“When he finally came to his senses,

he said to himself,

‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare,

and here I am dying of hunger!

I will go home to my father and say,

“Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,

and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.

Please take me on as a hired servant.” ‘

“So he returned home to his father.

And while he was still a long way off,

his father saw him coming.

Filled with love and compassion,

he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Luke 15:17-20

(Photo credit: Joshua Rhodes)

…there is more joy in heaven

over one lost sinner who repents

and returns to God

than over ninety-nine others

who are righteous

and haven’t strayed away!

Luke 15:7

…”You hypocrites!

Each of you works on the Sabbath day!

Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey

from its stall on the Sabbath

and lead it out for water?

This dear woman,

a daughter of Abraham,

has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years.

Isn’t it right that she be released,

even on the Sabbath?”

This shamed his enemies,

but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

Luke 13:15-17

(Photo credit: Bryson Drury)

And people will come from all over the world—

from east and west, north and south—

to take their places in the Kingdom of God.

And note this:

Some who seem least important now

will be the greatest then,

and some who are the greatest now

will be least important then.”

Luke 13:29-30

Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said,

“When you see clouds beginning to form in the west,

you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’

And you are right.

When the south wind blows, you say,

‘Today will be a scorcher.’

And it is.

You fools!

You know how to interpret the weather signs

of the earth and sky,

but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.

Luke 12:54-56

“Understand this:

If a homeowner knew exactly when

a burglar was coming,

he would not permit

his house to be broken into.

You also must be ready all the time,

for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Luke 12:39-40

“Sell your possessions

and give to those in need.

This will store up treasure for you in heaven!

And the purses of heaven

never get old or develop holes.

Your treasure will be safe;

no thief can steal it

and no moth can destroy it.

Wherever your treasure is,

there the desires of your heart will also be.

Luke 12:33-34

“Look at the lilies and how they grow.

They don’t work or make their clothing,

yet Solomon in all his glory

was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers

that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,

he will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith?

Luke 12:27-28

…“Beware!

Guard against every kind of greed.

Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Luke 12:15

(fresh harvested dates)

“…when you are brought to trial

in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities,

don’t worry about how to defend yourself

or what to say,

for the Holy Spirit

will teach you at that time

what needs to be said.”

Luke 12:11-12

(Chopperguy Photographer Jerry Ferguson & Pilot Andrew Park 8/18/16)