You, A Prodigal, Too?

The ‘Parable of the Prodigal Son’ may well be a misnomer. It could be the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Sons’ (plural). We customarily see the insolent younger son as being the center figure in this story, but in fact, it is the Father. The second most important figure is the eldest son! Surprised?

In telling this parable, Jesus ended the story at the point adequate to accent and demonstrate the recovered prodigal (younger) son, and the Father’s love, but also to expose the hidden darkness in the heart and mind of the eldest son who thought and believed he was so faithful, loving and loyal.

Jesus stopped there, but using your imagination and keen understanding of human nature, especially of you, yourself, let’s go a bit further. What do you imagine might have been the remaining scenes of this story, and what would you envision as its typical conclusion? If you were making a movie production using this storyline, and knowledge of your own personality, what would movie goers see on the screen of your imagination?? Of course, only you and God can see your movie.

The  eldest son in the parable was apparently blind to the realization that his brother’s (‘this son of yours’) prodigal experience had successfully ended, and his own prodigal heart was uncloaked and exposed. Thus began his own personal prodigal experience! His mind and heart were apparently not faithful or in sync with those of his Father, and he was rather hostile and unforgiving toward his brother. Yet he thought he was A-Ok with Dad because he apparently had not accepted/spent his share of the family inheritance (which, according to reported customs of the day, was twice the share of the younger brother).

With this insight, the first core message of the parable is that both sons were prodigals, not only the younger son. This point is reflective of all of God’s sons. While all humanity is God’s creation, not all humanity are His sons. ‘Sonship’ is a special, ‘new species’ of humans who experience spiritual re-birth available only through faith in Christ as Savior. This is the iterative love message of The Bible. Of God’s sons, only Jesus, the first ‘re-born’ Son of God (Hebrews 1:5), has been totally faithful (non-prodigal). To that we all agree. Thus, all the rest of us either have been, are, or will be prodigals at one time and in one sense or another -- i.e., not fully faithful (UN-faithful) in our Christian walk, though pride may lead some to take exception to this statement.

The second core message highlights the awesome and unwavering love of the Father for His sons during every phase of their prodigal experiences. This is reflective to all of God’s sons since God loves all His sons as much as He loves Jesus. (John 17:23) So as noted above, the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Son’ may well be a misnomer. It could be the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Sons’ (plural), but it is best referred to as the ‘Parable of The Father’s Love’, or ‘Parable of The Loving Father’.

Key:  Since all re-born humans (Christians) either have been, are currently, or will become prodigals at some point and in some manner, we should be attentive re. how we treat prodigals, whether during, and especially after our ‘wayward’ (unfaithful) experience(s). According to the spiritual Law of Reaping and Sowing, the manner in which we think/talk about and respond to God’s prodigal sons -- of which I certainly am one, will be reflected on the canvas and in the video of…

…your own prodigal experience(s).

Feeding Your Amygdalae

Here's a thought that's not so easily dismissed: 

Imagine four arrows shot, two each through your eyes and ears! They would intersect in your two 'amygdalae' *, the two parts of your brain that orchestrate and stimulate the release into your blood stream the symphony of relaxation hormones and the flood of stress hormones in response to the perceived presence or absence of threats and danger. So what are you feeding your amygdalae?  Imaginary arrows shot through your eyes and ears are good reminders to guard your eye and ear gateways to not only your amygdalae, but also to your heart (spirit) -- the seat of your core system of beliefs.

God designed the human body NEVER TO DIE, so He included in it natural healing  and repairing abilities. Imagine what's involved in healing a simple cut. Sin ushered into the world the knowledge of good vs. evil, and we incline so heavily towards thoughts of evil, bad, lack, sickness (‘this and that run in my family’, ‘I've always been like this or that’, etc.), worry and death.  Awwww, poor amygdalae -- like an overworked orchestra conductor repeating the discordant sounds of the aggressive part of a musical score (‘Danger, danger!’).  If only our bodies would somehow diminish the supply of those stress hormones with which we flood our blood streams! Even what we call ‘entertainment’ often causes the amygdalae to signal release of STRESS hormones, rather than RELAXATION hormones! (Consider the harmful impact a steady diet of stress hormones has on our immune system.)

