Light-work

Lest We Forget the Prodigal's Brother

The Prodigal Son is the celebrity sinner, the poster child for stories of failure and forgiveness. For parents of wayward teens, his tale gives them reason to hope. For those who have wandered far from God, the prodigal's return is a prototype for making a fresh start with God. I am not trying to take anything away from his "great comeback" story, but the prodigal is a secondary player in the parable that is named after him.

Parables are intended to make a point, and clues as to the nature of that point will often be found in context, in this case Luke 15. The entire chapter consists of three linked parables, "The Lost Sheep," "The Lost Coin" and "The Prodigal Son," that all answer to the need identified in verses 1-3:

Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable, saying . . . (Luke 15:1-3).

Jesus' three stories are intended to turn the tables on His critics. The religious big-wigs are grousing because Jesus is ministering to riffraff. Instead of celebrating that losers are flocking to the One person who can help them, they're grumbling that Jesus doesn't dust them away like so much shoulder lint.

So Jesus recounts a trio of parables that swell in a crescendo of celebration. First he talks about the recovery of a lost sheep. Yes, this sheep was only 1% of the flock, but surely it's recovery would be reason for joy. Then he talks about finding lost wealth. Even though it was only 10% of someone's life savings, who wouldn't host a party to celebrate its recovery? Finally he talks of a lost son. If you celebrate when one sheep (out of a hundred) is found, or one coin (out of ten) is found, then what kind of celebration would attend the return of a lost son?

Right as Jesus' audience is catching the party vibe, a new character shows up, the prodigal's whining brother. He is the one in the harsh spotlight crashing the party, the party-pooper with an attitude, and the embarrassing spokesman for Jesus' complaining critics. I draw your attention to the prodigal's brother because he is the punch line in Luke 15. THE PRODIGAL'S BROTHER is the one Jesus wants us to examine and understand.

I confess that I see in myself much that reminds me of the prodigal's brother. I have not lived a life of rebellion or moral abandon. I came to Jesus at an early age, began living for Him in earnest as a teen, and have sought to stay true to Him to this day. (Don't misunderstand me. I am just as much a sinner as the most profligate prodigal - no difference. And my steady pursuit of Christ has not kept me from presenting a pitiful picture of what it means to be His follower on occasions without number.) Despite my failures, flaws, and growing pains along the way, however, I am a fair example of the classic "good kid."

So when I observe the prodigal's descent into the depths of loose living, I can't identify. But when I hear his brother protesting, “Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours” (Luke 15:29), I hear in his words the voice of my own dissenting heart. I have expressed words like his, words of disappointment in God for His seeming lack of appreciation.

There are prodigals and there are prodigal's brothers. The prodigal's obstacle is his sense of unworthiness to lay claim to the heart of his father. The obstacle of the prodigal's brother is his sense of entitlement, an insistence upon God's approval for his faithfulness. In its advanced stages, "Prodigal's Brother Disease" (PBD) can rob a man of his joy. He can become a spiritual scrooge who mutters "Bah, humbug" on occasions when even angels are pulling out all the stops.

The religious leaders called out by Jesus have a pronounced case of PBD. It has achieved a level of spiritual toxicity that is acute, perhaps from which there is no recovery. But for anyone who seeks to be faithful (at risk) and who is willing to learn (teachable) from their sad story, there is hope in timely self-screening (self-examination) and treatment (repentance).

Are you a prodigal? Come home to a Father whose grace is greater than your sin. Are you a prodigal's brother? Then serve without strings before it robs you of joy. Stay faithful to God without getting sucked into thinking that God owes you recognition. Your faithfulness matters. Never forget what Jesus says to the prodigal's brother, “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours’” (Luke 15:31). Staying true to God WILL BE WORTH IT. That is no less true for the fact that we party strong when a prodigal comes home.

Catan and Life

Christmas '06, I received a very fun gift, The Settlers of Catan. (Thanks, Ari!) This exercise in building and trading gets my vote for best board game ever. We have enjoyed it with friends and family for over a year and we are still not tired of it. One of the secrets to its longevity lies in its variable game board - Catan utilizes a series of hexagonal tiles which can be placed in a new layout for each round. Another key to our continued enjoyment of Catan lies in the expansion packs, especially Cities and Knights. There's nothing quite like the thrill of having a lock on a metropolis standing proud in a field of amber grain (Click on the picture to get the full effect - doesn't it just give you goose bumps?)

