It is not always, "Like father, Like son!"

Another one of Jesus' ancestors was King Asa, the son of the wicked Abijah (Matthew 1:7). Thankfully, Asa was nothing like his father, and he remained faithful to the Lord for most of his life. This is how he is described in 1 Kings 15:

"Asa did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, as his ancestor David had done."- v.11

"Although the pagan shrines were not removed, Asa’s heart remained completely faithful to the Lord throughout his life." - v.14

As much as each of us is shaped and influenced by our families and peers, we all need to take responsibility for our own faith. Asa could have also ended up as the "bad apple", but he chose a different path from his father, and he ended up leaving a fairly positive legacy. 

Asa was not perfect and sadly towards the end of his 41-year reign, he began to make some foolish mistakes. On the whole, he is still considered to be a good and godly King, thus putting pay to the old saying: "like father, like son!" In the end, Asa was nothing like his dad.

As we think about the life of Jesus, especially during the season of Advent, it is wonderful to reflect on how much Jesus reflects the nature of his Father. The bible reminds us that we actually get a glimpse of God, through the person and life of Jesus.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Father to the fatherless

Fathers have been getting a lot of bad press over the last while and although there are a number of bad apples in the bunch, there are still many fathers who do an amazing job of loving their kids. 

I guess the same could be said for God in some ways. The image of God as a father has come under pressure in some quarters, but we can't ignore that God reveals himself in many ways just like a perfect father would. There are attributes of God's personality that are surely revealed in both masculine and feminine ways, but the unique gift of the 'father-heart' of God is still a beauty to behold.

On this Father's Day let us hold onto all the best qualities of a father and remember to look for them in the person of Yahweh. 

Psalm 68:15 - A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Isaiah 22:21 - He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the people of Judah.

Pliny the Elder - "No mortal man, moreover is wise at all moments."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Earth maker

In her book 'Penguins and Golden Calves', Madeleine L'Engle mentions how she came across an unusual prayer in a book in New Zealand. In this particular prayer book, the Trinity is referred to as "Earth Maker, Pain Bearer, Life Giver."

I think it is definitely unusual, but also very intriguing. As soon as we try and pin God down through our use of language, we immediately run out of words to describe God in an adequate way. God is always going to be SO MUCH MORE than we can imagine, comprehend or describe.

Father - Creator - Author - Earth Maker
Son - Jesus - Friend - Saviour - Redeemer - Pain Bearer
Spirit - Comforter - Guide - Advocate - Life Giver

Exodus 34:10 -  "Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Good, good Father

Chris Tomlin sings a beautiful song called 'Good, good Father', as an ode to our heavenly Father. This is such an appropriate song to sing on Father's Day and if you would like to listen the song you can click here

These are the words to the song - enjoy.
Living in Grace
D3LM3


Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like
But I've heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you're pleased
And that I'm never alone

Chorus: You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching
For answers only you provide
'Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word

Chorus:

 'cause you are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us

You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us

Oh, it's love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think

As you call me deeper still [3x]
Into love, love, love