Believe my Finest Friends have 'hit the sack', so I am planning to do the same, folks!
Posted on 10/07/2007 7:03:40 PM PDT by The Mayor
The Day God Ran
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:20-24
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about people who are runners. Not the track and field kind-but those who are on the run from God. You know who you are. You might sit in church on Sunday, but in your heart you’re putting distance between you and God.
I don’t know what has prompted you to take off. Maybe you’ve done something you think is beyond God’s mercy to forgive. Maybe someone has hurt you and you don’t understand why God let it happen. Maybe you’d just rather live by your own rules and cling to some silly, sordid something than turn around.
I may not know why you’re running, but I know this: you’re tired. You’ve grown so used to this flight pattern that you can’t imagine life any differently.
Can I ask you to rest for a minute and listen to something that will determine your course for the rest of your life? I’m not exaggerating.
Jesus told a story about a runner. He pictured him as a son taking off from his dad’s house. You probably know the parable of the prodigal son. After all the details of this runner’s rise and fall, Luke 15:17 tells us that he woke up one day in a pigsty and said to himself, “Whoa-how did I get here? I need to go back.”
His first thought was “what will Dad do?” Have you ever thought: If I come back to God, how will He receive me?
Some people think God wouldn’t care one way or the other. He would barely look up from what He was doing to say, “Oh, you’re back. Fine. Just throw your things over there.” But that’s not how Jesus described His Father. He said, “Listen! Hear those feet pounding the pavement? There’s getting closer! That’s God running toward you! He’s been searching the horizon, waiting for just a glimpse of you, and now that He sees you He’s in a full run toward you.” Luke 15:20 says that when the father got to his son, he threw his arms around him and kissed him. Can’t you just picture the tears running down his face? My son! He’s home!
God put that in His Word so that every runner would know what to expect when they reversed course and ran back to God.
I’ve never been more sure of this: God loves you and is running toward you. Will you turn around and fall into His arms?
Believe my Finest Friends have 'hit the sack', so I am planning to do the same, folks!
What a beautiful story. Thank you, Rus!
A friend just sent it to me and couldn’t resist posting it for my FRiends.
I am glad you shared it. It was very touching!
October 9, 2007
READ: Joshua 2:1-14
The Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. —Joshua 2:11
Did you ever wonder why Rahab, the prostitute who lived in the pagan city of Jericho, opened her home to the Israelite spies? And what gave her the courage to name the God of Israel as her own?
This unlikeliest of conversions was prompted by the stories she had heard about the reality and power of God. Though thoroughly steeped in paganism and immorality, her heart was drawn to God. As she told the spies, "We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites" (Josh. 2:10).
Under normal circumstances, the highly fortified city of Jericho would have been virtually unconquerable. Yet it became vulnerable because of the compelling stories of God’s power. Long before God’s people arrived, the self-sufficient pride of this hostile culture dissolved in fear when faced with those who belonged to the God they had heard so much about (v.11). And within the walls, one pagan heart turned to receive the God of Israel and played a strategic role in Israel’s stunning victory.
Let’s boldly tell the stories of God’s greatness. You never know whose heart may be ready to respond!
|
Amen, I have never read that one before.
It’s very touching, Thank you Meg.
Beautiful, Meg~~
Good Morning, Mr. Mayor and Finest Friends!
Be back after while~~~~
Sigh. Your tinypic background won’t show for me. I can read the poem only by clicking and dragging the mouse over it (which highlights the text). I like the poem though.
How sweet your good morning kitty is. You’re really finding some neat gifs to post. :)
Thanks, Billie!
Freepmail!..sigh.. I am corresponding with tinypic.
Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for “The Day God Ran”..Loved it.
So cute! Thank you, jaycee!
|
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
