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Father In Heaven

Where is Heaven?

You’ve probably prayed these words thousands of times, “Our Father who art in Heaven.” Where do you imagine Heaven is?

We throw the word heaven around a lot in our modern culture, naming ice cream, pizza parlors and ski resorts after it. Folks often say, “I was in heaven when ……” I doubt they mean anything close to what the followers of Jesus thought when he taught them to pray.

First century people had a simple understanding of heaven and earth. Earth was where they lived, walked, grew crops and buried their dead. Heaven was everything above earth, and who knew what all lived there? They easily perceived that powers and forces out of their control lived in the heavens. Thunder, lightening, hail storms and whirl winds, they thought, were the work of spirits, or gods, who had to be appeased or placated.

We have left behind the idea that Baal is hurling lightening at us, but the heavens are still very much mysterious to us. And somethings, like the recent polar vortex that froze all of Texas, remind us that we are not in control either.

Neither do we know very much about what is beyond earth. For the first time today NASA released a recording of wind on the planet Mars. Getting that sound recording was very impressive. But Mars is not far at all compared to what is out there. Take a look for yourselves on an imaginary trip through the heavens by clicking here.

If the heavens are of such magnitude that we cannot even imagine how big they are, did Jesus want us to imagine God is out there, somewhere, distant and unseen? Absolutely not!

If you were a Jew listening to Jesus teach you might have thought of God as the one who came down with thunder and lightening to give Moses the Torah on Mount Sinai. If you were a pagan listening to Jesus, you would have believed a multitude of gods and goddesses lived above the clouds, and, being afraid of them, you would have build altars and offered gifts to make them favor you. Either way you would not have been relaxed to be in the presence of Heaven.

And then Jesus spoke:

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven’

“I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

So, next time you look up at the sunny sky or peer out into the sparkling stars say this to yourself, “Wow! My Father made all that. And he’s bigger than all that. But he told me he knows me and cares about me. How awesome is that!”

Matthew 6:8-9, 25-26,7:7-11(ESV)

Calling God

What do you call God?

What words did Jesus use to refer to God? Stop and think a minute. Can you recall? I word-searched through the Gospels and this is what I found: God, the Lord, the father, my father, your father.

When you need him, what do you call God?

My friend recently gave me a lovely prayer shawl, complete with blue stripes and tassels. When I tried it on I noticed the word Abba was woven into the cloth over and over. Abba is Hebrew for father.

In my neighborhood we have a family that moved here from Israel. One afternoon Annie, their little girl, climbed an exercise structure and made her way out onto a horizontal bar. She hung there but soon realized how high up she was.

Frightened she yelled“Abba! Abba! Abba!” I watched her father sprint across the playground and grab Annie.

“Abba, Abba,” I cry when I am afraid or stuck.

My little neighbor knew her father would come. How do we know our Father will come?

In my previous blog I introduced the Hebrew name for God, Yahweh. When Moses first met God he asked God what his name was, and God told Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”

Yahweh means the existent one. When you’re reading your English translation of the Old Testament and come to LORD, lord printed in all capital letters, you know the name Yahweh is there in Hebrew.

In ancient cultures a name told you something about that person. God’s Hebrew name tells us he is the one who existed before all other things.

But we need to know more, so Moses, later on, asked God to show him who he was so we could know him.

And this was God’s answer to Moses, and to us:

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

Will God care when you are afraid and call him? Yes! He is merciful.

Will God take care of you, as Annie’s father did? Yes! He is gracious.

Will God be patient with you? Yes! He is slow to get angry.

Will God pay attention to you? Yes! His love for you is bigger than you imagine.

Will God be there when you need Him. Yes! He is always faithful.

Jesus taught his disciples to pray “our Father,” inviting us into relationship with God.

The invitation is clear. God says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.”

What are you waiting for?

Scripture references: Exodus 3:1, 34:6, Psalms 50:15

Why Pray?

How many persons can you name whose prayers are recorded in the Bible? Stop now and make a list. Then note where and why they prayed.

STOP NOW and make your list.

Did anything about your list surprise you? Maybe you are surprised by how few prayers you can remember.

