My Dad's Voice

For as long as I can remember my day's voice has been a constant and caring guiding force in my life. I have listened to his words of advice, critical yet loving feedback, interactions with others, and core values of service to others. Like most typical children, when I messed up, it was Dad's voice I avoided. When I accomplished something worthwhile it was and is still his voice that I seek for affirmation. 

Even as a successful adult with much responsibility, I often find myself wondering, "hhmmmm, what would Dad say about that?".  I have looked toward his voice as my anchor for nearly 46 years now. It has been a source of comfort and center of influence my entire life.  Yes, he is opinionated and has very high expectations for those with whom he associates, but he is also one of the most giving people I have ever known. 

On January 28th Dad checked himself into the hospital for an elective hip replacement that should have taken no more than a couple months of recovery time at home and 3 days in the hospital at most. But, our Heavenly Father had very different plans. To spare you all the gory details, lets just say after multiple hospitals and many, "it'll be a miracle if he makes it 24 hours" , God wasn't finished with him yet! And yesterday, after almost 6 months of not hearing my Dad's voice, we had a 3 hour conversation about nothing really. But that conversation has blessed me more than any other. I didn't realize how I missed his voice until I heard it again. 

Nehemiah 1:10-11New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

     

As I basked in the comfort of his voice, I began to realize that God gave me Jesus as a guide as well. He blessed me with my earthly father to train me in the ways of servanthood, but he blessed the world with Jesus of Nazareth, descendant of David, son of God to train me in all His ways. Dear Father, may I be a constant and humble student of your Word and Ways.   I cannot imagine how I will feel the day I get to hear the voice of Jesus.  As sweet as my dad's voice is to my earthly ears, the heavenly voice is one I long to one day hear.

His guidance and example through God's Word and the whispers He allows me are a blessing here on earth just as my Dad's love and example have been. I praise his name for giving this servant success by granting me favor in the presence of man. 

Sharing My Jesus!

Shawn 

Forgiveness

   Oh what that one word means!  It is almost impossible to have a complete understanding of it, yet I would go out on a limb to say that most of us begin our prayers asking God  to forgive us. God has presented me with several situations recently to think about the concept of forgiveness; and on Wednesday during prayer meeting, that was the topic Pastor placed before us. Coincidence?  I think not!  Sometimes when I refuse to be still, God puts me in time out for my own good. :)

   Our study on Wednesday evening was of Matthew 18:21-35,  which is the parable of the unmerciful servant.  (V.21-22). "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

   Jesus clearly tells us all that we SHALL forgive our brother as many times as he sins against us. Now, if you sat down and made a mental note of all the people (brothers) who offended you in one way or another today, I bet you could make a pretty healthy list. Others you encounter throughout the course of your day may sin against you, but because you are having a relatively good day, you just let it  go in the spirit of being a "good" Christian. However other times even the simplest, unintended slight can become the biggest stumbling block for us for weeks and even months, depending on our mood at that particular time. 

    Forgiveness is such an important teaching point of Jesus' that we can find 124 different references to it in the Bible. Interestingly, very few of them are from the Old Testament.  The references to forgiveness there are almost exclusively about repentance in the form of some offering to God to repay the debt of sin, as required by Jewish law. As a matter of fact, the law required actual atonement of the debtor.  Additionally, in  pagan cultures forgiveness was considered a personality weakness, and many times small transgressions were considered to be beneath important or influential men. (Hmmmm.... I think I've seen that philosophy very recently.)   

     My favorite  verse about forgiveness is Ephesians 4:23. 

   "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  It speaks of both human and divine forgiveness.   So, as I take inventory of those who I need to forgive and the much longer list of those who have forgiven me; I think of God's sacrifice for us and maybe the most recognized verse in the New Testament.  Luke 23:24 "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do."

   Heavenly Father forgive me. Lead me to live and forgive as Jesus did. 

~Amen

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Sharing My Jesus,

Shawn