Semper Reformanda

prod·i·gal ˈprädəɡəl/ adjective 1 . spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant. The parable from Luke 15 begins with "t here was a man who had two sons." It has long been referred to as "The Parable of the Prodigal Son."  However, in its context, the real focus isn't on the son (or even both sons), but the Love of their Father. Some have even referred to the Father's Love as that which is truly "Prodigal" ( "wastefully extravagant; reckless"). Better titled, "The Prodigal Father." A recent worship song focuses on this "Reckless Love" Reckless Love   (Lyric video) Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God There’s no shadow You won’t...

I took the LG's (little girls) to High Rise, yesterday.  Turning 47 today, it was a good reminder of 2 Cor. 4:16: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." While my body is slowing down (and "high rise" has become "low rise"), I am continuing to grow spiritually.  I am thankful for that.  I am also thankful for just enough energy to keep up with these little ones: These verses give me hope: Isaiah 46:4  " Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you." Job 12:12 " Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" Love, ~Dad

Last weekend, I drove to Dallas for a Bible Conference on...Hell.  I realize that is a very odd, narrowly-focused conference.  It may even sound a little morose, but it's something I've been studying in-depth for several years, for which this was a kind of culmination. Universalism is the belief that everyone will go to heaven.  Eventually. Somehow.  Most of the arguments are "theological", based upon the nature and character of God's love.  However, the Biblical support for this position is lacking. Meanwhile, there is another position that has been held by some throughout the last 2,000 years of church history, and has gained recent momentum within the last 100 years and even more within the last 10.  It has many names, but the most popular is Annihilationism .  This is the belief that God will still punish unbelievers in hell, BUT that punishment will not be eternal.  A preferred name is "Terminal Punishment".   I am convinced ...

This weekend, we  started cleaning out the garage.  I have 2 huge bins of Sermon Tapes.  They are a collection of all my favorite sermons over the years...(that include some of my own sermons). I had this fantasy that after I died, my children would all listen to all of my favorite sermon tapes. (I know, right? Just being transparent, here) My thoughtful wife encouraged me to just save my own sermons and maybe someone will listen to one of those.  So, I did that. It feels good to let some things go.  (My book library is next and that is going to be a much more savage and painful purge). Solomon's reflections helped me realize that people have their own dreams, struggles, and memories to make, and they won't be dwelling on old messages...especially ones on plastic cassette tapes: Ecclesiastes 1:11 "No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them." Ecclesiastes 2:16 " For the wise...

Sleeping at Last is writing a Series of songs on the 9 Personality Types of the Enneagram.  This song released last week about Type 3, "The Achiever" .  I don't think this is "my type", but definitely resonates with a big part of me.  (Mom and tried to figure out everyone's types, which was fun.) "The Achiever" Basic Fear:  Of being worthless Basic Desire:  To feel valuable and worthwhile I had actually written a long post over the weekend, which I was super excited about sharing... and it was about....yep! Worthiness! But then, I lost it. Gone.   Feeling pretty worthless now!  But this song is a great encouragement: " I set aside the highlight reel and  leave my greatest failures on display with an asterisk Worthy of love anyway" To be continued... Song with Lyrics here: 3 Maybe I've done enough And your golden child grew up Maybe this trophy isn't real love And with o...

  Phil Connors from Groundhog Day: "That's exactly what makes me so special.  I don't even have to floss." In the early years of our family's arrival to Northwest Arkansas, we would make our quarterly trip to the local dentist, Dr. Harrison. The staff were so amazed by the children's manner, that they would often commend Katie and me on our parenting. Granted, they were also seeing many other children at their worst (visiting the dentist). Nevertheless, our kids made a very positive impression. Like many, I'm not a fan of the dentist. On one visit, I confessed to Dr. Harrison my lack of flossing. As I braced for his scolding rebuke, Dr. Harrison surprised me with this decree: "You just stay focused on raising your children, and you don't have to floss." Phil Connors declared, "That's exactly what makes me so special.  I don't even have to floss." But for me, I don't have to floss; be...