Alas, not to worry. Even in our sinful rebellion, God has faithfully provided good food for our amygdalae -- the iterative, but coded Love message echoed across the pages of His Word, The Bible. And just in case we miss His bottom line, He even sent us a succinct, summary:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble  whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—THINK and MEDITATE on these things....and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

Yep, this is indeed good food for your amygdalae!  Consider the alternative...

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* Amygdalae is plural for amygdala.

  See: http://bigthink.com/videos/the-amygdala-in-5-minutes,   and also

          http://yourfearfreelife.com/where-does-fear-come-from/

Grace, Unlimited (Poem)

While shortages in life may come and go,

A shortage of Grace I'll never know.

With news reports of lives un-quieted,

I'm reminded of Grace that's truly un-limited.

While going through life's storms that rage,

God's Word affirms Grace, page after page.

Grace affirms what Love assures,

And Love assures that Grace endures.

Grace, what's this mysterious force?

Grace is Love's assuring voice,

Grace is Love's tireless workhorse.

Grace seals Love's highest endorsement.

Grace directs the angels' enforcement,

Ensuring completion of my assignment.

Grace directs, and it also protects.

Grace even scrubs as it corrects,

Guaranteeing that Love's plan affects.

Grace, God's fingerprint, stamped on me thrice. 

His signet of approval. It ended the strife

That once separated me from His eternal life.

I praise God for this, His awesome force

That now surrounds me on my life's course;

Assuring the excellence of knowing Christ,

Who for this Grace paid an awful price.

Grace extends Heaven's full citizenship,

Both now and when from earth's grip I'll slip.

Oh come with me on this walk of favor,

And God's Great Grace ... we will forever savor.

If I Be Lifted Up (Poem)

See the series here

Listen to to song, If I Be Lifted Up

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

But what exactly did Jesus mean?  Let’s take a deeper look and see.

"Lifted up" meant ‘exalted’, so I understood as a lad,

But later understood it really meant He’d be crucified.

"Draw all people unto me" meant for salvation, so I heard,

Until I understood the broader message of The Holy Word.

God ordained Jesus' death as the fulcrum of all human history.

Never a person has lived who’s been more polarizing than He!

Even our calendars affirm this unquestionable fact.

Who else on human history has had such an impact?!

Like magnets, just the mention of His Name, polarizes any room,

Pitting us who bloom with praise, against those who fuss and fume!

Jesus for us is like God’s strategic lightning rod,

Attracting the payment for all our sin that flawed. 

Sent to expose satan’s unbelievable fraud,

And from deep within us a decision to prod.

This decision is clear and simple, you see,

To affirm whom do YOU believe and say is He.

Is He Son of God, The Lord of Glory?

Or just the center of a meaningless story?

Is He Alpha and Omega, your personal lodestar?

Or just someone whose life you find so bizarre?

He’s The One before whom ALL indeed will stand,

At which time you He’ll welcome, or you He’ll ban.

It’ll all be based on a single question exam:

"Whom in YOUR life did you say that I AM?"

From this question you’ll find no escape,

And about it then, there’ll be ... NO jape!

I pray you will make your best decision,

And then desist from all related ... derision.

I'll Draw All Men Unto Me

See the series here

These are the words of Jesus, as recorded in John 12:30-32:

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the Earth, will draw all men unto Me.

I first encountered this expression, ‘lifted up from the Earth’, as a child listening to an ole spiritual song, ‘Lift the Savior Up’. Perhaps you, too, have heard it. (Available on YouTube) As a child, I did not have a clue of the real meaning of this expression, but the church I attended suggested it meant exalting (lifting up) the Name of Jesus so all people would be drawn to Him for their salvation. This song seemed to underscore the inferred interpretation. Simple enough, but far from being accurate. For some reason, verse 33 was overlooked in this interpretation.

