Christianity

This morning I will be preaching on the “Prodigal Son. It’s one of my favourite parables.

One of the points I will be highlighting is what the father did NOT say to his wayward son.

He didn’t say, “I told you so”, “You’re a screwup”, “You should be ashamed of yourself”.

God doesn’t use those words either. You have never gone to far from God that you can’t come back.

Jesus came to rub sin out, not to rub it in.

We are 2 and a half weeks into our European holiday. Germany was fabulous, Poland unforgettable and we are now enjoying the Czech Republic. We are a bit homesick as well. FaceTiming the Grandchildren is great but we miss their hugs.

Watching church via livestream is good but being there is better.

This is not a complaint. I am conscious of how blessed we are to be able to travel like we do. We are creating so many wonderful memories. But home is home.

During World War 2 my Dad fought for Australia in Papua New Guinea. One day he was crossing a river when the rope broke and he fell into a raging river. He drowned but was revived by some local people. He told me he saw heaven before he was revived. He said it was beyond his ability to describe but he said it was more beautiful and peaceful than he could express.

Sometimes we can be homesick for heaven. The world is wonderful but heaven is a place without sickness, tears of disappointment. We can hold onto this amazing hope.

I had a fall at home this week. I was doing some gardening and tripped on some branches and landed on a branch. I knew straight away something was wrong as a huge lump instantly appeared below my knee.

Having experienced a few years ago, acute spontaneous compartment syndrome in my other leg I knew I had to get to the doctors to check out my injury.

The doctor did a thorough examination and said it was a pool of blood that would resolve itself but I needed to use ice, rest and use compression bandages.

Last night I was in a lot of pain as I tried to sleep so I prayed, “Jesus hold me”. The pain meds were not helping and I couldn’t sleep so I just wanted to be held. I instantly knew that Jesus was holding me. No judgement, no platitudes. Just a beautiful awareness that I was loved by God who knows me and loves me anyway.

He loves you too.

Truths about forgiveness.

God designed our bodies to best function on grace not grudges.

Forgiveness heals you from the inside out.

Freedom never asks you to walk back into harm - ever. Boundaries are imperative and right.

Forgiveness is releasing the right to retaliate.

We don’t forgive because they deserve it.

Forgiving and forgetting is not reality.

Bitterness is drinking poison hoping the other person will die.

Sometimes all we can pray is “God I don’t want to forgive, I am angry and bitter, please help me to want to forgive”.

Forgiveness may not be a one time decision. Sometimes it’s layered and revisiting the pain will be many occasions.

Blessing the person is often the last step. It’s not about feeling but obedience.

No one is immune from pain, sorrow and hurt. Feelings will often lag behind our decision making. It’s normal. Choosing to forgive is an act of faith.

Is forgiving easy? Rarely. It’s a gesture of grace. Yet, it’s wonderfully liberating.

Self loathing is not holy. Shame has no place in Christianity. We need to forgive ourselves. We need to let go of inner criticism. Conviction addresses a specific sin. Self Condemnation says we are a failure, asks us to live in paralysis and shame.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103‬:‭12‬ ‭GNT‬‬

youtu.be/fdsz3ou9wa4

amp.abc.net.au/article/13106662

I don’t know about you but I need constant reminding of this.

I needed to hear this today. Hopefully it encourages you too.

Shed a lot of tears in church this morning. I hate crying but the service was so emotional this morning. My daughter spoke about the hymn, “It is well with my soul”. One of my favourites.

My Wife shared about when our daughter was born after a 36 hour labour, our baby wasn’t breathing. The doctors frantic intervention wasn’t working, so in desperation my Wife started singing the song she would frequently sing over our unborn baby, “Jesus loves me”.

As soon as she started singing our baby lifted her head a little and started breathing.

When our daughter was a seriously ill teenager a doctor told us to stop seeking a solution to her chronic health issues and to take her home and “let her rest and enjoy her short final days”.

We ignored that advice. Doctors said she would never work, marry, have children or live a long life. Today she owns her own business, employs 15 people, has two children and is a Pastor in our church.

We triumph in it until we triumph over it. Life hasn’t been easy for her. A few years ago when I was hospitalised for bad mental health I got the news that my daughters son, Tobias, had passed away. Such unimaginable grief and pain.

Yet, in those days of formidable pain, we experienced the great love, comfort and presence of God.

Be encouraged today. You are loved. There is hope. It is well.

As many of you know some years ago we went through a serious legal fight that went for over two years. Someone, aided by a sibling made an allegation that I assaulted them back in 1983. They went to the police with an elaborate accusation that was full of very specific minute details.

Covid kept delaying the case so we couldn’t get specifics of the accusation until about a few months before the trial. When we did get the details everything changed. The year I was supposed to have committed the crime I was either overseas or interstate. We were also able to prove many other lies.

The police once they received this information withdrew the charge, one week before the court date.

My lawyer always said that the whole case resolved around money. We were received communication from a third party asking how much we would pay to make it go away. Turns out our lawyer was correct.

This week we were advised the liars have gone to the police and now said they had the wrong year. My lawyer believes the police will do nothing because a) they wasted so many resources b) the credibility of the liars was exposed c) They were so specific about everything it’s highly doubtful they could get the year wrong.

It was still a disturbing phone call to get and it has rattled my mental health a lot.

I need to focus on God, my defender, and believe that once again the truth will prevail.