It has all the pieces of a perfectly crafted drama: A loving, aged father, a rebellious son desirous to receive his portion of the inheritance and a brazened older brother stoically filling his post as the dependable drone. I’m speaking, of course, of our lesson text this morning found in Luke 15; the story of the Prodigal son. But, where’s the romance? Why is there not a woman mentioned in this story? Truth be told there’s plenty of heart-felt emotion in this drama; it’s just that Jesus chose to use characters that would best describe the self-righteous Pharisees he was addressing. Contextually, this story would have caused these pious perfectos’ a great amount of heartburn! You see, Jesus was referencing them when speaking of the older brother. The older brother demanded salvation. The older brother expected reward. After all, didn’t little brother go out and squander part of the inheritance HE was supposed to receive? That’s really the jest of his animosity, isn’t it? That someone else could receive what he deserved when they’re really not (at least in his eyes) worthy of it? And what about the younger? True, he was repentant, but good grief, lad. What were you thinking? How could you have allowed your base desires to have such a negative impact on the family’s fortune? Have you no couth? And to think you could come back and earn your way back in to the father’s graces? But, then…this story never really was about the older brother. Nor was it really about the younger rebellious son. No, this story is more about the loving Father than it is anyone else. Our attention has been directed to the brothers because of the chapter headings in our bibles, but Luke 15 is really a story about how gracious our Heavenly Father truly is. Take your attention off the boys and behold the generosity of a father whose love for his sons touches both in loving-linear fashion. Incredible. Our heavenly Father has enough love to share with each of his sons/daughters. We don’t have to argue for it, jockey for it or fight for it. There’s plenty to go around. Simply open your arms and receive it…graciously.




Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin

Today marks the very first, first day of the week in the year of our Lord, 2015. I’m excited about what this year holds for us here at Whitehall! We have so many things to give thanks for! First and foremost, we have the gift of God’s Son interceding for us at the Father’s right hand. We have His Spirit living inside of us leading us closer and closer to Him. We’ve spent quite a bit of time pouring over scriptures concerning Christ Jesus lately. The more I talk about the Christ the greater appreciation I have for what He did for me at the cross. If I have Christ with me and Christ in me, I have COMPLETE salvation! In the flesh we will fail, make mistakes and flounder. In the spirit we are made alive. We need to praise our God for bringing us out of our Egypt, so that he can bring us to our Promise Land. God is our peace, our rest and our victory over the world. How much do you long for the presence of Jesus in your life? On the flip side, what would it be like if the presence of Christ was no longer felt in your life? Jesus’ disciples loved Jesus. They clung to him and with all their failings, they delighted in Him. Remember the time Jesus went up to the mountain to pray as his disciples were sent to cross the sea alone? As a storm arose they toiled, rowed and labored but the wind was against them, they made no progress and were in danger of perishing. I can imagine them thinking, “If only Jesus were here!” They missed Him! At one other time they had been in a storm and Jesus had said, ‘Peace, be still’ and all was well. But, here they are in darkness, danger and peril and Jesus is nowhere in sight. What’s intriguing about this particular time is that when Jesus DOES enter their presence, they’re afraid not only of the sea’s condition, they’re also afraid of Jesus’ presence. Is this not typical of us as well? Do we not seek solace from God only to have him answer as we cower in fear of his deliverance? Pray for God’s abiding Spirit and don’t be afraid of all that entails as we begin this New Year.




Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you! Kevin