This He said, signifying by what [manner of] death He would die. (John 12:33)

Thus, to ‘be lifted up’ actually means to be crucified - raised up and suspended on a cross between Heaven and Earth. This is the farthest one could get from being exalted, yet earlier in the discourse He said a grain of seed abides alone until and unless it is cast into the ground and dies, then it will bear much fruit, signifying He would ultimately be exalted in His resurrection. (John 12:24)

With that point clarified, debate still continues today regarding the real meaning of ‘draw all men unto Me’. Many Bible scholars still blindly interpret this as referring to salvation, this despite the Bible’s assertion that not all mankind will accept God’s plan and offer of salvation and eternal life through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection.

Other scholars interpret this to mean all mankind, believers and non-believers alike, will, in the end, be drawn to the judgment seat of Christ to have their works on Earth judged. Revelation 20:11-15 affirms this point. It also answers questions about the basis for judging people who lived and died before Christ lived on Earth. Before they died, The Lord confirmed who was and was not righteous in His sight, and He recorded His decision in His Book of Life. 

For those who were righteous, I believe Jesus, in spirit, delivered His Gospel to them (in ‘Abraham’s bosom, the upper region of hades where, pre-cross, souls and spirits of the righteous were confined after death). Then He defeated satan’s kingdom, taking back from him the keys of death and hades, and led the righteous souls/spirits through Heaven’s newly opened gates.

Here is my broad interpretation of the phrase, ‘draw all men/people unto Me’:

1. God has firmly established the death of Jesus as the unequivocal ‘fulcrum of human history'. Even our system of calendars and dates affirm this, i.e., BC - AD. It is evident He was ‘lifted up’ thrice:

1. Lifted up (raised) on a cross between Heaven and Earth to be crucified

2. Lifted up (raised) from the grave to offer eternal life to mankind

3. Lifted up (ascended) from Earth to Heaven to be glorified

   

2. Jesus has literally been the most polarizing figure who has ever lived. My, my, what an interesting way to split human history. Just the mention of His Name will, like magnets, polarize people in any room. In light of this, the clear purpose of His death is to draw all mankind, including you, to Him for three reasons:

a. For you to know He loves you unconditionally

b. For you to make a personal decision regarding His offer of eternal life, i.e.,

   Whom do YoU say/believe Jesus is?

c. For Him to judge your works on Earth (i.e., confirm whether your name is in His Book of [Eternal] Life)

God’s express intent, echoed across the pages and ages of The Bible and human history, is to prompt or extract from our minds and hearts our personalized, intimate basis for His decision whether to write our name in His Book of Life, period. 

Ok, so Jesus was indeed ‘lifted up from the Earth’, was buried in the Earth, was raised from an earthen grave, and was lifted up/ascended to Heaven. And in countless ways across our world every day, you, my Friend, are now ‘drawn to Him’ to give your answer to His clear question:

‘Whom do you say that I am?’

He Wrestled with His Demons

...and the demons won!

World headlines are once again ablaze with reports of yet another celebrity having "wrestled with his demons", and apparently, the demons won!  

The title of a federal government education initiative, Race to the Top, may well be the best characterization of what's going on more broadly in our society, and maybe the entire world.  Our personal desire to 'race to the top' of our game, whatever it may be, tends to incubate prideful ambition.  This ambition can push us to 'do whatever is needful, become whatever is helpful, and get over on whomever is baleful', in order to reach our top.  In our race, we may fail to cultivate the character traits, spiritual strength and stamina required to KEEP us successfully at that top we so eagerly desire.  As a result, the pressures of 'living life large at the top' easily overwhelm us, sending us reaching and scratching for whatever aids that appear to offer help in our dilemma.  Too often, the most available aids are alcohol, prescription meds and hard drugs.  Then the downward spiral begins ... and quickly accelerates.  In our prideful push, we may indeed reach our top, but may quickly become yet another 'celebrity without sobriety' -- sobriety of character, spiritual roots or stamina.  

