Luke 15:23-24 The story of the prodigal son is well known. What gets missed is the party and what happens after the momentous meeting between father and wayward son. The older brother story. We all want to be appreciated in life. When this is based on insecurity, we can be a bit overbearing. With God there is always more than enough love to go around. It’s OK to celebrate someone else being blessed. Who can you celebrate with this week?
And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk
Faith in real life
Category Archives: Uncategorized
an open confession
OK, so here is the story. I have always considered this a teaching blog. It was not meant to build a community. I have a large audience which gets this in e mail form, rather than having to check out the blog.
I have always responded to everyone’s e mails when you write, but the gist is, I didn’t want to create a community where people who have way too much time on their hands comment in a pithy, sarcastic or crude way about what is dear to me.
Jesus.
I love him more than I do my mother. And I love her a lot. So if you are going after Jesus it is a bit like you going after my mother.
More confession.
I was already prejudiced against the blogger community because I read the anti-Christian blogs and blog comments. Believe me, I was not bothered by this because I didn’t consider myself up to the task of going Fight Club on you. Actually, I was always rather disappointed by the intellectual competition. So, now you have arrogance on my part, to add to the mix.
At least I was smart enough to stay out of the fray until I got a better attitude about bloggers. I do actually want to connect through comments. Lucky for you, right?
No more no comments.
My webmaster Rob, has been bugging me to add the “comments” feature for a couple of years now and I finally agreed.
He is right; I was wrong.
So comment. Send this link to your friends. Go ahead. I will not disappoint.
And by the way, I am even on Facebook now.
“Ohh, he is really getting out there…”
And another by the way…Carlos, you closed the deal.
folks check out www.ragamuffinsoul.com
this matters
Yesterday, after having lunch, I stopped at a party for Lisa: birthday/ graduation/ college scholarship celebration. What a great time to be graduating from High School. “A whole life ahead of you” and such comes to mind. What an amazing young woman (Lisa is at the back left next to the one goofy guy/son sitting with the godchicks).
How do I know it’s a great time for someone like Lisa? How can I be sure?
She gets it.
I really like the quote:
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Then I remember another one:
“If you want God to laugh, just tell him your plans.”
These are not mutually exclusive statements.
The specifics can vary widely but you can become the kind of person who has a lot to do with what your future is going to hold.
I am going to comment on this during the week. High school graduates, high school students, and those who love them, check it out. Who knows, I might come up with something.
Hey Lisa- you rock
brain-based afternoon
Had lunch in Pasadena (seared Ahi sandwich) with my friends Steve Goodwin and Rich Melheim. We talked about Rich’s brain-based research performing arts preschool project and the possibilities of expanding from Southern California to India, China and Korea. If you know Melheim, it doesn’t surprise you. Could start a revolution in education and plant a few churches while we are at it.
Our waiter’s name was “Dane.” I told him my name and he said, “That’s my name, too. But I go by ‘Dane,’ because it is just too confusing.” I told him I use my middle name “Ed” whenever I need to give my name in public. I call this, “Starbucks Ed.”
So, if your name is Terry, Robin, Sam, Pat, Ricky, Mel…Dane and Ed salute you!
visiting Kristina at school
Drove down to UC Riverside yesterday to see our baby girl, Kristina, perform in her first play at the University Playworks. The plays are written by students, and I didn’t know what to expect. A Marxist interpretive dance of the life of Robin Yount, or something like that. I don’t know.
The small theatre was packed and it was great! Theatre people are so energized. There is a lot of talent in the playwrights. Again, I am amazed at how important it is to know that you are telling a story. The more you get that right, everything else begins to fall into place.
Good to meet her friend Zach, too. Dude did not want to be there, but he made the most of it and we had a chance to connect. Talked about minor league baseball and the strengths and waknesses of Intelligent Design, among other things. I love college.
my friend’s birthday
Guys are so different than women when it comes to personal life. Philip (pictured here) is someone I am as close to as just about anyone; we have connected as friends, confidants and colleagues for about four years now. So, what is the “different than women” angle?
Today is Philip’s birthday. We meet often on Friday morning for coffee and so we just happen to get together this morning.
P: “O, by the way, today’s my birthday.”
D: “No way.” (what I really meant: “Am I an idiot for not knowing that.”)
So how many women out there are very close to someone and you don’t know their birthday? Is this a guy thing or is it just me?
I did a preemptive strike with Philip. My birthday is exactly one week later on June 6.
Philip you are one of the coolest, most authentic gifted guys I know. Even though I don’t know your birthday. Now I do.
Happy birthday, friend! Love you, man…(guy talk for intimate expression of affection)
his people
Isaiah 51:11 Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness. Sound familiar? Look at Revelation 21:24. God’s plan is echoing throughout history. He is rescuing and restoring his people. “His people” means anyone who wants God in their lives. Jesus makes this clear. Pray for those seeking God that they will be receptive.
see
Psalm 145:7
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
There will be a day when God will be visible to all. His love will be seen through his people and the only way to avoid seeing it will be by denying it.
Be an ambassador for Jesus by who you are.
hope
Psalm 126:6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. With God, timing is everything. To know there will be reason for joy someday because of past experience makes present suffering possible. You have seen God work before. Pray for an attitude of hope.
Congressional leadership
At the American Legion yesterday, had time to talk to Congressman Brad Sherman, and his aide Matt. Matt remembered my name and who I was and and introduced me before the Congressman had a chance to say anything. Kind of like Hector Elizando in The Princess Diaries (Hector belonged to my health club and is a pretty down to earth guy, but that’s for another day). Matt gets high marks by me. Gracious and effective at what he does.
Congressman Sherman gets high marks, too. Here is why. Every time I have heard him speak in a public gathering, he uses a lot of self-effacing humor. He does a preempt on what people think about politics and politicians and sets the tone for everyone to relax. This is a big thing when it comes to leadership and speaking. Instead of regurgitating some internet joke from an e mail forward, just find a way to cut up on yourself. That’ll work.