I can help you. In the Bible the first person who prayed was Adam: then the man (Adam) said, “This at last is bone of my bones!” Prayer is talking to God, and Adam is expressing his delight with Eve to God. I am sure Adam is talking to God, because there is no one else there. Our prayers, too, can be spontaneous exclamations of joy or sorrow.

Here’s another famous prayer story: Daniel in the lions den. Did you know Daniel was thrown in the den of hungry lions because he was praying and giving thanks to God? Then it was the King, who threw Daniel in, who prayed the lions wouldn’t eat Daniel! You can read it in Daniel chapter 6.

See if you can guess who prayed this: “In my distress, O LORD, I called to you, and you answered me. From deep in the world of the dead I cried for help, and you heard me.”

Give up? Here’s another hint: “The water came over me and choked me; the sea covered me completely, and seaweed wrapped around my head.” That’s right; it’s Jonah. Who else would be praying with seaweed around his head?

As you can see, we can pray any time and our prayers can express, joy, thankfulness, desperation and terror.

And we can pray anywhere. Jesus prayed publicly and he prayed alone. (see my blog on praying in secret.) Even in our noisy world we can get with God and talk. Susanna Wesley, mother of Charles, John and a bunch of other kids, was known for praying with her apron thrown over her head so she could be alone with God and pray.

Pray because you are thankful. Pray because you are loved.

Pray because you are lonely; God always listens.

Pray because God invites you to: “Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me.”

Pray because God cares for you. ”Praise him, you servants of the LORD!……He does not neglect the poor or ignore their suffering; he does not turn away from them, but answers when they call for help.”

Scripture references: Genesis 2:23, Jonah 2:2, Psalms 50:15, Psalm 22:23

Home!

Dark, cold, seemingly endless interstate roads were a large part of my life for over a decade while I moved around the country for school and military service. Indiana to Bergen County: 750 miles. Denver to Bergen: 1777 miles. Missouri to Bergen: 1147 miles. Mile after miles, and I remember very little of them except for one spot, the lights of Paterson, NJ.

The lights of Paterson are hardly notable but for one thing – when they appeared I knew I was almost home. They’d appear out of the dark in the wee hours of the morning giving me a surge of joy and relief knowing I had made it. When I see them now I still feel it – home!

Home, where I can exchange vending machines and lukewarm coffee for a fridge full of my favorite foods.

Home, where instead of cold, dirty commodes I get my mom’s sparkling bathroom and hot shower.

Home, where weary hours of clutching the wheel turns into a soft mattress and my favorite pillow.

Home, where I feel welcome and safe because my parents love me.

Home!

If we expect all this good from parents, why would we ever expect less from our Father in Heaven?

Jesus told the story of the farmer and his two sons so we know exactly what to expect when we go to our Father.

Remember, the wandering son, as a last resort, was going home to beg his dad for a job as a hired hand. He would have been happy for a bowl of soup and some hay to sleep on. Instead his dad charged down the driveway to meet him, showering him with the best he had: clothes, shoes, ring and a giant party. Your Father in Heaven does the same.

Jesus said, “Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

How do you think the farmer would have felt if his son had said, “I don’t want all the stuff you are giving me. I want to live away from you in the barn. Send me some bread and water, and I’ll start work in the morning.”

His dad would have been so heartbroken.

We often turn our heavenly Father into a stingy god who doesn’t want to care for us. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Head for home. Pull in the driveway. Get out of your car and let the Father embrace you. He’s waiting for you.

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Scriptures quoted: Matthew 7:9-11, Matthew 11:28

The Father and His Sons Part 3

It took a long time for the son to walk back to the family farm. Remember, he had gone to a far country. (read Parts 1 and 2.) The rough road on his bare feet slowed him down. And he was hungry to the point of fainting . But getting home was his only hope of surviving, so he kept going.

He had lots of time to think about what he would say to his father when he got there. He knew his father had no obligation to help him – not after the way he had acted. By rights his father should turn him away, but he knew him to be a kind man, so he prepared this little speech:

“Father, I have sinned against Heaven and you. I am not worthy to be called your son. Will you allow me to work here as your hired servant?”

The son rehearsed his speech over and over on his slow walk home. And while he walked his father was still watching. Every morning his father looked down the road, hoping to see his son. At noon, and again before dark, he looked and prayed his boy would come home.