The only way to wrestle with demons is to ... DON'T!  Such battles must be fought, but not by you!  Rather, fight-fire-with-fire.  Demons are powerful, evil angels (ex-holy Angels who fell from Grace, were ex-communicated from Heaven, and are doomed with sentence of eternal damnation) against whom mere humans are no match

Rather than pursuing your race to the top, another pertinent lesson from The Bible is actually to head in the opposite direction!  God honors and exalts humility, meekness and servant-mindedness.  It is in developing such traits that we arm ourselves with powerful tools and requisite aids that will sustain us when HE, not our own efforts, puts us at the top of His plan for our individual life.

So the next time you feel like, or hear of someone 'wrestling with demons', stop, reflect and KNOW this: Such a battle is not yours to fight.  

Back in the day, there was a slogan,

 Let your fingers do the walking through the Yellow Pages

(the ole phone book equivalent of a Google business search) 

Perhaps a pertinent adage in our day is,

 Let your fingers do the walking through the Holy Bible

 (getting to perceive God's quiet voice), and 

Let your assigned holy Angels do the wrestling with demons!

Instead of wrestling with demons, we will then be ... 

'Walking with Angels'.

Peace~ 

* See: http://www.truthnet.org/Daniel/Chapter10/

The ONE Key for Israel's Safety and Security

(Posted August 2014)

As the war on Gaza kicks back into gear this week following a three-day truce, and as the Middle East continues to unravel, Ezekiel 28:25-26 gives the one key that will bring about safety and security to Israel:  

Thus says The Lord God: ‘When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am The Lord their God.’ (Ezekiel 28:25-26)

The only way Israel may think and believe it can hallow Jehovah God is to re-institute the formalistic rituals of temple worship. But this requires a temple, with the associated abattoir. And the only spot on which Israel believes such a temple can be built is …otherwise occupied. So, still locked in her Torah mind-set, Israel is, thus, unable to hallow God.

What a conundrum, especially when God may be more interested in being hallowed in their/our hearts, through repentance of sin, and acceptance if His (not our) sacrifice for sin -- Jesus Christ. *

One might think a whole lot of lives could be saved, homes and buildings left in tact, economies saved, and American tax dollars saved, if only Israel could see its way to obey the main point in this particular Scripture. But this would be the wrong conclusion. Why, you ask?

Take a closer look at the second requirement in Verse 25: ‘... and am hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles..’  This is intentionally stated in the passive voice, which suggests it is not any particular thing Israel itself can or will do. Rather, looking at the broader message of Scripture on this and related topics, only Jehovah God, Himself, can/will bring about the conditions in which Israel will hallow Him before the Gentile nations of the world. Imagine the pride that might be spawned if Israel, itself, could nationally and politically manipulate such conditions. Then imagine the great fall that would ensue, the fruits of pride, in accordance with Proverbs 16:18.

Only in God’s own timing, and only by His chosen context and means, will Israel hallow Him before Gentile nations — the whole world! Period.

What then do you say of several American-inspired plans to manipulate the Government of Israel to finagle some sort of ‘national hallowing of God’ in order, by man’s hand, to bring about God’s stated will? For example, see:

SUPPORT ISRAEL: Letter to Netanyahu

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* Notwithstanding much debate concerning possible reinstitution of animal sacrifices in the promised third temple in Jerusalem.

Searching for Love - A Better Way (Poem)

Searching for Love - A Better Way (Poem)

The supreme commandment is ‘To Love’ - a word so emotive,
The highest expression of which is to give and also forgive.
Yet in looking for love, we accent that which ‘I want, I need.’
In a society that’s not moved by Love, as much as ‘iGreed’.

We look for love in similar manner and conduct,
As done in searching for a consumer product!
Armed with checklists, we hit the familiar circuits:
The streets, clubs, bars, the web and even the churches.