If you have kids who are 10 or older, why not introduce them to Catan? Fun family time together is a rare commodity, but the prospect of a round of Catan will make it a more common occurrence. One word of caution: Especially with the Cities and Knights Expansion Pack, it is difficult to keep things in perspective. This variation is emotionally captivating; There is great joy in the good times when settlements are productive, robbers and barbarians little seen, and trade relationships favorable. But when things are not going well for my group of settlers, I struggle to remember "it's only a game."  Others have recounted a similar challenge of maintaining a positive attitude in hard times. This game will open the door to moments of depression. Sounds bad but this can actually do some good! Let me explain.

Our children need to understand, "Life is not fair - get over it." One of the things I like about Catan is how it helps us do just that. In Catan, things may not be going your way. But winning the game is often achieved, not by having everything go your way (although that helps), but by making the most of what you are given. Pining for a big break and wishing for a windfall could be nothing but a pathway to depression. The path of hope lies in bucking up, getting in the game, and finding a way to chip away at progress. I have watched someone with many disadvantages prevail by persevering. That kind of dogged determination is a valuable commodity, worthy of export from Catan to real life.

Nagging Profits

I like documentaries. Canadian Broadcasting has produced a good one called The Corporation. Here is a clip from the series, the first half of which is breath-taking in its implications. If you are the parent of children under 12, this should be REQUIRED VIEWING. Most sobering are comments by Lucy Hughes (VP of Initiative Media, wearing the red blazer), who reflects on the morality of the corporate sales techniques she promotes. She "doesn't know" if it is ethical, but because it "moves more product," she is satisfied she is doing her job. Please read the next paragraph AFTER you view the clip.

What parent hasn't felt the attraction of peace achieved by placating whining kids. The fact that kids nag and parents give in is no surprise. What is surprising (disgusting?) is that Lucy (co-creator of The Nag Factor) is consciously promoting this dynamic. She and advertisers who want to move products aimed at future consumers are consciously working to bring out the worst in kids. Her and her ilk hunger for profits, even if it means turning your children into nag-monsters. Scary!

What Jesus Wants for Christmas

What would you think of someone who said this?  "For my birthday, I want everyone to celebrate by gaining weight, going in debt, and acquiring lots of stuff."  Weird!  So is Jesus weird or are WE weird for thinking that's how He wants us to celebrate His birth?

I am not going all scrooge here and am definitely not trying to steal any of the seasonal fun of being with friends and family.  BUT, let's not miss out on something deeper.  If we are going to celebrate Jesus' birthday (and I cannot think of a birth more worth celebrating), wouldn't it seem appropriate to ask HIM what gifts He would be pleased to receive from us?  Have you ever received a gift from someone that reflected no knowledge or appreciation for who you are?  Then what can we give to Jesus as we celebrate His birth that reflects our understanding and gratefulness for who He is?

There are many passages in the Bible that tell us what's on Jesus' Christmas list.  Here are a few to get you started:

• Micah 6:8:  Sharing acts of justice and kindness / walking in humility - He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
• Luke 19:10:  Seeking out those who think God doesn't have an interest in them / letting them know Jesus is interested enough to save them - "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
• 1 Tim. 2:3-4:  Giving others the truth they need to embrace their Savior - This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Here's an idea for your family.  Why not read through one of the Gospels at dinner (or whatever time works best for your family) during the month of December.  As you do, have everyone in the family listen for clues about what Jesus wants.  Write your ideas down on a list.  Then as you near December 25, look at what you have compiled.  Identify a specific gift you could give to Jesus, as individuals or as a family. It might be an act of kindness toward someone else, or a change in how your family operates.  Give Jesus something He actually wants!  He's not interested in you gaining weight, going in debt, and acquiring more stuff.

Stop Trying to Please Me! - Postscript

Yesterday, in "Stop Trying to Please Me," I failed to acknowledge an important distinction between "person A" and "person B."  Your comments helped me see something that could round out the previous post.  So let's identify who's who.  In the scenario that I described, "person A" is the one who is reluctant to come to me.  I would be "person B" whose disapproval is feared.  What do we know about each party?  Person A is facing a decision, wants to choose a wise course, seeks to understand what God/the Bible would say to his situation, and is seeking counsel from others (like me) to help him make a wise decision.  Person B is the one who is sought out (by Mr. A) for counsel, who wants to understand what God/the Bible would say to Mr. A's situation, who seeks to communicate what Mr. A needs to consider, and who must not cross the "invisible line."

