Eternity is a Long Time

  One of the guys I mentor who is in prison is trying to reconcile to the memory of his Dad who did not treat him well. When I responded to him, I felt some others needed to read what I wrote so I am sharing the basic parts of my note with you. ----------------------------------------------------- I wanted to respond to your last note where you talked about reconciliation so eloquently. I'm sure you can appreciate why God takes on the persona of a father throughout the Bible as a way to relate to us. Just look at what you said the similarities are between you and God and you and your earthly Dad. Reconciliation is the key. God reconciled to us by Jesus's death on the cross. We reconcile to Him by dying to ourselves and receiving the free gift of salvation by faith. That's not as easy as it sounds, of course, but it's the essential truth. But what about your earthly Dad? Of course, God is perfect and your earthly Dad, like every earthly Dad, is far from perfect. Often, e...

  "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) I have always loved the picture of Jesus casting out a demon from a repentant punk-rocker. However, it's too easy for us to think "Of course the punk-rocker had issues - but I don't need that. I'm doing OK." That's why I added the picture of a line of people. We all need Him. Without Jesus you don't know what true rest and contentment are. Without Jesus you are trying to do it on your own and you will always fail - eventually. I'm not talking about failing in the eyes of the world. You may be extremely successful as far as how others may judge you. I'm talking about peace of mind and a soft heart regardless of your situation. That is the weariness and the burdens Jesus is talking about. Only with Jesus will you find rest for your soul.