Henri Nouwen – Plattsville Church

Who are those who matter most to us?

I know I’ve often quoted Henri Nouwen in the past few months here on the blog, but the truth is he is worth quoting. So I’d like to do that again with a few questions at the end. He wrote this:

“When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”

I think this is so true. So here are a few questions that for me flow out of that quote:

Who means the most to you? Have you told them that lately? Have you shared with them why they matter to you so deeply?
When you encounter someone who is hurting, is your first reaction to share words of advice, or share a touch of comfort?
Who around you needs help today? How can you share in their pain and give them hope?

Worth reflecting on. Worth acting on.

Personal Musings

We Keep Forgetting Who We Are…

Henri Nouwen, who is generally brilliant in all he writes, once wrote this:

One of the tragedies of our life is that we keep forgetting who we are.

And this true.

One of the great tragedies of our lives is that we forget who we are. We forget that we are loved. Because who we all are, according to the Bible, are people who are deeply loved, cherished, and valued by God. We have value, worth and intrinsic significance, not just because of what we do or believe, but because the Creator loves his creation; because the Father loves his children; because the King loves his people; because the Spirit loves his family.

The point is that it is a tragedy whenever we forget who we are, when we forget we are loved. Because when we forget this central truth, our lives can spiral and spin through difficulty, and insecurity. But when we are centred on this truth, that we are loved, our lives can burst forth meaning, courage, and significance.

So I just think that’s something worth reflecting on today. That you are loved. Don’t forget it.

Sermon Reflections

Following in the Footsteps of Jesus to Become Like the Father

On Sunday we wrapped up our series on the Prodigal Son, taking a look at the Father. We talked about how we are called to become like the Father. Henri Nouwen puts it this way: “As a beloved son, I have to claim my full dignity and begin preparing myself to become the father…Though I am both the younger son and the elder son, I am not to remain them, but to become the Father” His point is simple. We are not accepted into God’s family to remain as we are, but to act and live like a true family member. Athanasius, an early church father, put it this way: Jesus became human so that we might become like him. And through following Jesus we follow in his footsteps, becoming like the Father.

So on Sunday we pulled out three amazing characteristics of the Father in this parable. First, that his love is reckless. He gives his youngest son all that he asks for even though it hurts him. He gives generously even though his generosity will be abused.

The second thing the father does is to practice active love. The Father is on the lookout the entire time the son is wandering around lost. The text says the Father was watching for him. That he was actively searching for him. This is an example of not just loving feelings, but love put into action. We are called to do the same.

The last thing we pulled out was that the Father’s love is marked by abundance not scarcity. So often we worry that there isn’t enough money, time, resources, or love to go around. The older son in this story shows that disposition. He worries that the Father’s display of love lessens the love, and resources available to him. But the Father says, “All I have is yours”. In the Kingdom of the Father there is excess, abundance, and overflowing love not a scarcity or limited supply. This is how love functions in the Kingdom.

So to close we gave three simple steps, with cues taken from Henri Nouwen, on how to become like the Father. The first was to shed tears, the second was to forgive, and the third was to be generous. Nouwen writes this: “To become like the Father…I have to shed countless tears and so prepare my heart to receive anyone, whatever their journey has been, and forgive them from that heart.” This is true, unless we shed tears our hearts can remained hard, unmoved, and unlike the father. We are also called to forgive, before people ask. This is the example of the Father. Again Nouwen writes with startling simplicity and beauty, “It is through constant forgiveness that we become like the Father”. And lastly, we shared that we must begin to believe in the abundance of the Kingdom and live lives of generosity. Again Nouwen was our guide writing, “Every time I take a step in the direction of generosity, I know that I am moving from fear to love”. This is the process to become like the Father to move away from fear to love.

So we closed with a few simple questions for reflection and action.

Who are you angry at rather than broken over? Can you shed some tears this week to soften your heart?
Who are you holding a grudge with? Can you let go? If not, read this parable again and again until the picture of God painted in this so grabs your heart, that unforgiveness lets go.
And lastly, where are you not being generous out of fear? Then this week find a way to be generous.

I think these questions, and this quest to follow Jesus matters tremendously. Because the only thing that will change this world is when we start to live, love, and look like Jesus. And that only happens as we follow in his Jesus’ footsteps, in the power of the Spirit, and the direction of the Father. So may we all take some steps forward this week in following Jesus.

Sermon Notes:

Big Idea: We are to following the Father’s Footsteps

Take Aways…

The sons are to become like the Father
If our picture of God is off, our lives will be off
The Father is one who loves recklessly
Respect that is demanded never leads to a relationship
The Father’s love is active, and proactive
The Father’s love is marked by abundance not scarcity
The parable is an invitation to follow Jesus, in our becoming like the Father
Jesus became human so that we might become like him. Athanasius
“Here is the God I want to believe in: a Father who, from the beginning of creation, has stretched out his arms in merciful blessing, never forcing himself on anyone, but always waiting; never letting his arms drop in despair, but always hoping that this children will return so that he can speak word of love to them and let his tired arms rest on their shoulders. His only desire is to bless.” Henri Nouwen
“Jesus is the true Son of the Father. He is the model for our becoming the father”. Henri Nouwen
To become like the Father we have to learn to shed tears.
“To become like the Father…I have to shed countless tears and so prepare my heart to receive anyone, whatever their journey has been, and forgive them from that heart.” Henri Nouwen
To become like the Father we have to learn to forgive first.
“It is through constant forgiveness that we become like the Father” Henri Nouwen
To become like the Father we have to be learn to be generous.
“Every time I take a step in the direction of generosity, I know that I am moving from fear to love” Henri Nouwen

Adult / Group Discussion Questions: What surprised you? What made you think? What did you take away? What was new? Why would you say it is important to get our picture of God straight? How does this parable help to focus our picture of God? What part of the Father’s actions most spoke to you and for what reasons? How can you start to follow, to become like the Father? Is there someone you need to shed a tear over? Is there someone you need to forgive, or give to? How might you do that this week?