We carefully assess, all reasonable prospects,
Adjusting our lists, keeping our feelings in check.
Then, KA-BANG! Against our lists we commit high treason,
By falling in love with someone, for e-v-e-r-y wrong reason!

We rationalize, stretch and ignore all warning signs,
That this may not be ‘The One’, so then ... we whine.
With ourselves we writhe, wrestle and wrangle,
Until, convinced, we forge ahead, getting more entangled!

The next steps seem so easy and natural to do,
So to our rational minds and lists we bid ‘Adieu!’
Then down our road of life, one day we awaken,
And ask ourselves, ‘How ever was I so overtaken?!’

Here is a way such heart-ache can be avoided:
First, let your heart with Christ be corded.
In prayer to Him on your knees, don’t flounder,
Then extend loving Grace to all you encounter.

His angels will work hard to prepare your mate.
And prepare you, too, while teaching you to wait.
As they usher him/her onto your life’s stage, hearts set alight,
Heed well, my Friend, this advice they may whisper as they take flight:

‘Shun sinful weed seeds in your Garden of Delight.
Give GLORY to God, and walk before Him upright.

Sin seeds planted before you join in marriage,

May someday yield the fruit of marriage damage.’

Album 2: Psalm 91 – Personalized (Lyrics)

I dwell in the secret place of the Most High,

  Abiding under the shadow of Almighty God.

I say to my LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress; 

  My God, in You I trust. 

Surely You deliver me from all devilish snares, 

  And from perilous pestilences.

You cover me with Your feathers, and under Your wings,

  God, I take refuge. 

Your Truth is my shield and my defense.   

I am not afraid of terrors at night,

Nor of the fiery darts of the wicked one that fly during the day,

Nor of dark pestilences that walk to and fro in the earth,

Nor of wasteful destructions that occur in plain daylight. 

   

Lord, thousands are falling at my side,

And tens of thousands all around me;

But none of their problems shall come near me.

Only with my eyes do I look,

And see the reward of the wicked … 

  In the newspapers, on TV and on the Internet.

   

You said because I have made The LORD my refuge,

Even Your Son Jesus my dwelling place,

No evil shall come upon or impact me,

Nor shall any calamity come near my dwelling places;

Because Your angels have dominion over me,

To keep me secure in all my doings.

They lift me up in their spiritual hands 

Lest I dash my foot against the stones …

  Of poverty, lack, unbelief and sickness.

I tread upon spiritual lions and cobras,

Young spiritual lions and serpent I trample underfoot.      

Because I have set my love upon You, God, 

  Therefore You always deliver me;

You grant me Your high favor, 

  Because I embrace Your Son as my Savior.

I call upon Him, and He always answers me quickly 

Jesus Christ walks with me through trouble.

He delivers me and honors me.

With l-o-n-g  life He satisfies me,

And blesses me … with eternal salvation.

                                                                        ©  Copyrighted

Album 2: Enigma! (Lyrics)

Chorus:

I’m in Him.  He’s in me.  It’s an enigma truthfully.

He’s in me.  I’m in Him. He is the Root and I’m the stem.

It’s an enigma, and what a gem!

Verse 1:

Moses saw a bush on fire that did not burn!  It’s an enigma.

Ezekiel saw a wheel in a wheel that did not turn!  Oh my, another enigma. 

That why…(to chorus)

Verse 2:

Paul saw a blinding light that opened his eye!  It’s an enigma.

Stoned to death but he did not die.  You guessed it, another enigma. 

That why…(to chorus)

Verse 3:

My sin stained soul is now God’s purity!  It’s an enigma.

I’ll get a WHITE robe 'cause His blood flowed RED for me.  Oh my, another enigma.

That’s why…(to final chorus)

Final Chorus:

I’m in Him.  He’s in me.  It’s an enigma truthfully.

He’s in me.  I’m in Him. He is the Root and I’m the stem.

