“As parents, we want our children growing up with both the truth of the Father’s love ringing in their ears and the experience of the Father’s love as part of their daily reality. When you are helping your children remember and experience the Father’s love, you are discipling them to become convinced of their true identity and to live in it” (JOINING JESUS AS A FAMILY, pg. 85).

“Traditionally the story is called ‘The Parable of the Prodigal Son’ and is one of Jesus’ most poignant tales. It has been told and retold because it is so easy to identify with the son and the mercy he received in spite of his arrogance and stupidity. By calling it the Prodigal Son, however, we lose the central focus of the parable. He was only one of two brothers, each dealing with an estrangement from their father, albeit in vastly different ways. The central character is the father himself and for that reason I wish it were called ‘The Parable of the Incredible Father.’ For Jesus used this story to paint a portrait of His Father, and believe me, this is like no father you’ve ever known” (HE LOVES ME, pg. 40).

“The blessing of Father God is actually way beyond any human relationship. The best possible earthly father giving the most excellent blessing can’t compare to the smile of your heavenly Father. His love is supernatural and powerful, unending and unassailable” (SEEING GOD AS A PERFECT FATHER, pg. 16).

“The Bible tells us that as His core, God is love. The perfect Father is loving, and when the Father acts, He always acts out of this heart of love” (SEEING GOD AS A PERFECT FATHER, pg. 122).

“After Jesus’ baptism, we see why it was so important for Him to remember what His Father said about His true identity: first the devil, then the crowds, and even His own family and disciples aggressively tempt Jesus to abandon His true identity for a false one. Jesus has to diligently practice remembering His true identity in order to resist the temptations, stay on course, and remain fully fueled for pursuing His true purpose, day after day. And the same is true for us” (JOINING JESUS AS A FAMILY, pg. 70).

“When we remember to remember Jesus - to re-approach Him with childlike curiosity over and over - we are also slowly learning to live under the influence of His sensibilities. We end up doing the things that Jesus did, worshiping Him through the gracious work of radical hospitality. And as we do the things Jesus did, depending on His Spirit for the strength and courage to do them, we understand His heart more deeply” (THE JESUS-CENTERED LIFE, pg. 146)

Andy Rutunno, a missionary from Gleanings for the Hungry, joins us to share about the work being done around the world.