Mr. B   Now let me first make a comment about person B (that's me).  Please remember that we are not talking about issues of sin, but matters of individual guidance.  When someone is asking about whether to defy the moral law of God, a completely different set of parameters and procedures comes into play.  But when someone is seeking to discern the path of individual wisdom and comes to me asking for counsel, I respect the invisible line when I do two things.  (1) I remind Mr. A that he needs to respond to whatever God says he should do.  He should NOT ACT until he KNOWS what God wants.  But when he knows, it is time to act accordingly.  (2) I express my willingness to support him even though he might choose a path other than what I recommend, AS LONG AS he is responding to what he understands to be God's direction.

In the scenario I described yesterday, this meant taking the initiative to contact Mr. A by phone and assuring him of my belief he is choosing what he is convinced is best and affirming my continued and undiminished support of him.  Sometimes, "not crossing the line" has meant saying something like this:  "I have given you Scriptures and principles that I believe pertain to your situation.  But you need to know that I am extending to you the freedom (and the responsibility) to do what God is asking of you, even if it might be different from the exact course I would prescribe.  I will stand with you in your choice."

Mr. A   For anyone who is wearing the hat of Mr. A, the gravity of his responsibility ought to jet-propel his search for a quality Mr. B.  He NEEDS the best biblical counsel he can get.  Mr. A can be tempted to "play the slots," to gamble against wisdom by going from person to person until he hits the jackpot of someone who will endorse what he already thinks.  The worst thing Mr. A can do is misconstrue Mr. B's unwillingness to cross the invisible line as a license to do "whatever I want."  Mr. A should be humbled by the weight of his personal responsibility to do "whatever God wants," tenacious in his search for godly wisdom, and profoundly grateful for good counsel that helps him honor God.

Stop Trying to Please Me!

Someone recently faced a tough decision.  We are not talking about a clear issue of sin, but a nuanced question of wisdom, of finding the best possible course among several viable and seemingly biblical alternatives.  He landed on what he honestly believed was God's best, but then wrestled with guilt because he suspected I would disapprove of his actions.

As a pastor, there is a fine balance between what my role IS and what it is NOT.  When someone seeks my counsel, it is my job to bring to the table as much relevant biblical teaching as I can find, then to communicate with passion and clarity what I am convinced is authoritative and pertinent.  At the end of such speech is an invisible line I dare not cross.  I cannot make someone else's decision.  I am not the ultimate judge of those decisions.  And, I am definitely not his God.  (This comes as no surprise to anyone, myself included, but in this case it doesn't hurt to repeat the obvious!)

In matters of individual guidance, I become a hindrance to God's work in others when I insist that they do what I say in order to respond to God.  I must give people permission to act on what they are convinced God is saying, even when their response favors a course that I would not choose for them.  The strength of doing this is that it grows people's ability to listen to God and to respond to Him.  When I cross the invisible line, I nurture a mindset in which "what I think" can easily become static that makes it harder for people to tune in to God.

I am not alone in my respect for the invisible line.  Even someone with the clout of an apostle warns against crossing it.  Paul instructs us, "One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike.  Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind" (Rom. 14:5 - NASB95).  The expression "each person must be fully convinced" asks us to "give another permission" to act on what he believes is right.  Have you ever tried to listen to one person speak when another is competing for the floor and refuses to be quiet.  I want to make receiving God's individual guidance more simple for the fact I give them only One Voice to listen to.  There is a time to speak and then there is a time to be quiet.

Narnia for Atheists? Pt. 2 of 2

The brouhaha over the movie, The Golden Compass, is more about the trilogy written by Philip Pullman titled His Dark Materials.  Several elements to the story in the third volume, The Amber Spyglass, will be starkly out of step with a biblically defined theism.  The two main characters, Lyra and Will, fulfill their destiny "to help all the ghosts out of the land of the dead forever" (p. 309).  As this is accomplished and the dead escape, Lyra explains, "All the particles that make you up will loosen and float apart ...you'll be out in the open, part of everything alive again" (p. 319).  So Lyra "saves" the dead by assisting them to dissolve into the cosmic consciousness.