Yes, I’m in Him.  He’s in me.  It’s an enigma truthfully.

He can be in you.  You can be in Him. 

Join in this enigma full and free.

Yes, join in this enigma full and free!

                                                                        ©  Copyrighted

Album 2: Ladder Against A Wall (Lyrics)

My life is a ladder against a wall. 

“How long?”, you ask, “How sturdy?  How tall?”

Pretty long, I’d say, but I’ve got a notion,

“Against WHICH wall??”, may be a better question.

You see, I’ve lived much of life aimlessly,

Making many decisions quite disdainfully.

Hurting myself and others as I went about,

Caring only that my ladder was ‘up and out’.

Many other ladders against my wall I could see,

The lives of other climbers there with me.

Some taller, others shorter than mine,

People climbing s-l-o-w-l-y, others faster, their end to find.

Good progress I made, or so I thought,

Climbing my ladder rung-by-rung, just as taught.

Until one day as I neared my ladder’s end,

I asked myself, “What, I wonder, will happen then?”

Then one day a clear voice I heard,

Echoing across the way, such a resounding Word.

The message gripped me as I reached for the next rung,

Like a bee, for sure my heart it stung!

“How long, my Friend, since you’ve stopped and seen,

 If against the right wall your ladder leans??”

Frozen in my climb I began to wonder,

“Is this the right wall?” I need to ponder.

He said, “Only one wall is worth leaning against.

         Change yours or face eternal angst.

Only one way to avoid that price;

         That is total faith in Jesus Christ.

                                                                 ©  Copyrighted

Album 2: Righteousness of God (Lyrics)

Listen on YouTube

I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

The quality of my life is the harvest of my imagination.

My faith uncloaks the substance of my hope.

I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

The fear of the lord is health to my flesh.

  and strength to my bones. (Proverbs 3:8)

The fear of the Lord prolongs my days. (Proverbs 10:27)

My tongue promotes health. (Proverbs 12:18)

Yes, I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

As a Counselor of Peace, I have joy. (Proverbs 12:20)

No grave trouble shall overtake me. (Proverbs 12:21)

My treasuries are filled with plenty. (Proverbs 3:10)

God’s blessings make me rich without sorrow. (Proverbs 10:22)

I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

I am prudent and act with knowledge. (Proverbs 13:16)

My mouth brings forth wisdom. (Proverbs 10:31)

My foot will not stumble. (Proverbs 3:23)

My sleep is sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)

I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

I walk in the Way of Life. (Proverbs 10:19)

I keep God’s commandments.

  as the apple of my eye. (Proverbs 7:21)

I preserve discretion. (Proverbs 5:21)

My ways are always before God. (Proverbs 5:21)

Yes, I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

My thoughts are right. (Proverbs 12:5)

I come through trouble. (Proverbs 12:13)

I am God’s delight (Proverbs 12:22)

I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

My mouth speaks truth (Proverbs 8:7)

I fear God and hate evil (Proverbs 8:13)

I rejoice always before God,

…and Wisdom delights in me (Proverbs 8:30)

God is my shield (Proverbs 2:7)

I am delivered from death (Proverbs 10:21)          

My accomplished desires

  are sweet to my soul (Proverbs 13:19)

I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

My mouth is a well of life (Proverbs 10:11)

No weapon formed against me shall prosper,

  and every tongue that rises against me in judgment

  I shall condemn. 

This is my heritage as a servant of God. 

My righteousness is from God says God. (Isaiah 54:17)

I arise and shine, for my Light has come,

…and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon me. (Isaiah 60:1)

I am established in righteousness; 

I am far from oppression for I do not fear;

I am far from terror, for it does not come near me. (Isaiah 54:14)

The Lord delights in me and rejoices over me (Isaiah 62:4-5)

God keeps me busy with the joy of my heart (Ecclesiastes 5:20)

I AM the righteousness of God IN CHRIST!

                                                              ©  Copyrighted