Eat The Word

Quote

"For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,"

Hebrews 2:11

#sanctification #father #son #brothers

Quote 2
Notes

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,"

Hebrews 1:3

#scripture #hebrews #father #son

Quote

"So Jesus said to them, When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."

John 18:28-30

#john #scripture #father #jesus

Quote 2
Notes

"…If you knew me, you would know my Father also."

John 8:19

#john #scripture #jesus #father

Text 1
Notes I Throw the First Stone at Myself

I can easily become the mouthpiece of the accuser when I examine myself. I find myself guilty and accept condemnation without question.

I read about Jesus handling the adulterous woman before her accusers. The Holy God standing before her levels the field to dust as he reminds the self-righteous audience that all have sinned. He offers them the opportunity to judge, but only if they are willing to be judged like-wise. The oldest, presumably the most experienced with their own sinfulness, walk away from judgement first. The rest follow.

This adulterous woman is left alone before the only man who never sinned who has every right to judge and condemn, but instead he talks with her, even asks her a question.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one”, she answers

“Neither do I condemn you, now go and sin no more”.

Now go and live the free and un-condemned life, saturated with God’s love.

Just as Jesus learned everything from his Father, so he learned this, not to condemn me. Now Matthew, go and live the free and un-judged life. Your Father already approves of you.

#father #son #adulterous #free #condemnation

Text 4
Notes Parenting is always new.

Every night we have a routine for our boys. 7:30pm play time in their room for 30 minutes. 8:00pm read for thirty minutes. 8:30pm Pray, put on the armor of God (a little spiritual dressing for battle routine) and go to bed.

Last night the schedule was a bit off, and Brighton only had 15 minutes to read because he and Levi had spent more time watching a bit of Thomas the train. When I came to help Brighton move into sleeping mode he was upset that he couldn’t keep reading. It’s important they get to bed on time for school the next day, so 8:30 is a good boundary.

In the past I would have simply let him be upset and cry it out, thinking that his cries were only manipulation to try to get me to change my mind, and many times they are certainly infused with that! Last night, a fruit of the soaking in the Father’s love came to bare.

I walked into the boy’s room. Brighton was crying.

What are you upset about buddy

I wanted to read those books some more

I’m sorry Brighton, I know you do. We can read more in the morning if you want.

I know, but I want to read more now.

I’m sorry buddy, but not tonight.

Instead, I brought Brighton to our room where I knew we could have some Papa and Brighton time. I took him on the bed, and he laid on top of me and cried while I rubbed his back. I comforted him with my presence. The boundary of going to bed at 8:30 was getting pushed back a bit, but it was getting pushed so that I could build more trust with my son. I asked him what he was feeling, and told him that Papa gets sad sometimes too, and it can hurt in my chest. I asked him where it hurt him, he said it hurt in his belly. I rubbed his back some more and he began to calm his little heart and rest with me. We prayed that Jesus would hug him in a way that would heal the hurt and sadness he was feeling.

We prayed, and as we prayed my hope that Brighton would get to know this man Jesus, and the great kindness of our Papa in heaven who is always facing toward us, ready to receive us, ready to throw a party for us. We prayed, and I prayed behind my prayer - that Brighton would find his way to the Father’s love on his own, more and more.

It took some time for me to connect with Brighton in this way. It’s easier just to have rules that need to be followed, and little boys who need to “mature” to follow them. It’s easy for me to follow a prescription of the rod. But in 12 years when Brighton is 17 to actually want to come and be with me when he’s sad, or has sinned, or needs help.

Jesus, grant me the patience, and the weakness now as a papa to these boys, to need you and your Father, and your Holy Spirit without end, that I might depend on you as I hope my children will.

#father #parenting #love

Quote

"If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world."

John 12:47

#scripture #john #father #judgement #love

Text Provoke

Do you think you can provoke the Father’s anger? Think again. His love is not that fickle.

#father #love #sin

Quote

"8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.9 And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Revelation 5:8

(Source: youversion.com)

#scripture #revelation #promise #priests #kingdom #city #heaven #Father #ransom

Text Hound of Heaven

He’s in hot pursuit of me. I can hear him baying loudly through the forest. I am not afraid, I am screaming out for him, come Father!! Come and find me!

#father #pursuit #love