The Parable of the Grape

Jesus told some amazing stories. This is clearly not one of his...

Once there was a head. It was just a Head- it had no body, no arms, no legs, no feet. It was simply a Head. This Head felt left out in a world full of bodies. It was often sad and quite lonely. Day after day the Head would roll to work, roll to lunch and roll home. Each day the Head would look longingly at the woman who worked at the desk next to his, but he could never work up the courage to speak to her- because who would want to talk to a Head? Finally, late one night in the darkness of his bedroom, the Head could no longer contain his agony. He cried out, "God, please help me. I want to be different than the way you made me. I want to be ANYTHING but a Head!" God heard his cry, and when he looked in the mirror the next morning he was amazed to discover he was no longer just a Head. He had transformed into a Grape.

He was thrilled. "Now I can really do something with my life," he thought as he rolled out his front door, "because everyone loves grapes." He decided to roll to the house of the woman from work and ask her out. He bumped against her door until she answered. She opened the door, but seeing as how she had legs and he did not, she looked out over the top of the Grape and did not see him. She retreated into her home. The Grape, however, refused to be denied. He again rolled up against the door until she responded. This time she opened the door, and again seeing nothing, stepped out the door to look around. As she did, she stepped directly on our hero- and squashed him into a tiny grape flavored puddle. The End

So many times we spend our lives wishing God had made us differently. We want to be better looking. We wish our personalities were different. We want different gifts. Pro athletes long to be musicians; musicians want to actors; all of us desire to be significant. It is an endless cycle. We forget the words of Psalm 8 which tell us that "God made us a little lower than the angels and placed a crown of glory and honor on our heads." In the words of the old southern evangelists, "God don't make no junk." I try each day to pray for God to use me just as I am- flawed in so many ways- so I may serve God and do the things He created me to do. Perhaps we should quit praying for God to "make us special" and simply be the people we were created to be. Want to feel special? You were made by God. It doesn't get more special than that...

By the way, this parable (as most parables do) has a moral. And here it is. Ready? Quit while you're a head.   :)  

Because of Jesus,

The Gift of Encouragement

Let me tell you a story. A young computer programmer started his own company. They dealt in hardware and software and very quickly established a niche for themselves in Silicon Valley and beyond. Bigger companies offered to buy them out, but the young man stuck to his guns and continued to grow his little business. Soon his reputation was that of a genius and his little company had become a very big deal. When Apple came calling, asking him to become their new CEO, he could not refuse. He was soon the boy wonder of the computing world, adored by many and respected by all.

He was replaced at his little company by a unknown woman, previously a simple programmer at an even smaller company. Immediately there were struggles. Other business leaders did not respect her. Reviews of new products were unmerciful and scathing. After only one month on the job it seemed that both she and the company might not last. Four months later they were on the verge of going under.

At that point she received a very strange phone call. It seemed that the CEO of Apple, the biggest of big shots in their business, wanted to come by and address the employees and shareholders of the little company he had founded. She was stunned, and even thought it might be a prank. But it wasn't. The young man came to the meeting and shared with the crowd that the woman was indeed the right person for the job and that they should have faith in her. He reminded them that he had come from nothing as well. He stood up for her and gave her the boost she needed to carry on. And from that day forward attitudes changed, perceptions changed and the little company once again began to flourish. She had never asked for the kindness she received, but it changed her life and the lives of those who worked for her- forever. Encouragement can do that. It can change the world.

That story is a parable, made up by this writer to make a point. But it has a mirror image that is not fictional, but is in fact very real. The young man in the real story is David Letterman, and the company was Late Night- his show at NBC. After Dave left for CBS he was replaced by another young man named Conan O'Brien, an unknown writer who was in way over his head as a performer. And just like in the parable, under the new leadership the show floundered and nearly failed. But for reasons that Conan still doesn't understand, Letterman (who by then was the hottest name in television) asked to come back on his old show as a guest. And he brought his A game. He told Conan that he was doing great and that he was right where needed to be. When Dave left, his words of encouragement lifted the entire cast and crew to a new level- and gave Conan another 16 years as the host of Late Night. On his current show on the night of May 20th Conan told this story as a tribute to Letterman, and added this: "If you have ever liked any silly or stupid thing I've done on television over the past 22 years, you must know that it probably never would have happened if it weren't for Dave. At one of the lowest points in my life, when I was a national punchline, Dave, for reasons I still don't really understand, rescued me. I still believe that that simple act of kindness turned everything around and made all the difference."

