father, forgive

As I come down from a caffeine high I sit and watch what can be called the pulpit of our Countries most popular and influential spiritual leader, yes at 4:00 on ABC nation wide, millions of women (and men) tune in to watch Oprah. Today on her show she has a family that has been changed forever by an upright, highly moral, father that was convicted of bank robbery when one of his own son's turned him in.
This man raised four good men. He was a respected member of the community and yet he admits, after a few years in the pin, that his morals and good character weren't as high and as good as he had had thought.
That was puzzling to Oprah or I should more accurately put it 'interesting.' Is it so puzzling that a good man can commit a federal crime and change the lives of his entire family? His children are upset that he would disregard the welfare of his family. His response was that he dealt with the pressure and stress of life in a bad way and now is suffering the consequences. That is true. I do not doubt that.
What I find 'interesting' is that the response that Oprah and her 'professional counselor' gave. "It is OK to live what you are feeling." In other words, "You have every right to be upset at your father. Be angry. Be upset. Give him the silent treat (as one son is)."
My point is, are the sons, or Oprah, or the rest of us any better than this father who is "praying for forgiveness."?
These men do have a right to be upset they were hurt. But are they to be so selfish to think that they are better than their father because they have not robbed banks?

This makes me wonder if I am just in my anger and discontent with my father. I am just as bad of a person as he is. I to have failed people. I too have broken promises, said hurtful things, and have blamed others when I am at fault.
I hope that these men will come to the realization that their father needs their forgiveness, just as much as my father needs mine.

grace

It has been quite a while since my last post. There a numerous reasons why I have been away from blogging. Less frequent trips to the coffee house, work, lack of internet at home, and most of engagement.
I never realized until recently the toll that the stress of engagement has had on me. I have been more whiney at work, more tired, at home and disenchanted with the realities of life.
I do not mean that I am not happy in my engagement. Nor does it mean that I do not feel blessed to have the job that I do. What I mean is that I have failed to have an accurate view of my current circumstances.
In a sinful reaction to the unnoticed stress I have created a facade. I have been telling myself I deserve Kristin, I deserve a great community, I deserve to be the next manager at the 'Starbucks Dowtown Marriott'.
I have failed to realize that I have what I have, not because I deserve it, but because of Grace. And I feel ashamed to have forgotten it at all.

It was God's grace that chose godless men like Noah and Abraham and gave them righteousness. It was Grace that used these men to change the world. It was Grace that built a nation to teach God's law. It was Grace that gave Solomon all of his splendor. It was Grace that birthed the emmaculate child. And it was Grace that opened the tomb. It was Grace that stoned Stephen. It was Grace that blinded Saul on the road to Damascus. And it is because of Grace that we will eat of the Tree of Life.
Grace. Grace. Grace. That is what has put me here. That has given me a wife. That has given me a purpose.
And I pray that you too will remember Grace, because with out we all are a bunch of people doomed to live a life not that special.