Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"If a man has a hundred sheep and one
of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't
he leave the ninety-nine others in the
wilderness and go to search for the one
that is lost until he finds it? And when he
has found it, he will joyfully carry it home
on his shoulders."
Luke 15:4-5, NLT    

Reflection:

We may be able to understand a God
who would forgive sinners who come to
him for mercy. But a God who tenderly
searches for sinners and then joyfully
forgives them must possess an extraordinary
love! This is the kind of love that prompted
Jesus to come to earth to search for lost
people and save them. This is the kind of
extraordinary love that God has for you.    

If you feel far from God, don't despair.
He is searching for you.

A small town had four churches Presbyterian,
Methodist, Catholic and Baptist.
All four had a serious problem with squirrels
in the church. Each church in its own fashion
had a meeting to deal with the problem.

The Presbyterians decided that it was
predestined that squirrels be in the church
and that they would just have to live with them.

The Methodists decided they should deal with
the squirrels lovingly in the style of Charles
Wesley. They humanely trapped them and
released them in a park at the edge of town.
Within 3 days, they were all back in the church.

The Catholics also humanely trapped them and
attempted to teach them the "rhythm" method
which of course did not work.

The Baptists had the best solution. They voted
the squirrels in as members Now they only see
them at Christmas and Easter.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:13 (New International Version)

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.

Reflection:

By the time our children reach adulthood,
most of us have formed opinions of our
children.  Many parents are proud of pretty
much everything their children have
accomplished.  Other parents, however,
expressed real misgivings or disappointment
about the choices their children have made.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
(New International Version)
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with
the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,
they will cease; where there are tongues,
they will be stilled; where there is knowledge,
it will pass away.
Remember when our children no longer seek our
advice, THEY STILL VALUE OUR LOVE.
In every stage of parenting, it's not only
what we say but what we do that counts.

Prayer:

Oh Lord in Your mercy grant to us a home
where Christ is our shepherd, and God is
our Father.  Oh Jesus give up peace and
joy from heaven above and abide in our
family from day to day.  In Jesus Name
Amen

Reminder:  "A parents love never, ever
ends!"