Alright, so I’m reading along in Mark’s book, right.  I’m like a dozen sentences into it, barely even a couple of paragraphs, and bam, God says, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Jesus hasn’t done anything cool yet.  Water hasn’t been walked on.  Five loaves of bread and five fish are still five loaves of bread and five fish.  Blind people are still buying at the Braille Bookstore.

Why is the G Daddy pouring praise on his Son before he even really gets started with his Life?

Answer: That’s what fantastic father’s do.

Agree?

Doin’ it?

When you goof something up, what is the response you would prefer from your people?

a.  “What a loser.  You can’t get anything right.”
b.  “You got issues.”
c.  “You’re better than this.  I believe in your potential.”
d.  “I’ll pray for you.”
e.  No response.
f.  You shouldn’t hang with us.  You’re too messed up.

Give it… and you’ll probably get it back.

Agree?

(And who, including you, isn’t brimming with potential?)

law is easier than grace

“Most people I know who claim to follow God are really sucky people who don’t care about anything but themselves and their comfort.”

(For the rest of the story — although the comment really does stand on its own — go to http://www.flowerdust.net/2008/10/17/keeping-your-mouth-shut/ ).

Made a major mess.

Things changed dramatically.

Discovered.

More things changed.

Discovered the beauty of disaster.

Found peace.

Rhythm restored.

Alive again.

We have this cool little GPS thing in the work van.

When you miss a turn or somehow get off course, it politely tells you to slow down and turn around.  It doesn’t get on the phone and tell its GPS buddies about your failure.  It doesn’t broadcast your blunder over the Internet via email.  It doesn’t even get miffed and never talk to you again, jumping off the dash and leaving you to flounder around in unknown territory.

The GPS in the work van is more Christian than I am.