what to do w/ the prodigal

[caileesnana]

I know in the Bible the father took his son back w/ open arms, so glad he was alive, home and repentant. But how many times did the father do this?

I ask because I know the day is coming in 21-30 days (if I can't persuade insurance to leave her longer) that she will want to come home. Every time, it lasted only a little while. Once we moved to get the "out of the environement", come back w/ a contract, halfway house (what a waste of money). I know the counselors will recommend this and that, but I want to have my mind and heart in the right place. I want what will help her the most.

Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions, scripture appreciated.

God bless,
susan

[best]

When the son repented...turned from his poor choices and returned, his father was waiting with open arms. The father gave the son what he asked for before leaving because he knew that he couldn't reason with the son any more and that his son needed to learn things the hard way. When "the son" made the choices to correct his ways, he returned to his father's house with a humbled heart.

From a scriptural standpoint, when we mirror how God deals with us we would do the same... Accept them back with open arms when they turn from sin..every time.
7 times 7? Jesus says 70 times 7. (or more times then worth counting)

What are the steps that take place when God forgives us?
What were the steps that took place when the father accepted the son back?

Turn from sin, (repent) *has she done this?*
Ask for forgiveness from our heart.*has she done this?*
Know that open arms await and accept the love that is given. *if so yes do this*

[Rusty G]

I agree with Best. That Parable hits close to home with me. His son had been gone on a long drunk, wild women, etc. It said while he was still a long way off the father saw him coming. That makes me think maybe that father was out on his front porch every morning looking for his son to return. Just like God and me.


From a book I have.

Two indicators of addiction are the gradual loss of identity and the progressive violation of one's own values in the practice of the addiction. The gospel ( Romans 7; 18-20 ) describes these addiction symptoms in the following terms; " It is no longer I who do it, but the sin that dwells in me "