Then one afternoon the father looked and thought he saw far off a familiar figure on the road. His heart started to beat quickly, but then he thought, “That’s not my son. He is way too thin and he walks with his head down.”

But he kept watching.

“Wait,” he thought, “it looks like my son’s gait. But, no, this fellow is wearing nothing but rags. It’s not him.”

But he kept watching.

And as the figure drew nearer the father’s heart leapt with the joy of recognition.

“It’s my son!” Then he did what no dignified gentleman would do. Pulling up his robe he sprinted down the path to the gate shouting, “You’re home! You’re home!”

The son had barely made it through the gate when the impact of his father’s embrace almost knocked him over. He tried to start his speech, saying, “Father,I have sinned against Heaven and…..”

But his father wasn’t listening. He was kissing him and shouting instructions to the servants.

“Look, my son is home. Run to my closet and bring me my best robe. And bring some shoes with it.”

“And, you, go tell the cook to kill the fatted calf and make a big feast. We are going to celebrate!”

“And, you, go tell the neighbors my son is home and we are feasting. And then go hire that band we like.”

Finally the father took off his ring and put it on the finger of his son, which meant he was restored to the position of his father’s beloved child.

Together they walked back to the house, and the party began.

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Jesus told this story so we can know how God the Father feels about us. Whether you are on the road leaving, on the road heading back or safely home the Father loves you more than you guess, and your welcome party is waiting.

Scripture reference: Luke 15:11-24

The Farmer and His Sons. Part 2

Please read Part 1 if you were not here last week.

And the father kept watching.

Every morning, before he did anything else, he would look down the road for his son. At noon, while out in the fields, he would wipe the sweat from his brow and look down the road. And the last thing he did at night before he closed the front door was look out again and ask God to bring his son home.

But his son was far from home. He had walked until he was in a far country where no one knew him, where no one could carry reports of what he was doing back to his family. There he enjoyed spending his new wealth. He made many new friends and bought them dinner and drinks. He bought nice things for the pretty young women he met. He had plenty of money, so this lasted for quite some time. But finally his money ran out. And when his money was gone, much to his surprise, his friends were, too.

About the same time a famine hit the land. Food became expensive. He sold his fine clothes, gold chains and jeweled rings just to pay for something to eat. In the end he sold his shoes for a small loaf of bread.

He tried begging. When that didn’t work, he took a job feeding pigs. Hungry and alone he sat out in the field watching the pigs gobble down carob pods. He wished he had pods to eat. But no one gave him anything.

What he did have was plenty of time to think.

“What am I doing here?” he thought. “This is dumb! Back home the servants are eating all they want and I am sitting here starving to death.”

It did not take him long to decide he would return home, admit he had been wrong and ask his father to let him work as a hired servant.

So he left the far country and headed back to the farm.

(To be continued)

The son doesn’t know his father has been longing for him to come home, but he does know his father’s character. What do you think there is about his father that motivates the son to go back?

What do you know about the character of God?

If you knew God the Father loves you like this farmer loves his son, would you go to him?

The prophet Jeremiah wrote this:

“For I know what I have planned for you,” says the LORD. “I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

Hope to see you back here next week for the homecoming.

Scripture quoted:Jeremiah 29:11 (NET Bible)

The Farmer and His Sons. Part 1

A long time ago there was a Middle Eastern farmer who had two sons. It was a large farm with hired help. The farmer lived comfortably and had plenty to eat, but he and his sons worked hard. I’m not sure exactly why, but the younger son grew tired of it all. Maybe it was the long days and getting up before dawn. Maybe it was sweating under the hot Mediterranean sun that burned him. Maybe it was taking orders from his older brother. (If you have an older brother you know how bothersome that can be.)

Maybe it was all of the above that led this younger son to go to his father and say, “Give me my share of your property. I’m leaving.”

This broke his father’s heart, but he did it. He shouldn’t have done it, tho. His son was being mean and arrogant. The father should have become angry and kicked the son out for good. Asking for his inheritance was saying to his father, “I wish you were dead!”

