REAL Forgiveness

I'll start with the most difficult question that this text poses for me. What is the challenge? What are we supposed to do in response to the Parable of the Prodigal Son? If this is a story of God, our Father, who knows nothing of the fine print and conditional care that is at the very core identity of our humanity and our world, then shouldn't the challenge be to live in accordance with this righteous and holy example: living as a people of God working to bring about the Kingdom of God here on the earth?

But unconditional love...what about the necessary conditions--infidelity, betrayal, deceit? Don't we want, in fact, need some fine print? Don't we think that our earthly relationships and lives require some if/then statements? There are actions that provoke within us hate and disdain...unforgivable?

This is where I struggle. I am hard-pressed to find fault in a person placing boundaries, drawing up some fine print, on a relationship. There are instances where we find this justifiable. With all of these problems swirling about this I wonder, is there a different challenge for us in this lesson from our Lord? Have I placed the identification in the wrong place...are we to meet the prodigal here rather than the Father...are we to be challenged to accept our acceptance...to allow the outstretched arms of our gracious God to wrap around us, hold us within His unconditional forgiveness?

I am pressed. One challenge seems nearly impossible, the other much easier (while not without its own difficulties). How do you feel about each challenge? Which do you believe was the intent of Jesus? Were there others that I have missed? When living out either of these challenges what impact does it have on your daily life? Where can REAL forgiveness be found?

REAL Generosity

Well, I am back from Juarez and a little late posting. My apologies. Juarez was an incredible journey for me.

It was physically demanding, building a house without electricity in three days.

It was emotionally powerful, our host family living as blessed people in conditions I--and dare I say we--have to consider from a different perspective to witness God's abundance.

It was spiritually enriching, working with faithful servants from Aggieland and Mexico living out our spiritual act of worship.

While in Juarez, this message and Christ's parable spoke continually to me. ENOUGH. Our host family lived as though they had enough. I was there working to provide them a closer semblance of my understanding of enough. God has given our world enough, and I have more than enough.

Questions I am being challenged by and invite you to consider: Do you have enough, more than enough, spiritually, physically? Are there people who don't have enough physically? How can you use what has been given to you to let others feel the outpouring of God's abundance that will always be enough? It start with you...it starts with me. I have to change the way I think, the way I live. What is the first step to REAL generosity?

REAL Mercy

When I read the Good Samaritan parable, I seem to ease in and out of consciousness. After all, this story seems so played out. "I've heard that before...not again!" my mind screams.

But then again, God has a lot left to do with me. Identification is a good starting point.

Think with me...when have you been in need, in a place where you could identify with the certain man? Being honest, I have lived, as my wife would say, a pretty "fluffy" life. Not much hardship, failure, hopelessness, desperation...not much need.

But we all can identify, to a certain extent, feeling invisible, neglected, as though we were dispensable. To bring this parable to life we have to meet this certain man there, in a place of need.

Just as I settle in with this feeling, being uncomfortable, recalling feelings I'd like to bury in the past, the identification shifts. When have I had the opportunity to show mercy, to meet someone in a time of need and actually help? It doesn't take long to have a depressing laundry list of examples. And my response is often, "I'm busy, it costs too much, I can't trust them, they live way over there, I'm not equipped for that." Excuse after excuse providing justification, the rationalization for every instance.

What an odd place Jesus takes us--identifying with both sides of the story, relating to the needy and those who neglect the needy. Even within ourselves we can begin to sense a deep connectedness.

And then the foreigner, the Samaritan, comes to convict and inspire. His role is to rip down the veil of dissolution we have hung on the line of our dissections.

Our individualistic culture reinforces the separations we have established. But we are connected. We can do more...I know it is disabling to try to identify ways we can show this kind of radical, REAL mercy. But we can.

We can do this locally, regionally, internationally. How can we live this out? After all, we are linked one to another. I open the floor to discussion.