Discussion Questions for Young Families: Take a moment and talk with you kids about the picture of God painted in this parable. Talk about how God is actively loving, how his love never runs dry, how he gives such grace to us. Talk to them about why you follow this God, and how you might try to this week follow him deeper. What might you do with your kids? Listen more, spend more time with them, forgive some of their annoying habits? What can you do to show them love like the Father?

Challenge for this Week: Shed a tear over brokenness, forgive someone before they ask, and give to someone generously

Sermon Reflections

Wandering Lost and Finally Finding Home

On Sunday we explored the first of three sermons on the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). In this sermon we looked at the prodigal son and how we are often so much like him. How we too have left home, and left God in so many countless ways. What is remarkable is that it is God’s love that allows us to leave.

Henri Nouwen puts it this way: “The Father couldn’t’ compel his son to stay home. He couldn’t force his love on the Beloved. He had to let him go in freedom, even though he knew the pain it would cause both his son and himself. It was love itself that prevented him from keeping his son home at all cost. It was love itself that allowed him to let his son find his own life, even with the risk of losing it….Here the mystery of my life is unveiled. I am loved so much that I am left free to leave home.”

We are loved so much that we are free to leave. Sometimes the leaving is harsh and sudden, like in the story. Sometimes it’s slow and subtle. But it happens nonetheless.

Again Nouwen writes: “Anger, resentment, jealousy, desire for revenge, lust, greed, antagonisms, and rivalries are the obvious signs that I have left home”. This is true. These are all signs that we’ve left the home of the Father full of grace, acceptance, and love. We’ve left home for a distant land where we become used, abused, and neglected. This is what the prodigal son experiences and he comes to his senses. And decides to return home. This decision though is often so difficult because when we leave the Father’s side we walk into darkness and confusion. Nouwen again wisely writes: “The farther I run away from the place where God dwells the less I am able to hear the voice that calls me the Beloved, and the less I hear that voice, the more entangled I become in manipulative power games of the world.” This is true, the further we run from God the more difficult it is to hear his voice in a world of competing voices.

Yet the son does hear the Father’s voice. He remembers what it was like at home, whereas now he is left alone, struggling, and abused. He decides to walk home and seek to earn back his position not as a son but as a slave. A hired hand. Yet the Father sees the son while he was a long way off…because he was looking. The Father didn’t move on because he didn’t want to move on. He isn’t content till all those who have wandered find their way back home. So he runs to his son not caring that it isn’t dignified. He doesn’t care what other people think, he cares about his lost son. The son shares a speech but the father doesn’t care. Because the father isn’t about what can be earned, but what he can give, which is acceptance, hope, love, and assurance.

So on Sunday we ended by reflecting on how at so many times and places we have been like the prodigal son. That we drift, slide, and move away. On Sunday we ended asking a simple but profound question: will you let the Father accept you? We often say yes quickly but it’s not that easy. Because we need to give up all our speeches, our ways of fixing things (i.e. being a hired hand), our ways of earning love and instead to simply accept the gift before us.

So today I want to ask you the same thing. Will you accept the gift of God’s grace before you? Remember the Father’s focus isn’t on your past or what you’ve done, the Father’s focus is on you.

Sermon Notes:

Big Idea: Love and acceptance are found at “home”

Take Aways…

The son leaving is a sign of dying
You are loved so much you are free to leave home
The Father divides up his life for his sons
Away from home people use, abuse, and neglect you
“Anger, resentment, jealousy, desire for revenge, lust, greed, antagonisms, and rivalries are the obvious signs that I have left home”. Henri Nouwen
“The farther I run away from the place where God dwells the less I am able to heave the voice that calls me the Beloved, and the less I hear that voice, the more entangled I become in manipulative power games of the world” Henri Nouwen
The Father saw the son because he was looking
The Father hasn’t moved on, because he doesn’t want to move on.
The Father doesn’t care what other people think, he cares about his son
God isn’t about earning, gaining, or achieving. God is about giving.

Adult / Group Discussion Questions: What surprised you? What made you think? What did you take away? When have you “left home”? Is there any places where you have bee leaving home, slowly and subtly? How can having God’s assurance of love change who you are? How does it feel to be accepted by God? How might you share your thanks with him today?

Discussion Questions for Young Families: Take a moment and sit down with your kids and talk to them about today’s message. Share with them the story of the Father and the Son. If you can promise them the same type of love, that is modeled in this passage. Talk with them about how you love your kids in the same way with acceptance, forgiveness, and a willingness to reach out.

Challenge for this Week:

Receive the Father’s acceptance