Clay

Clay

by Elysia Larson

A poem for Ethan Larson on the occasion of his 49th birthday

Big Springs, Island Park, Idaho

Loving God, You formed this man,
     Chosen, steadfast heart;
Created through You, for You,
     A life set apart.

We don't go looking for God
     You came down to us;
Complete in Him, Head of all,
     Making Christ our trust.

Gripped on the mountain alone,
     Lewis book in hand,
Your glory, truth, purpose first,
     Creator 'fore land.

"Two things, my son, last in life:
     Word of God and man,"
His mother spoke.  O what joy!
     A clear purpose, plan.

Steadfast heart, redeemed, chosen,
     Appointed to bear,
Holy fruit that will remain.
     Help him persevere.

O Lord, You are our Father;
     You made him Your clay.
You are the Potter, forming
     This man till that Day.

Glory, Savior comes again
     Speaking to His clay,
"Well done, my good, steadfast heart.
     Enter into joy."

-Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Love to Ethan,

Elysia

I Bow My Knees to the Father

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…" 

Elysia's dad and sister. He took her to her senior prom.

Ethan at the Civil War Memorial of his great-great grandfather. With our three youngest children.

Ethan's dad a few years ago with our two youngest children.

"...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19

True Forgiveness

After hearing this sermon today based on Luke 15:11-24, I realized how very weak we as humans are in forgiveness, and how gracious God truly is. In comparing God's relationship with us to one of a father, Jesus told a story about a foolish son who brought shame to his family through wasteful and sinful living. What amazes me is how the father's forgiving heart sought out a restored relationship by a gracious welcoming act even before the son repented. The father ran to him and kissed him. How often we withhold affection and lovingkindness to people because we have been hurt by them or we want to teach them a lesson through our disdain. May we become more like the Father and reach out to loved ones who have hurt us with a willingness to forgive and be gracious to them.

Note: These sermons are free to listen to from Dr. Timothy Keller and they are available on Redeemer's free sermon resources website: http://sermons2.redeemer.com/redeemer-free-sermon-resource. I found these under the heading "What Is The Gospel?" with the subheading "The Prodigal God." There are several sermons in a series on The Prodigal Son story Jesus told. I highly recommend listening to this series.