Dear Rose Park,
This is the second Lenten-letter that will focus around a central story and book. The story is the Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. The book is The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller. Ultimately, as we journey step-in-step with Jesus towards the cross of Calvary, it’s my hope for each and every one of us to recover the heart of our faith in the Risen King.
Dear Rose Park,
For the season of Lent, I’d like to focus these weekly letters around a central story and book. The story is the Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. The book is The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller. Ultimately, as we journey step-in-step with Jesus towards the cross of Calvary, it’s my hope for each and every one of us to recover the heart of our faith in the Risen King.
Dear Rose Park,
There’s a lot of symbolism in the bible. For example, any time scripture mentions water it’s a safe bet there’s a connection to baptism. Any time scripture mentions fire it’s a safe bet there’s a connection to the Holy Spirit. This symbolism isn’t limited to physical things, it also includes numbers. There are seven days of creation, seven churches listed in Revelation, and seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, and Jacob even had twelve sons. Needless to say, biblical numbers are important.
Dear Rose Park,
My older brother Kyle lives in Omaha, NE. My oldest brother Matt lives in Bronxville, NY. Matt and I would both tell you Kyle is the better athlete and student of the three boys. Kyle was also the most creative. Though he might tell you differently, Kyle is an artist. During seminary, he gave me a small piece of art as a gift. It’s a picture of a homeless man with the words, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat” printed in the corner. I still have this picture. It’s hanging in my workshop.
Dear Rose Park,
Comparison is the thief of joy. I’m not sure who said this, but I’m glad they did. This quote has been attributed to Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, and C.S Lewis. Regardless of the ownership, these words are absolutely true. We allow ourselves to be robbed of joy when we begin to compare ourselves to others.
Dear Rose Park,
You may have noticed that a new door has been purchased and installed on the north side of church. Once the glass is finished and installed, it will complete a more welcoming and hospitable main entrance. A few days ago, I was standing near the new door and talking with Ken Beltman when I was reminded of Psalm 100.
Dear Rose Park,
On Monday evening, I attended the visitation for our beloved neighbor, Del Dekker. Del passed away on Tuesday January 9. I saw some of you at the visitation. It was such a joy and blessing to see pictures of Del, speak with his family, and reminisce about a man who so deeply cared for his neighborhood.
Dear Rose Park,
As some of you know, next week I’ll gather for my last doctorate intensive at Western Theological Seminary before graduation in May. These past three years have flown by in some sense and dragged in another sense. Yet, it has been a fruitful experiencing diving into the writings of Eugene Peterson. Throughout these three years, I have been so encouraged to get text messages, emails, and voicemails from you all wishing me luck and letting me know I was in your prayers. As I have gratefully received your well-wishes, I am reminded of a picture frame that sits on my desk.
Dear Rose Park,
There’s something satisfying about an orderly work place or a neatly organized drawer. There’s some satisfying about perfectly straight lines in a freshly mown lawn. I’m not sure how to put it into words but there’s something simply satisfying when everything is in its’ place, when it’s perfectly symmetrical, or when a set is complete. Maybe this is just me, but I doubt it.