The "bad guy" who's power is broken when Lyra and Will work their magic in the land of the dead is  called "the Authority" and the "ancient of days."  At one point in the story, angels reveal a great secret to an African king who recounts, "It shocked some of us, too, to learn that the Authority is not the creator.  There may have been a creator, or there may not:  we don't know.  All we know is that at some point the Authority took charge" (p. 210).  Near the book's end, Lyra and Will extricate the ancient of days from a crystal litter only to watch him loosen and dissolve.  Here is what follows:  "Only a few moments later he had vanished completely, and their last impression was of those eyes, blinking in wonder, and a sigh of the most profound and exhausted relief" (pp. 410-411).  Perhaps the author is suggesting that the Authority was actually relieved to resign his position of supremacy and grateful to Will and Lyra for assisting him to join the cosmic consciousness.

Mr. Pullman's trilogy does not depict the God, hell, and salvation I know about.  So, how then should we respond?  There's plenty of internet invective out there calling us to avoid the movie like the plaque.  That advice should be heeded by anyone who is going to simply take the family to the movie, buy the books, and devour them unchecked.  But are the only two alternatives "avoid it" and "swallow it?"  How about "examine it" or "refute it?"

We are sheltering kids when we should be equipping them!  The best response to this trilogy is to train your children to discern and evaluate different viewpoints and competing truth claims.  I have every confidence that the truth about God, hell, and salvation are not in jeopardy.  But, men's right belief in these things is always at risk when they are ill-prepared to defend them.

Don't let your heresy meters go berserk when I say this, but we need to contemplate what life would be like without God.  This is precisely what "the Preacher" does in the book of Ecclesiastes.  "Life under the sun," which is life-with-God-factored-out-of-the-equation, is therein manipulated like a Rubik's Cube and examined from every angle.  The beauty of life with God in the center is made more evident by measuring its opposite.   Solomon would tell us, "The best way to appreciate what you have in God is to take some time to think like an atheist!" 

This might not work for small children.  But if your children are older, what if you were to draw them into an examination of the world-view represented in the trilogy?  Could their interest be piqued toward preparing a reasonable defense?  Could they come up with good reasons for a Christian theism?  We need not cower because some men profess to prefer a world without God.  But it ought to sober us that men who know better can't convincingly explain why.  Why not use The Golden Compass as a provocation to make your family members (and yourself) an exception?

Narnia for Atheists? Pt. 1 of 2

In December, the first of the three books in the trilogy, "His Dark Materials," will show itself on the big screen.  The movie trailer shows high production values, acclaimed acting, and an epic scale that transcends worlds - the stuff of Harry Potter, Narnia, and Middle-Earth.  The book, "The Golden Compass," on which the movie is based, is the creation of Philip Pullman and this first installment looks like a holiday blockbuster in the making.  Alas, there is a brouhaha afoot.

Bill Donahue at the Catholic League has a few words for you, It's a ploy to market atheism to kids!  He sees the softening of the film's more offensive elements as a means to cancel parent's objections and get kids to buy the book.  He warns that this is a descent down a path that, by volume three, has the readers celebrating the defeat of the church and the death of God.  That doesn't sound too good.

Philip Pullman's religious views are not in the same catalog as C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and should make us wary.  Here's what he says on his website:  "I don't know whether there's a God or not. Nobody does, no matter what they say. I think it's perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it, but I don't know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere, hiding away.  Actually, if he is keeping out of sight, it's because he's ashamed of his followers and all the cruelty and ignorance they're responsible for promoting in his name. If I were him, I'd want nothing to do with them."

This summer I read all three books in the trilogy.  I did not then know a movie was coming.  But the popularity of the books suggested my need to "stay in tune" with what's affecting people.  I am not decrying Mr. Pullman's right to write what he chooses.  But parents have a right and responsibility to  choose what serves the best interests of their children.  In my next post, allow me to spare you the trouble of reading (and buying) the books, share with you a few excerpts, and help you make a wise choice.

The Addictive Power of Anger, Pt. 2 of 2

Okay, so James 1:20 says anger doesn't produce the good stuff.  What does it produce?  Let's first distinguish between the source (the one who gets angry) and the recipients (the ones toward whom an angry outburst is directed).  We can then ask two different questions:  What does anger produce in the one who gets angry?  And, what does anger produce in those on the receiving end?