Whether in business, athletics, personal relationships or faith, there is incredible, awesome and amazing power in encouragement. A few kind and supportive words and deeds can change someone's day- or their life. Today I challenge you to seek out someone you know who needs a lift, a boost or a rescue. Reach out to them and give them encouragement and hope. You cannot imagine the impact. And you will be a better person for it. Have a great weekend!

Because of Jesus,

A Modern Parable

Ever wish God would send you a sign or rescue you from a situation. only to feel disappointed because there was no burning bush or chariot of fire to be found? The following is a modern day parable of unknown origin. As Jesus often said, let those who have ears, hear!

A terrible flood had come to the city. Water was rising to record levels and the streets had become impassable. A very faithful and pious man was forced to the second floor of his house for safety, and he began to pray that God would deliver him from the flood. He truly believed that God would answer his prayer. As he looked out his window a police speedboat came by the front of his house, calling for evacuations and offering rescue. The man thanked them for their efforts, but refused a ride. "God will save me," he announced with more than a little bit of pride. The water continued to rise, and moments later a neighbor came floating by in a canoe, and the neighbor called to the man. "We have room for one more. Come with us and we'll find shelter from the storm." The man thanked his neighbor, but told him not to worry about it. "My God will save me." Soon the flood waters had risen to the point that the man had to climb on his roof. A Navy rescue helicopter arrived on the scene and began to lower a ladder to the man. He waved them away, saying "You should help someone else. God is going to save me." Within the hour, the current swept the man off of his roof and he drown.

When the man reached heaven, he stood before God and expressed his frustration. "I was always faithful. I obeyed your laws, I tithed, I taught Sunday school. While others panicked and sought other help, I believed you would save me. You promised you would never leave or forsake me. Where were you in my hour of greatest need?" God looked at the man and let out a deep, passionate sigh. "My dear son...I sent you a speedboat, a canoe and a helicopter. What else did you want?"

God is always at work in our lives. Th question is are we too blind to see?

Because of Jesus,

The Story of Abe & Gabe

"I've been trying to get down to the heart of the matter...and I think it's about forgiveness..."  ~ Don Henley

Today I want to take a new look at a familiar story. If you have ever spent any time around a Christian church, you have almost certainly heard a pastor preach on the parable of The Prodigal Son as found in Luke 15:11-31. You know that Jesus told a story of a father with two sons (we'll call them Abe and Gabe to keep it straight). The younger son, Gabe, decided he wanted his share of his father's estate so he could see the world. The father gave him his share, and Gabe set off on his adventure. He quickly blew the money on wine, women and wild living. He found himself in need of food and shelter and hired himself out to feed pigs. He was so hungry he wanted to eat the pig's food, but no one offered him any. He came to his senses and decided to return home, for his father's employees were much better off than he was. He would admit his sins and his unworthiness to his Dad and ask to be hired on as a servant. His father saw him coming and ran to him and hugged him. Gabe confessed his sins, but his father was not interested in the past. He called for his best robe and a feast in honor of Gabe's return. A huge party was planned. Meanwhile, Abe was out working in the field, as he always was. When he found out that not only was his worthless brother back, but that his Dad was throwing Gabe a party, Abe was not happy. He protested to his father that he had always been there and had always served him well, but no one had ever killed a prize calf for him. His father responded, "Abe, you are always with me and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because Gabe was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!"

We understand that in this parable of Jesus the father represents our Heavenly Father. His love never fails us, no matter how we may fail Him. It is so clear in the story that God is not just waiting for us to come back to Him when sin separates us; He is out looking for us. Jesus said that the father "ran to meet to him" when Gabe returned home. Our "Abba Father" offers a forgiveness and grace that we cannot fully understand. This parable, along with the Lost Coin and the Lost Sheep parables also found in Luke 15, make it quite clear that God rejoices every time the lost are found and every time we return to Him. There are no limits on God's love.

We all understand what it is like to be Gabe. We all sin. We all fall away from God. I hope you understand (as I certainly do) what it feels like to have God welcome you home. But for those of us in the church, it is the attitude of Abe that offers a cautionary tale. To me, Abe too often represents the church, the body of believers. We are a people who think that our piety, faithfulness or even mere involvement entitle us to greater blessings from God. How can God forgive the thief, the murderer or the abuser- even if they repent? Haven't they thrown salvation away? Aren't those stains permanent? It seems so unfair to those who feel like they have been with God the whole time. We miss the party. While Gabe is inside at a festive family reunion, Abe is outside throwing stones, bitter and unwilling to forgive. Which brother is truly lost?

