Christmas Gifts

[notofworks]

At Christmas time, I loaded the bottom of the tree with many amazing gifts. When the evening of the 24th came, I continued our family tradition of sitting the kids down and having them perform several things first before I gave them their gifts. Just recently on Christmas Eve, I made my older son throw a baseball 90mph. He kept saying, "Dad, I can't do that. You know I'm not good at baseball, my sport is basketball", but heck, I had my demands and I wasn't about to give him his stuff before he did what I said.

So I stood there with the radar gun and had the kid throw. I felt bad for him at one point because he was topping out at 77mph, which is decent but WAY short of where he needed to be.

Eventually, his shoulder started hurting. "Too bad", I said. "Tell you what, we'll try again tomorrow and I'll have someone come over and teach you how to throw harder."

But that didn't work. These kids, I'll tell ya.

So I bought him a book about baseball and that didn't help either.

I had him prayed for.

I got the church to do a 24-hour prayer chain.

He managed to get the velocity up to 81, but WAY short of my requirements, but too bad, you know, I have my rules and I have the way I do things.

I thought enticement would help so I told him how AMAZING his gifts were and I'll tell ya, he BEGGED me for them. But rules are rules and I will NOT give that kid his Christmas gifts until he does what I say he has to do.

But it's January 9th and I'm starting to think the kid just isn't serious enough. He's just not throwing the ball the right way. But he'll need to figure it out or......no gifts.

Just wanted to tell you about my Christmas.

[houston]

Nah. Didn't happen. Nice bait. Waiting for someone to say how MEAN that father is. Then you come in and make a point about God's gift of salvation or a point about God giving the GIFT of the Holy Gh..Spirit.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by notofworks

At Christmas time, I loaded the bottom of the tree with many amazing gifts. When the evening of the 24th came, I continued our family tradition of sitting the kids down and having them perform several things first before I gave them their gifts. Just recently on Christmas Eve, I made my older son throw a baseball 90mph. He kept saying, "Dad, I can't do that. You know I'm not good at baseball, my sport is basketball", but heck, I had my demands and I wasn't about to give him his stuff before he did what I said.

So I stood there with the radar gun and had the kid throw. I felt bad for him at one point because he was topping out at 77mph, which is decent but WAY short of where he needed to be.

Eventually, his shoulder started hurting. "Too bad", I said. "Tell you what, we'll try again tomorrow and I'll have someone come over and teach you how to throw harder."

But that didn't work. These kids, I'll tell ya.

So I bought him a book about baseball and that didn't help either.

I had him prayed for.

I got the church to do a 24-hour prayer chain.

He managed to get the velocity up to 81, but WAY short of my requirements, but too bad, you know, I have my rules and I have the way I do things.

I thought enticement would help so I told him how AMAZING his gifts were and I'll tell ya, he BEGGED me for them. But rules are rules and I will NOT give that kid his Christmas gifts until he does what I say he has to do.

But it's January 9th and I'm starting to think the kid just isn't serious enough. He's just not throwing the ball the right way. But he'll need to figure it out or......no gifts. Just wanted to tell you about my Christmas.

Very good post!

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by notofworks

At Christmas time, I loaded the bottom of the tree with many amazing gifts. When the evening of the 24th came, I continued our family tradition of sitting the kids down and having them perform several things first before I gave them their gifts. Just recently on Christmas Eve, I made my older son throw a baseball 90mph. He kept saying, "Dad, I can't do that. You know I'm not good at baseball, my sport is basketball", but heck, I had my demands and I wasn't about to give him his stuff before he did what I said.

So I stood there with the radar gun and had the kid throw. I felt bad for him at one point because he was topping out at 77mph, which is decent but WAY short of where he needed to be.

Eventually, his shoulder started hurting. "Too bad", I said. "Tell you what, we'll try again tomorrow and I'll have someone come over and teach you how to throw harder."

But that didn't work. These kids, I'll tell ya.

So I bought him a book about baseball and that didn't help either.

I had him prayed for.

I got the church to do a 24-hour prayer chain.

He managed to get the velocity up to 81, but WAY short of my requirements, but too bad, you know, I have my rules and I have the way I do things.

I thought enticement would help so I told him how AMAZING his gifts were and I'll tell ya, he BEGGED me for them. But rules are rules and I will NOT give that kid his Christmas gifts until he does what I say he has to do.

But it's January 9th and I'm starting to think the kid just isn't serious enough. He's just not throwing the ball the right way. But he'll need to figure it out or......no gifts.

Just wanted to tell you about my Christmas.

Grace came. Unmerited. Not earned (or "qualified" -- Lord knows I didn't QUALIFY to be saved either sheesh). Of no condition. Not of works lest any man should boast. The gift of God. Lavish, prodigal love to a beggar, to a castaway, rebellious son. It didn't make sense. The elder brother had a fit. This doesn't sound like how the Story should go. But it is. Grace. So amazing. Our free gift. A gift not provoked by any obligation on God's part. No "you do this, and I'll do that." Just grace.

No greater Story in all the world.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Grace came. Unmerited. Not earned (or "qualified" -- Lord knows I didn't QUALIFY to be saved either sheesh). Of no condition. Not of works lest any man should boast. The gift of God. Lavish, prodigal love to a beggar, to a castaway, rebellious son. It didn't make sense. The elder brother had a fit. This doesn't sound like how the Story should go. But it is. Grace. So amazing. Our free gift. A gift not provoked by any obligation on God's part. No "you do this, and I'll do that." Just grace.

