The Problem with Pleasure

Leave a comment

This week we begin looking together at some of the places in which we seek meaning for our lives. One of the biggest areas is in pleasure of one kind or another. The allure of pleasure–you pick your pleasure–is obvious. It feels good. Who wouldn’t want that? But, the question we have to face down is this: Does it deliver on its promise? Keep reading as our series, Finding Meaning, continues.

The Problem with Pleasure

There are some things people enjoy that require…training to be able to actually enjoy.  Fine art is one of those.  I haven’t quite developed enough of a taste for it to be able to enjoy it as thoroughly as others do who have.  There are folks who can go to an art museum and have their spirits fed simply by what they see there.  I can’t do that.  I have, however, had the opportunity to develop a taste for classical music.  While I don’t do it all that often—I mostly listen to news, commentary, and preaching—I genuinely enjoy listening to classical music and from multiple different genres (did you know there were multiple genres of classical music?).  There are some pieces that feed my spirit in a way few other things in this world do. 

Read the rest…

Morning Musing: Luke 15:28a

Leave a comment

“But he was angry and refused to go in.”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter) 

For every person who leaves, there is another who remains. For every wanderer, there is someone who holds down the fort. As we’ve seen over the past few days, the life of the leaver doesn’t turn out smooth or easy as planned. Leaving doesn’t solve any problems, it creates a whole host of new ones. The same is true, though, for the one that remains. The stayer faces all kinds of challenges. Indeed, adjusting to holding down the fort with one less than usual isn’t easy. But the biggest problem is something we might not expect. 

Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Luke 15:20

Leave a comment

“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter) 

Once we’ve walked a path of evil-hearted foolishness, experienced the pain of God-delivered justice, come to a moment of humbly-righteous repentance, what comes next? Well, that depends. On what, you ask? It depends on to whom it is we’ve repented. 

Read the rest…

Morning Musing: Luke 15:17-19

Leave a comment

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”‘”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter) 

When was the last time you had that moment when you suddenly came to your senses? You realized that what you were doing wasn’t working; that you didn’t like your outcomes, but unless you changed your inputs, your outcomes weren’t going to change? Have you had that moment before at all? If you have and you actually followed through on those thoughts, that was called repentance. And repentance is the only way out of a pit of justice and back to life. 

Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Luke 15:11

Leave a comment

“And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter) 

Every comedy featuring kids facing off against some adult villain has a moment when the adult gets it somehow. Perhaps the most famous is the original Home Alone. The Sticky Bandits, Harry and Marv, hilariously work through Kevin’s house of horrors getting hit in the head with irons, paint cans, stepping on upended nails, glass ornaments, getting glued and feathered, having their heads and hands burnt, and finally getting whacked with a snow shovel before they are finally arrested. That’s called justice, and if we pursue a path of evil-hearted foolishness like the younger son in the parable of the prodigal son, we will eventually experience that moment ourselves. 

Read the rest…