God as Abba - Papa God

God as Abba – Papa God

Of all the titles I’ve worn in my years of living, I love most what my grandchildren call me … Papa Michael.

Papa!  And it is used with love, affection and respect. 

We in America don’t use the term Abba in normal conversations.  You’ll find it in Israel, Palestine and those regions of the world however.  It is a term of endearment, as is Papa. 

And that is the God I present to you today.  Abba God.  Papa God. 

My mentor, though now dead – Brennan Manning, says that ‘Abba means in literal English: daddy, my own dear father.’

Child psychologists in America tell us that the average American baby begins to speak between the ages of 14-18 months, and the first word normally spoken is da – da, da, daddy.  A small Jewish child speaking Aramaic in first-century Palestine, at that same age, would begin to say ab – ab, ab, Abba. 

(Taken from The Furious Longing of God-Brennan Manning)

They are terms of endearment, terms of intimacy.

When Christ was teaching his disciples to pray, the first thing He taught them was to call God ‘our Father, who art in heaven.’

Christ knew intimacy with God and He knew the significance of that intimacy and how much God himself wanted that kind of intimacy with His children. 

He wanted to be known as Papa. Abba.

As our children and grandchildren will crawl upon our laps, we could care less if they stay still or if they play with a toy, look around the room, or reach for the computer, as Adia (granddaughter) used to do when I held her on my lap.  What mattered most is that this was a sacred moment.  Father and child, Papa and grandchild. 

God so wants closeness, communion, a relationship with us, and His lap is big enough for us, our toys, our interests, and our fidgeting ways. 

I’ve fallen asleep more times in prayer than I’ve stayed awake and prayed.  God hasn’t cut me off.  He still invites me back to that intimate moment.

My mind wanders often when I’m supposed to be praying.  And God’s love keeps on reaching out to me. 

I’ll never get it right, this intimacy thing, with God.  And I keep coming back to this … God knows me as I am and not as I should be.  And He loves me anyway.

I’m learning to struggle less with getting it ‘right’ and settling more into a comfortable relationship with the God who loves me with a furious love, a raging love that is constant, and never lets up.

You know that wind storm we had recently?  It finally let up, blew itself out and sunny days returned.

Had that been God’s love, it would still be blowing, raging, because He loves us that much.  He never gives up.

What a metaphor. 

Ah …

What a love!

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God Leads - We Trust

God Leads – We Trust

At the end of 2008 my job as a real estate agent was playing out. I was out of funds and I needed income.  Along came an opportunity.  It appeared to be not much of one, but an opportunity nevertheless.  It was in commission sales, and it was feast or famine at times. 

And I trusted.

In 2014 another opportunity came along.  I took that road.  The pay was better, the health benefits were about the same, I got to dress in a suit, and I learned a ton of new skills. 

And I trusted and took this new opportunity.

In 2016, the first company sold.  It was an ESOP company and those of us employed during those years reaped a bonus from the sale of that company. 

All those long hours, low pay, low commissions somehow got redeemed in that payout. 

God was leading … I kept trusting.

In 2017, we made grand plans to take a Mediterranean cruise.  We planned, we dreamed, we saved, we bought tickets and got ready for our adventure which was to happen in November.

In October, I was hospitalized for heart failure and forced into medical leave to strengthen my heart in preparation for surgery in December.

Had we gone on that Mediterranean cruise, I honestly don’t think I would be sitting here writing this post now.  Oh, I had symptoms, and if you’ve ever been thankful for symptoms you can relate.  They saved my life.

Though at the time I didn’t realize that God was leading, even in the symptoms. 

And so, I keep trusting.

I’ve wanted other jobs that have come across my pathway, but somehow, God stopped me from taking them.  God was leading.

Down through the years I’ve wanted relationships, before Carolyn, that never panned out.  God was leading.

I dislike when my plans and dreams are thwarted.  I have an agenda, a direction, and a course I want to pursue.

And I trust God anyway.

For I am resting in knowing that He ultimately knows what is best for my life, and if I allow His direction, His promptings and His timing, ‘all things do work together for the best.’

Trust is so hard at times.  We’re smart people.  We’re educated and experienced.  We know a thing or two about life.

And God still leads … and we trust.

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What Does Randall Know That I Don't?

What Does Randall Know That I Don’t?

I wrote this piece on April 26, 2017. 

My brother, Randall, just found out that he has cancer of the liver and according to his Doctor, it is the worst kind to have.  He has six to eight months to live. 

I just called him.  When I asked how he was doing, he paused and said, “I’m okay”, and then he said those words that encouraged my heart. 

“I’m ready to go.”

In the middle of my tears of sadness there are tears of joy at that comment.  I’m ready to go!

What a commentary on a life.

His life, like mine and yours, has not been a perfect life.  Oh no.  He’s been places and done things.  He has owned a business, had relationships, had a military career, and is one of the best pianist I’ve heard play (in his own unique style). 

To hear him say “I’m ready to go” was the most encouraging thing I could have heard today.  I was calling to encourage him.  He encouraged me. 

And now, for the next six to eight months, he is putting together his bucket list of places to visit and sights to see. 

When Randall says, “I’m ready to go” he means volumes.  He is at peace in his relationship with God.  He has made whatever confessions he needs to make, he is experiencing a peace from God that will continue to carry him through these last months on earth and when the time comes, he has the confidence that he will be swept into the healing embrace of his Heavenly Father.

What a grand confidence my brother has in his future. 

Soon his fingers will no longer strike piano chords.  His lovely baritone voice will no longer sing our family favorites.  His sweet spirit will be missed in our family circle.  And he will be home where he belongs … forever.  He will reunite with our Mom and Dad.  He will reunite with our brother – Tom.

And he will see the Redeemer of our souls – Jesus Christ.

He is going to go places and do things during his last months on earth.  And he is going to go places and do things and see sights in his new land called heaven.

What an adventure!

An epilogue:  Randall completed his earthly life on June 19, 2017.  Although he did not get to finish his bucket list, he now knows something we don’t.   What is it really like to be a resident of heaven?

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Hope Encouragement Inspiration