We believe that because of Jesus our sins are forgiven. Sometimes we don't believe that God would ever forgive THEM -those "real" sinners. For many years I taught this parable, and for many years I thought I understood grace. It has only been in the past few years that I have truly grasped what it means to have the Father waiting on my return to the family, even though I could not imagine I deserved such love. I came to realize that grace could not be fully comprehensible until I realized how lost I was- until the pig food starting looking good! I experienced what it means to fall into the loving arms of God (and my family & friends) at the time that I least deserved it. It is that kind of love that the church universal often fails to offer to those who are lost. Share the love. Don't be an Abe. It has been said for the church to really be the church, we need to have our hearts broken by the things that break the heart of God. And according to Jesus, nothing breaks God's heart like people who are lost and hurting. My prayer today is that the church would open it's arms and show the world what our Heavenly Father's love is like when we come running home to Him- from wherever we may have been...

Because of Jesus,

The Parable of Abe & Gabe

"I've been trying to get down to the heart of the matter...and I think it's about forgiveness..."  ~ Don Henley

Today I want to take a new look at a familiar story.  If you have ever spent any time around a Christian church, you have almost certainly heard a pastor preach on the parable of The Prodigal Son as found in Luke 15:11-31.  You know that Jesus told a story of a father with two sons (we'll call them Abe and Gabe to keep it straight).  The younger son, Gabe, decided he wanted his share of his father's estate so he could see the world.  The father gave him his share, and Gabe set off on his adventure.  He quickly blew the money on wine, women and wild living.  He found himself in need of food and shelter and hired himself out to feed pigs.  He was so hungry he wanted to eat the pig's food, but no one offered him any.  He came to his senses and decided to return home, for his father's employees were much better off than he was.  He would admit his sins and his unworthiness to his Dad and asked to be hired on as a servant.  His father saw him coming and ran to him and hugged him.  Gabe confessed his sins, but his father was not interested in the past.  He called for his best robe and a feast in honor of Gabe's return.  A huge party was planned.  Meanwhile, Abe was out working in the field, as he always was.  When he found out that not only was his worthless brother back, but that his Dad was throwing Gabe a party, Abe was not happy.  He protested to his father that he had always been there and had always served him well, but that he had never been thrown such a party.  His father responded, "Abe, you are always with me and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because Gabe was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!"

We understand that in this parable of Jesus the father represents our Heavenly Father.  His love never fails us, no matter how we may fail Him.  It is so clear in the story that God is not just waiting for us to come back to Him when sin separates us; He is out looking for us.  Jesus said that the father "ran to meet to him" when Gabe returned home.  Our "Abba Father" offers a forgiveness and grace that we cannot fully understand.  This parable, along with the Lost Coin and the Lost Sheep parables also found in Luke 15, make it quite clear that God rejoices every time the lost are found and every time we return to Him.

We all understand what it is like to be Gabe.  We all sin.  We all fall away from God.  I hope you understand, at least to some extent, what it feels like to have God welcome you home.  But for those of us in the church, it is the attitude of Abe that offers a cautionary tale.  To me, Abe too often represents the church, the body of believers.  We are a people who think that our piety and faithfulness entitle us to greater blessings from God.  How can God forgive the thief, the murderer or the abuser who repents?  Haven't they thrown salvation away?  It seems so unfair to those who feel like they have been with God the whole time.  We miss the party.  While Gabe is inside at a festive family reunion, Abe is outside throwing stones, bitter and unwilling to forgive.  Which brother is truly lost?

We believe that because of Jesus our sins are forgiven.  Sometimes we don't believe that God would ever forgive THEM -those "real" sinners.  For many years I taught this parable, and for many years I thought I understood grace.  It has only been in the past few years that I have truly grasped what it means to have the Father waiting on my return to the family, even though I could not imagine I deserved such love.  I came to realize that grace could not be fully comprehensible until I realized how lost I was- until the pig food starting looking good!  I experienced what it means to fall into the loving arms of God (and my family) at the time that I least deserved it.  It is that kind of love that the church universal often fails to offer to those who are lost.  Share the love.  Don't be an Abe.  It has been said for the church to really be the church, we need to have our hearts broken by the things that break the heart of God.  And according to Jesus, nothing breaks God's heart like people who are lost.  My prayer today is that the church would open it's arms and show the world what our Heavenly Father's love is like when we come running home to Him- from wherever we may have been...

Because of Jesus,