Let's talk about the latter group and analyze a situation where the one who is angry (call him Ace) is using anger to compel another to do what is right.  (I will volunteer to be that other.)  Knowing that true righteousness is a matter of the heart, we can make this connection.  When I am the brunt of Ace's anger, he can force me toward compliance, an outward conformity to his wishes.  But at the same time that I comply outwardly, my heart is reinforced to resist.  It reasons, "Ace is out-of-control.  He wants ME to exercise self-control and do what is right, but he's out-of-control.  He is asking me to do what he refuses to do.  No way!"  Bottom line:  Ace's anger might force me to comply on the surface, but at the heart level, gives me a formidable reason to resist doing what is right.  In this, Ace becomes a negative reflection of a heavenly Father whose character and actions give me every reason to do what is right.

What is produced in the one who gets angry?  Besides the obvious (anger breeds more anger), how does Ace's anger work as an accelerant for unrighteousness?  Understanding the phrase, "the anger of man," in James 1:20 is critical.  James is not talking about the anger of God, nor zeal for the things of God like that observed in Jesus' cleansing of the Temple.  He is talking about "man-anger," the passion that arises from the frustration of a personal agenda.  One of Jesus' most stinging rebukes of Peter was this:  "You are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's" (Matt. 16:23).  Peter's judgment was clouded; he became a willing accomplice to the unrighteous one, Satan.  "Man-anger" creates just such an unholy alliance.

(For language buffs, the word translated "of man" in James 1:20 is not the same word translated "man's" in Matt 16:23.  The meanings in both passages are similar, however.  Note that the word in James is without an article which puts emphasis on the quality of the term, hence "man-like anger."  Also of note is the contrast between anger of man and righteousness of God.  "Man-anger doesn't produce God-righteousness" would be the idea.  Man-anger might produce man-righteousness, that is righteousness in the eyes of men, but not God-righteousness which is the genuine article.)

The "anger of man" gets results, alright, the kind of results Satan would be pleased with.  So what's a man prone to anger to do?  (1) Write James 1:20 on a card.  (2) On the flip side write this:  "The temptation to become angry in order to "get results" is a trap!  I will only succeed in making it HARDER for those around me to  do what is right.  And, I will be duped into serving as my enemy's accomplice."  (3) Then whenever your blood is starting to boil because you're not getting the respect you deserve, or things aren't going your way, or your plans are being resisted, flash out your card and f-o-c-u-s on its truth.  (4)  Repeat after me:  "What I want" does not matter.  "What God wants" does.  The ONLY WAY to promote what God wants is by refusing to "GET RESULTS" with anger.

The Addictive Power of Anger, Pt. 1 of 2

Ace struggles with anger and wants help.  He is not alone.  I remember an incident when the children (we have three) were much younger and I totally lost it.  I don't recall what the issue was, but I do remember being totally frustrated by the fact that all my calm and reasonable appeals for action were being completely ignored.  So I put on my angry face (scary!) and started using my angry voice (very loud) and was amazed.  I was getting impressive results.  I had everyone's attention (How could they ignore this louder and scarier me?) and all their energies were focused on compliance.

In this moment I felt the drug-like power of anger.  In my mind, I was "in control."  I was simply using a mode (angry mode) that more effectively motivated others to action.  It would be easy to rationalize a recurring resort to anger, especially when the ends seemed noble and biblically appropriate.  A question asserted itself:  If the goal is for my kids to do what is right, isn't an angry outburst warranted when lessor means are ineffective?  This question exposes one of the compelling attractions of anger.  It gets results!

Yes, anger gets results, but what kind of results?  James 1:20 declares, "For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."  Translation:  Anger may get results, but it does not result in righteousness!  I say again:  Whatever anger is producing, it is NOT righteousness.  Now this begs the question:  What  exactly DOES it produce?  Find out next week in part 2.

Deliverance for Parents Who Pray Like Bozo

I am very impressed with my unimpressive prayer life!   But at least I know I'm a prayer bozo!  And I want to change.  So one of the ways I have worked to improve my prayer life is by using Scripture to inform my petitions.  Here's an example you can check out.  I have two grown sons with whom I believe Jesus would be pleased.  I used this verse-set to inform my prayers for them all through their teen years and I do not lack for evidence that God has answered these prayers!  I think prayers informed by a verse set like this are way better than the "please-bless-Johnnie" generalities the Lord usually hears.