The Prodigal Hammer

I keep this hammer in my office to remind me of my tendency to turn backwards upon myself. We are all prone to prodigality. Self centeredness arranges our lives according to our plan, not His.
Recently, Jenna and I have been having some wonderful "game times" together.
We snuggle before bed time and play "Text Twist" and "Gutterball". Our laughter and mutual discovery of each other's vocabularies and personalities is delightful. God has used these times together to reveal to me how often I have been a prodigal father...putting church meetings, counseling, phone calls, visits, emails, and my own computer time before my role as a Father.

The Prodigal Son

Light extinguishes darkness.
Love erases wrong.
Life washes away death.

Healing Hurts, Habits and Hang-ups
The Church on Trial
Luke 15:11-32

The Biblical Story
I. Positive Vision
“But while he was still a long way off, his Father saw him…” (v.20)

II. Speedy Love
“…filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (v.20)

III. Lavish Giftedness
“ Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.” (v.22)

A Gift for Every Confession

Gift # 1 The Robe
“Quick, bring the best robe and put it on him.” (v.22)

The Confession
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” (v.18)

Gift # 2 The Ring
“Put a ring on his finger…” (v.22)

The Confession
“I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (v.21)

Gift # 3 The Sandals
“and sandals on his feet.” (v.22)

The Confession
“Make me like one of your hired men.” (v.19)

Celebrate the Recovery of the Prodigal

Rembrandt (1606-1669) the Dutch painter whose works are unmatched in their portryal of human emotions, depicts both the dark and light side of the family to which the prodigal return. A study of this painting reveals, in the shadows, the brother who "would not go in."