Post 214

I've been looking at a story Jesus told. He was such an amazing story teller. He always wove in such powerful truths. This one has come to be known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

The Prodigal Son

After he had wasted his substance on riotous living he came to himself and admitted he had sinned. He went and confessed to his father "Father I have sinned..." But before he had the chance to finish his father received him with open arms and lavishly celebrated his return saying his son was dead but now he's alive, he was lost but now he's found.

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

-Jesus (Luke 15:11-32)

Are you dead and lost in sin? This younger son wasted his substance on riotous living. Are you wasting what God has given you? Have you wasted your mind on dirty thoughts? Have you wasted your time on selfishness? Have you wasted your speech on dirty or cutting words? Only you and God know what you have done, so seriously think about it. Sure it's much easier to say like his elder brother "Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment:" But oh how we need to honestly come to ourselves and view our own "wasted substance". We must confess those deep inner sins we have been hiding from and admit "Father, I have sinned!" You know what He will do? He'll receive you, and with great joy and He will rejoice over you saying "This my son was dead and is alive again! He was lost and now is found!"

Thank you Lord!

Well, I guess it's all about the baby now...

We've been to the Dessert Oasis (were I sing sometimes) and Amity just loves it there. She loves the ceiling, there is lots to look at up there.

Here we are doing woodwork.

The Balas

Bethany Niezgoda and the boys.

We went on a little ski trip and spent the night at the Canfields. It was such a joy to see them because the last time I stayed there we were all single and wondering how we would ever get married. Now the good Lord has blessed us all with a wife and kids. See then here.

Their boys

Skiing...

Jeriah and his girl Aurora.

Out walking on a beautiful winter day.

Matthew Whitney has been here for a while. I took him on this rooftop furnace repair.

Laura McKinley

Levi taking good care.

Hiking with the church kids.

Bath time

Our orchestra had a concert. Trillium Chamber Orchestra

A simple thing, but it's such a joy to have a little baby girl to push around the store.

Aurora and Jeriah with the Johnson girls.

Love is in the air...

This is Aurora Gifford with my brother Jeriah Bendixen. This is after their engagement. They are getting married! Praise the Lord!

Also the the next day Amanda's brother Donnie got engaged...

See his proposal here, it was pretty neat.

Then the next weekend Ryan Wegner and Rachel Heyworth announce that they are courting.

So yes, love is in the air. It's amazing. The blessings have been rolling in!