Chasing Paper Moons

By Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Markwei

Is what you see really what it is? Do all dreams come true? What happens when we find out our dreams never quite came true? Can we ever repair the relationships we willfully destroyed in our search for meaning in life? What are the parameters for reconciliation?

 

These and many others could be the questions that need to be answered by many who went out on a limb looking for that which was reachable in their thinking only to find out that they were only paper moons that were never really there.

 

This book presents an insightful approach to the story of the prodigal son and would definitely leave every reader with principles that would serve as guiding lights for all who have stepped out in search of that which was not there.  And more than just that, it presents warning lights for those who are yet to dance in the arena of prodigality. A must-read for everyone.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Markwei
• Release date: Jan 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9789988325749

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 REV. DR. EBENEZER MARKWEI

All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright laws of Ghana. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged.

Permission will be granted upon request.

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CHASING

PAPER MOONS

ISBN 978-9988-3-2573-2

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FOR COPIES OF THIS BOOK/ SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

E-mail: [e-mail] PHONE: [phone]

REV. DR. EBENEZER MARKWEI

Website:www.livingstreamsint.org

www.livingstreamsint.org/revdrmarkwei

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PRINTED IN GHANA

CONTENTS

VII

THE AUTHOR

IX

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 01: 14

BEAUTIFUL SOMEWHERE FAR

CHAPTER 02: 25

OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY; BETTER?

CHAPTER 03: 34

LIVING WITH TOMORROW IN SIGHT

CHAPTER 04: 44

YO’ GIT WHAT’YA GIVE NO SIN

CHAPTER 05: 53

SWINE FOOD DINNER

CHAPTER 06: 60

PARTY WITH NO GUEST

CHAPTER 07: 67

WAKE UP WHEN THE MORNING COMES?

CHAPTER 08: 77

DISCHARGED FROM FOOLS PARADISE

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CHASING PAPER MOONS

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 09: 85

TALK TO THE SWINE

CHAPTER 10: 103

JUST GET UP

CHAPTER 11: 109

VALLEY OF EXCUSES ALWAYS GOOD

CHAPTER 12: 119

BEGGARS HAVE NO CHOICE

CHAPTER 13: 128

TAKE A MESSAGE TO DADDY BUT DON’T TELL WHERE I AM

CHAPTER 14: 144

TAKE THE SERVICE KEYS

CHAPTER 15: 152

WARDROBES FOR CHANGE

CHAPTER 16: 167

WHAT ABOUT THE ELDER BROTHER?

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THE AUTHOR

R

ev. Dr. Ebenezer Markwei is one of the foundational leaders of the current charismatic renewal movement in Ghana. He is the founder and General Overseer of Living Streams International, a non-denominational charismatic church headquartered in Accra with branches worldwide. Dr. Markwei has seen ministry that spans a period of over forty years and has mentored many men and women across the globe.

Rev. Dr. Markwei is a much sought-after international conference speaker and visiting lecturer in international Bible schools around the world. He has a penchant for presenting Biblical truth with acute insight mixed with practical windows of application laced with humor that endears him to millions the world over. An avid writer, Rev. Dr. Markwei is also the author of four international bestsellers—Silver Stones for Destiny, Treasures from Eden, Fisherman’s Road Map and Lights Off.

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CHASING PAPER MOONS

He is married to Rev. Dr. (Mrs.) Davina Markwei, a medical doctor and minister of the Gospel and they are blessed with four children: Sean, Mehitabel, David and Darren.

| VIII |

INTRODUCTION

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O

ne of the favorite Bible stories that I could never forget right from Sunday school at the old Presbyterian Church in my hometown was the parable of the prodigal son. The Sunday school teacher imprinted it so vividly in our minds we were left with no option than to view the prodigal son with great aversion.

Growing up through church and school, it looked as if the only thing in the New Testament was the parable of the prodigal son. There was always a question that nagged me throughout, it was quite simple and it had to do with how relevant the parable of the prodigal son was to our everyday existence.

I thought maybe there could be the possibility of the parable being lived out in full in these times we call modern. I quickly agreed with the scripture, which declared there was nothing new under the sun for whatever we see had probably been seen before.

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CHASING PAPER MOONS

An old story that simply looked like a historical account of a young man full of promise but who in the end landed in the land of waste, and by the courtesy of grace found his way back into favor, suddenly made meaning.

Maybe there could be hidden nuggets of gold in this interesting story that could prevent many a heartache and release others from self-imposed prisons. Maybe there could be others who despite the warning lights offered by this blatant story would like to see the reality of the pain felt by the prodigal son.

It was easy to see the story only from the perspective of the son and ignore the perspective of the father. This was one of the truths that blew me out of my socks. For in that story were three perspectives, the errant prodigal, the steadfast brother who felt unappreciated, and then the father who paced the balcony looking for the arrival of the prodigal.

Each of these perspectives would warrant a book by itself but in this treatise, I seek to capture the attention of all who aspire to reach out for that which is bigger than them, through all three. Life does bring us all opportunities, which should be carefully weighed with the pendulum of relationship, responsibility, and accountability.

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| X |

INTRODUCTION

The divine alone never determines whatever we would become in the future, we also play our part in full, willfully or not. It is amazing that with all the information that is available on life’s highway we still walk brazenly into the potholes and death traps on the highways.

This book brings to the attention of everyone these traps and potholes, which in hindsight always look richer but the price for that could be something we all could avoid. I prefer to use someone else’s experience as a guiding lamp for my feet through this maze we call life than to be used as an example of wild oats sown and whirlwinds reaped.

The principles I gleaned are what have been made available for all to use. For those who feel called to reach out for that which lies beyond but through mistakes of omission and commission have been unable to reach, I offer thought-provoking principles that may provide correcting discomfort. To those who are already there, this could be the reinforcement of principles already known yet more articulately espoused for use as teaching material. This book is submitted again to the library of heaven and to all who thirst for the water brooks of divine knowledge. May this book provide a ladder down from the paper moon you found to be an illusion. Happy reading.

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CHASING PAPER MOONS

And he said, A certain man had two sons:

And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

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INTRODUCTION

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

And he answering said to [his] father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

But as soon as this thy