The Older Brother

One particular idea that challenged me in The Prodigal God by T. Keller is that we're probably the older brother. That is to say, I think that most of us tend to identify with the prodigal son, the younger son. Keller challenged me to think, to some degree, that I'm probably closer to the older brother, at least as a religious guy.

In so many ways the church is the older brother. We see ourselves as having kept the rules, followed the right path, done the right things, been faithful, etc, etc. When people come toward the church we may not be accepting because we see them as the younger brother coming back after being away and getting the inheritance.

The older brother is clearly annoyed that the father is accepting the younger brother back and throwing him a party... "What's all this about? I've been serving you all these years and have been faithful, and now you're throwing a party for this knucklehead whose been squandering your money on hookers!"

One really interesting reflection made by "Jordan" at church last Sunday when I asked our congregation to reflect on the Painting (I had a huge framed print in the worship area) is that the older brother may be looking on the scene between the father and the younger son and wishing that he was feeling that embrace of the father. I hadn't looked at it that way.

Notice the servants (in the background) looking on incredulously. Have they ever seen anything like this? It's the story of the gospel... while were were still knuckleheads..."

I'd love to read your reflections on this painting: The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

I just finished the book The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller last week, and I'm digging into The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen this week. Keller's book is fabulous, and I've heard Nouwen's is amazing. What are your reflections on the painting... what do you see in it? Any part of your story you'd like to tell... leave it in the comments!

Augustine - The Confessions

"... for you have made us for yourself and our heart is restless till it finds its rest in you.”

In the very first section of The Confessions Augustine gives us this treasure. Speaking apologetically this short quote resonates with the message of the gospel. That is to say, Paul writes in Romans chapter one that no on has excuse - all know, intuitively, that there is a creator, and there is some desire to know this one. For me it's encouraging to know that when I'm thinking about sharing my faith I can have confidence that God is also pulling those with whom I'm sharing my faith, into His presence. That means that I am only one of the players on the stage of reaching those who are outside of Jesus Christ.

As I see the struggle and striving for meaning and fulfillment all around me I'm struck by the reality that everyone is working (unless they're in a covenant relationship with God through Christ) to fill that God shaped hole in their lives. We seek relationships to fill it; careers to fill it; other people to fill it; wealth to fill it. Time to rest in HIM.

Ok, I've been away for awhile

Sorry that I haven't kept this up... not that there are millions of disappointed blogmeisters out there thinking I've been lazy and who are hanging on every hope that soon I will make another scintillating contribution to their lives through my blog. But I'd like to get moving ahead again. Hopefully it will be so. I guess we'll see.

Wish I was more profound... life has just been busy.
Hope you're well,
John

Saturday Morning Devotions - James 3, Psalm 3

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? James 3:8-11 (NASB95)

I wonder what a difference it would make if we could just get this figured out? That is... to make sure that the same fountain (our mouths) only spews forth good water, and not bitter. Just being able to get a filter on the brain/mouth thing.

Friday Morning Community - James 2, Psalm 2

For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? James 2:2-4 (NASB95)

It's so difficult to treat everyone the same because of the way we view the world. How many of our relationships are bringing us some return? That is to say, how often are we thinking in terms of "what I can get" from the relationship rather than what I have to give. 90% of the relationship conflicts I work with people through boil down to expectations vs. reality in interpersonal relationship. Marriage is certainly that way... but I think that's what James is saying in this text. When you say to the wealthy person - "sit here in this comfortable chair" and the person without much - "sit here on the floor by my feet" we're recognizing, even at a sub-conscious level that there is more to gain from the one who has little than from the one who has much! James says that those are "evil motives."

If we spent more of our time asking the question, "How can I be responsible for someone else's success?" I think we would be generally happier. When we expect others to meet our needs and further our progress we're rarely, if ever, satisfied that they've done all they can do.

Perhaps we could spend more time working on the "royal law" which is to "love your neighbor as yourself." We can be self-absorbed (which may not always really be "loving ourselves") and forget that our call is to serve, to love, to give... not live in relationships waiting to get.

Thursday Morning Community, Psalm 1 - James 1

I am intrigued that though we chose James to read, and started at Psalm 1 (ok that's not a big surprise to start at Psalm 1) they have some similar content.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3 (NASB95)

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 (NASB95)

The word of God is both the seed and the water... God uses it in our lives to bear fruit. We were talking last night about the necessity of being in God's presence... even for Jesus! Think about how deeply connected Christ was also to the written word... quoting it often... clearly well versed in it. He lived in it when "not on the spot" so that his life was shaped for the times when he "was on the spot!" May it grow up and bear fruit!