Let's party!

 Let me first say, I enjoy being a Lutheran. I believe that Martin Luther focused on pulling out the truths of Scripture that the Catholic church was missing at the time. Being focused on faith alone, Scripture alone and grace alone, we are saved. But one thing that I've always struggled with in being a Lutheran is that one thing is very much missing in our gatherings at times, and our worship. Emotion.

 Today, Jon Acuff, a writer who I admire and respect, wrote this blog on cnn.com. http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/08/24/should-christianity-be-so-boring/ In summary, he's talking about the story of the Prodigal Son and how God throws a party for a son who wishes him dead. This parable always gets me. The father is God, and the son is me. Through my sins, I pretty much say to God, "I don't want you around". Yet, He's always there, quick to love, quick to forgive, quick to rejoice when I return home.

 But yet, I can also be that older son that says, "Hey dad, I did all that you wanted me to. Where's my party?" He didn't get it. And many times, I don't either. I'd rather see us in the church be like the father, quick to throw a party when someone repents, as opposed to questioning their motivations, whether they're truly repentant of THAT sin, or being judgmental overall. God accepts us for who we are when we repent. He doesn't put conditions on it. We as His visible body here on earth need to be showing that more often.

 Wouldn't it be cool, as Jon said in his blog, to hear an Atheist say, "I don't believe in God, but His people really know how to party, as well as love and care for others"? I think that would be amazing. I hope and pray we have this mindset.