However, even though his heart was broken, the father divided up all he had and gave this ungrateful son his share. In a disgraceful move the son sold off part of the family farm, packed his bags and left.

You would think his father would slam the door behind him and say, “Good riddance! Never come back.”

But he didn’t. He watched his beloved son walk away- walk down the path – walk to the main road -turn left and walk away. The father watched until his son was just a speck on the horizon. Then he was gone. And the father kept watching, hoping his son would change his mind and come back.

And every day after that the father kept watching.

(To be continued)

Would you like to have a Father like that? Well, we do! God our Father loves us no matter what and watches for us to come home, no matter what.

John the disciple writes this: See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children — and we are!

Where are you today? Home with your Father or out on the road? Wherever you are your Father loves you.

See you next week for the rest of the story.

Scripture quoted: 1 John 3:1

Pray Like This….Our Father

The house was ablaze and John, having escaped, searched for his young daughter in the dark street. When he could not find her he raced back into the building.

He never came out. She had been outside, but he had not seen her. I was told this story by John’s neighbors. His heartbroken daughter mourned for her courageous dad. But she knew without a doubt one thing many daughters and sons never know – her dad loved her so much he would die for her.

Years ago I worked in an inner city neighborhood and would help out at the local children’s ministry. When I started volunteering I was asked not to tell the children God was their father. Their environment was filled with absent or abusive fathers. Why would any child want to know a God like that?

What is your picture of a father?

It doesn’t matter if you grew up with a great dad, bad dad or absent dad, your heart still wants the care and protection of a loving father.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, either, does it? You still want to know the dad you want wants you. You want to know your father would run into a flaming deathtrap to rescue you.

Amazingly God did just that. God came to us as Jesus, who told his puzzled disciples, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Twelve hours later he was dying on a Roman cross to save your life.

If you want to know what God the Father is like, look at Jesus.

If you want to know what the Father does, watch Jesus.

If you want to know if you are loved enough to die for, ask Jesus.

Paul tells it this way:

He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, …..

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

and through him to reconcile to himself all things,

whether on earth or in heaven,

making peace by the blood of his cross.

It may be difficult to understand God loves us so passionately. But look at Jesus. You will see the God who wants a loving relationship with you. You will see the God who dies for you.

If you haven’t read my last blog, it may help you, so check it out now and do the little exercise. Please follow me so we can meet again next week.

Scripture reference: Colossians 1:15,19-20

Light in the Darkness

silhouette photography of mountain — Photo by Tomáš Malčo Malík on Pexels.com

Yesterday afternoon, Saturday, my festive small town shopping district was jarred into darkness by gun fire. A local merchant died publicly from self-inflicted wounds. The street that a week ago welcomed Santa on the fire engine now was filled with police vehicles and the crime scene truck. This tragedy followed closely behind two others nearby: a church that burned to the ground from arson, and the Jersey City shootout that took the lives of a police detective and three others.

We know now that owners of a Kosher deli and the attached Jewish school were targets in the plot which led to the urban shootout. As the peaceful little town of Bethlehem was driven into agony by King Herod, so these terrorists were anxious to kill Jewish boys.

Matthew is the only Gospel writer who notes Herod’s atrocity. Perhaps Matthew’s little brother was among the toddlers slain so cruelly. We don’t know, but the memory of that day was Matthew’s to share.

We want so badly to expunge these dark stories from our Christmas. Yet, that is exactly where they belong.

The prophet Isaiah : The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

The prophet Micah : Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;…when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.

Jesus’ friend John: In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

THE DARKNESS CANNOT OVERCOME THAT LIGHT.

That is the Christmas story. Not even the darkness of killing God’s beloved son on a Roman cross can overpower his Light.

When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,” he was talking to you. He was telling you that all the darkness around you, and all the darkness within you, cannot overpower the life he brings to you.

I hate being in the dark, which is why I carry flashlights everywhere. I want to be the one with the light when the electricity goes off. I want to have light when the sun sets and we are still in the woods. I want to have light in my heart when the world goes dark.

Do you want to carry such light everywhere? You need to ask Jesus to enter your heart. He made you a promise:
“I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

Scriptures: Isaiah 9:2 (ESV) Micah 7:8 (ESV) John 1:4-5 (CSB) John 8:12