Jonah

Wow, it has been a long time since I have posted. A lot going on. The Faith and Doubt series was a tough wrestling match. But we made it through. I hope you have struggled along with me during this series. BTW you can get them on the web at www.christumcmobile.com. Go to NewSong Live.

The rest of this month we will be studying the book of Jonah. You talk about a conflicted guy. Who in the world would balk at the victory that Jonah was instrumental in. Why is it so hard to celebrate the success of other people?

People who don't deserve it... People like me. Do I really believe that. Or do I weigh people's mistakes, sins. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria. These we're heartless people who destroyed nations, including Israel. They were not worthy of grace.

It is easy to say (or type) neither am I. But what do I really believe?

When it comes to giving grace, do we need to focus on our own sins realizing that we need grace and forgiveness too? Or do we simply try to forgive? What if they don't deserve it and they don't ask for it? What if I don't feel like it? What if they personally hurt me or my kids?

It is possible that the Assyrians personally affected Jonah's life negatively. Maybe that is why he did not want to go to Nineveh. This was not what he signed up for, he was a prophet of Israel not Nineveh.

Being a prophet in Israel is tough enough as is, much less when you have to go to Nineveh.
Being a Christ follower is tough enough in the church, much less when you have to live in the real world or somewhere in between.