The How of Forgiveness

"She's just having a rough time."

"He grew up on a tough family."

"He doesn't know better."

"Look to the good."

I hate it when people tell me these are they reasons why I need to forgive someone when they have done harm or wrong to me.  It's as if their sin is to be excused because they're having a rough time.  Yes, we all need mercy and compassion.  But A)  It doesn't excuse their sin.  And B)  It's a faulty foundation of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is founded not on the basis of "excusable behavior."  Have you ever tried that one on a young girl who is raped by her uncle?  'You need to forgive him because he grew up in a rough home.'  Yeah, not going to work.  If this were so Jesus would never, ever had to die. 

What is the basis of our ability to forgive others?   Because Christ has forgiven me.  That's it and that's enough.

The Quiet

The intimacy of romance is oftentimes wordless.  So also with brokenness.

Love

"You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving."

Amy Carmichael

"What can we learn from this situation?"

It is not necessary to have learned something through every difficult situation.  It's more necessary that I've trusted Him. 

The True Test

God's Leadership, Covering and Authority are attractive.  Women, children, poor and disenfranchised were drawn to Jesus.  Even the rebuke of Jesus to those he loves was and is inviting.  When women, children, poor and disenfranchised are attracted to your leadership, it's a good sign.  If they're not, perhaps your leadership is not in the spirit of Jesus.

A Father's Smile

The whole earth is made for our pleasure because in our pleasure is the Lord's pleasure. 
All the sights, sounds, shapes, colors, variety, life, etc..  His beauty is everywhere.

Life is Relationships

Sometimes I desperately want God to come down and arbitrate between who is right and who is wrong.  But on the contrary I believe God wants to come down and seek bridges to restore relationships.

The Unseen

People feel what you are thinking.  Think kindly.

Definition

Sin--God, you're wrong.  And if you're right, I don't care.

Hate

Hate is one of the most subtle and deceptive devices because we think it comes with intense emotions.  This is not the case.  Hatred in its most defiled form comes with almost no emotions.  It looks like indifference but actually is a heart with the door shut.

Seeking Peace

"Understanding in itself doesn't give peace! Being in His presence gives peace."

Sally McClung

Painful Trials

Adversity truly is the place of authority.

Truth hurts

We complain not because of our circumstances, but because we are complainers.

Let my Love Increase

To fully love people, I need to have the foundation of loving thoughts towards them.

"Our Father"

Good Word for the day at church: "When God answers prayer, it's not just what's best for you but what is best for everyone."

Mountain Rain: A Biography of James O. Fraser, pioneer misionary of china

Excerpts:

"Hoste (Frazer's director) was quick to point out that his time and energy was always saved by prayer and wasted with out it."

"I used to think that prayer should have the first place and teaching the second.  I now feel that prayer should have the first, second and third place and teaching the fourth."






 (p, 127, 188)
1982, OMF Books

Teachability

One of the best rebukes I ever got:  'Stop trying to prove a lie is true.'

Relationships

Impossible thing happen when they are accomplished together.

Suffering's Victory

Satan has tried to ruin me, but in doing so, God has made me.

Patience

Credibility is only built with time, lots of time.  And testing.  Lots of testing.