No greater Story in all the world.

Seems very simple, doesn't it?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Grace came. Unmerited. Not earned (or "qualified" -- Lord knows I didn't QUALIFY to be saved either sheesh). Of no condition. Not of works lest any man should boast. The gift of God. Lavish, prodigal love to a beggar, to a castaway, rebellious son. It didn't make sense. The elder brother had a fit. This doesn't sound like how the Story should go. But it is. Grace. So amazing. Our free gift. A gift not provoked by any obligation on God's part. No "you do this, and I'll do that." Just grace.

No greater Story in all the world.

I'm discovering that biblical grace is down right scandalous. A man faithful to church, all the traditions, standards, codes of conduct, etc. can be lost because he added to the cross, thus making himself his own savior.... while a vile, sin filled, abominable prostitute can call on the name of Jesus trusting ENTIRELY on His finished work upon the cross and she be forgiven of all sin... past, present, and future. She is then declared righteous and holy according to Christ's imputed righteousness and holiness... and she will be welcomed into eternal glory.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I'm discovering that biblical grace is down right scandalous. A man faithful to church, all the traditions, standards, codes of conduct, etc. can be lost because he added to the cross, thus making himself his own savior.... while a vile, sin filled, abominable prostitute can call on the name of Jesus trusting ENTIRELY on His finished work upon the cross and she be forgiven of all sin... past, present, and future. She is then declared righteous and holy according to Christ's imputed righteousness and holiness... and she will be welcomed into eternal glory.

In his book, "Grace", Andy Stanley says, "Anything in addition to grace, isn't grace."

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by notofworks

In his book, "Grace", Andy Stanley says, "Anything in addition to grace, isn't grace."

[jmspiers]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I'm discovering that biblical grace is down right scandalous.

A friend on Facebook posted a link to Mark Lowry talking about grace. It was really good. He said that God spreads grace like a 4-year-old spreads peanut butter; He gets it over everything.

Originally Posted by Aquila

A man faithful to church, all the traditions, standards, codes of conduct, etc. can be lost because he added to the cross, thus making himself his own savior

Such a great, great point. Those who attempt to be justified by the law are severed from grace (Gal. 5:1-4; a very apt way of putting it since he was talking about circumcision. I love Paul haha).

[Socialite]

So my Christmas story...

My father promised everything to me for Christmas. Said I could have all that was his. I took his gift, cashed out and hit the town. He was sad. Instead of sticking around to help him with the family business, I flipped him the bird, told him I hated him and just took off. I felt I was missing out on real life. My dad didn't understand. I got a little carried away. Like really carried away. What I said to him could have gotten me in some big trouble, but he just let me go. He didn't embarrass me to stay. In fact, now that I think about it, he just looked sad. I spit on the ground, and I think I even saw a tear go down his face. I took my gift, cashed it out... and within 6 months I had spent it all. I had a bad gambling problem. (My cashing out sort of hurt dad's business too -- it was used as part of his company investment).

So I had really hurt his business, spit on his name and dishonored him, and then to top it off, squandered all the money. I didn't even have my gift anymore. I spent it all. But remembering how my dad reacted, it seemed consistent with how he raised me. I figured, even if he cussed me out, or worse, the town wanted to punch me out, I had a better chance working as a janitor at his business then the homeless line I was standing in. So, after much thought, I went back... expecting nothing, but hoping for anything...

As I jumped off the bus and started heading on foot back home (just in time for Christmas), I walked that old road that I had skipped on all my life. Familiar rocks. Smells. But then I saw him. My old man... he was standing on the porch. In his bed clothes! He wasn't just standing, now he was running at me. His hair was disheveled (it was well past midnight), his ragtag pajamas not quite CEO status. Dogs were barking. Neighbors were waking up. Even my oldest brother peered out of the bedroom window (he didn't look very happy). I quickly thought of what I would say to dad. I had it all figured out. I would barter with him. Janitor for a few years, maybe I could earn his trust to work in the office. I knew I'd never overcome the shame I brought to him, but if he could find it in his heart to barter this business decision I had, maybe just maybe...

But I was completely thrown off. He was running to me! He looked happy to see me not angry! It didn't make sense. Then, just as I was about to spit out my plans, he threw himself on me (almost falling over), laughing hysterically, kissing on me, squeezing me and crying while shouting out my name. I was almost embarrassed how happy he was. Then he called me his son... he called out for CFO who lived in a unit next door (I'm not even sure Brett the CFO even heard him -- heck, it was past midnight!) and yelled "get his ID badge printed immediately. Set out some suits for him tomorrow. He will resume his duties as COO effective immediately!" He had his butler prepare a hot meal... he went big time with it! The whole family woke up. Everyone was happy (except I never saw my oldest brother).

I was overwhelmed. I would have understood if he chased me off. At best, excepted my barter. He didn't even listen to my speech. He gave me a much-coveted job in his business. Loved me. Threw a part at midnight. I don't get it. I didn't even get a chance to apologize yet!!! I didn't get a chance to show him how serious I was!! He just loved me. Needless to say... it was the best Christmas EVER!!