President Elect Obama was really serous about global warming he would not have this unprecedented size of an event. 

How will President Greorge W. Bush will be remembered?  This is how I will remember him. 

He kept our country safe from attack after terrorism redefined his presidency, cut taxes, freed the people of Afghanistan and Iraq, assisted more then any President ever in financial support for Africa, reformed education, oversaw 52 straight months of job growth, acted decisively when the economy tanked, stuck to principle dispite his poll numbers, protected us from extreme global warming treaties, appointed two good judges to the Supreme Court, retooled the military and improved federal crisis management after the worst U.S. natural disaster happened on his watch.

If I had to summarize President Bush with one word it would be ‘authentic.’  Like him or not – most people that met him say that he’s down to earth.  I pray that he will be blessed in his retirement years.

I went running outside for the first time in weeks (I’ve been using the treadmill) and boy, oh-boy it was cold!  It felt like 12°, as I ran 5 miles around my neighborhood.    The hills were really tough in this area of my town.  My speed was awful (11 minute pace) to say the least but at least I was able to do my targeted distance.  9 weeks left to go – for the half-marathon!


 
The green shows the ascent and decents of the run.   The red shows my heart beat (bpm) during the run.