Sunday Celebration - Forgivenesss ... Part 2

Yesterday, I posted an illustration of forgiveness. The illustration, based on the true life accounts of unexplainable forgiveness, which inspired the song "Forgiveness" by Matthew West.

Today, I will simply post the lyrics. Happy Lord's Day.


   "Forgiveness" by Matthew West

It’s the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don’t deserve

It’s the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have just to say the word…

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it’s power can do
So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Forgiveness ... When It Makes No Sense

It has been said actions speak louder than words, I agree. Therefore, today will be an illustration.

The song, Forgiveness, by Mathew West, was inspired by an amazing story of a mother's forgiveness. She offered forgiveness to the person responsible for taking her child's life. This man, the one many believed she should despise, became like family to her. If that weren't enough, she also spoke on his behalf pleading mercy and had his sentence reduced to half. She wanted him to have a second chance in life. She knew he didn't deserve it. Yet, she freely offered it.

Some would call that crazy. Some would say unjust. I say, that looks like Jesus.

We, too, were once convicted. Undeserving of our freedom or even our lives. Jesus showed us compassion, mercy, and grace. He wanted us to have new life. He pardoned us. He forgave us. He set us free. Following Jesus will lead us to forgiveness. Forgiveness, even when, it makes no sense.

Sunday Celebration - Return To Me

The questions were simple ... Can you think of a time in your life when you were closer to God than you are right now?  ...   If so, who do you think moved, you or God?

That's the way my pastor opened his message today. Honestly, I don't remember a whole lot more after that. You see, these are questions I have asked myself many times over the years. And sadly, I imagine I will come face-to-face with them again in the coming years. If there is one thing I have come to know about my heart ... it's prone to wander. Prone to leave the God I love.

Oh, the "things" have changed (most of them even very good things) but the pattern is always the same. First, these "things" begin to creep in and steal my attention, then they begin to consume my time, until finally they have stolen my heart. My heart has wandered from the God that I love. I wish I could say that we reach an age when this is no longer true ... but I can not. From what I have seen in my own heart and the examples given to us throughout the Bible of wandering hearts ... I dare say it's a life-long (this side of Heaven) struggle.   

Fortunately, God is jealous for our hearts. And so unlike me, God doesn't walk away when His heart is wounded. No, He stays and fights. He fights for His rightful place in our hearts. When our hearts wander from God...

• He woes us.
• He pursues us.
• He wins our hearts back to Him. Again and again and again ... 

The God of the Universe. The One True God. God Almighty continually draws us back to Him.
Why? Because He loves Us. Because He is faithful, even when we are not.

Perhaps you needed to hear this today. Perhaps you may not have even realized you have wandered. Perhaps God is whispering in your ear ... Return to Me.

If you hear His voice ... Run. Run to Him, not away from Him.
Allow Him to restore to you the joy of His salvation.

Takes One To Know One

Over the past few days there has been "much to do" about a certain sports celebrity. After years of denial, and after being stripped of his titles in his sport, he has chosen to confess to wrong doing.

Not being much of a fan of the sport, I had little interest in the hoopla that was spilling out in the news. Until, I heard a comment by one of the "authorities" on the subject. When asked his reaction to the admission of guilt, he said ... "Reporting Lance Armstrong has admitted to doping is like reporting the ocean is deep." This comment captured my attention because it was funny. It held my attention because it rang true.

Even I, one who tried hard to avoid the stories on this subject over the years, had heard enough to convince me he was lying when he denied any wrong doing. So, I whole-heartedly shared the "experts" sentiment of ... Oh, he confessed. Well, thank you Captain Obvious.

Sucked in by the drama, I leaned in a little closer. I began to question his motives, his heart, and his intentions. (Oh, don't you judge me ... you do it too) Now, there was nothing wrong with his words. He was saying the right things. No, it was more his attitude. I saw an attitude of ... I'm busted. Yes, I did it. And I'm even sorry. Sorry, I got caught.

That's when, I realized this was more about me than him. Actually, this was not about him at all anymore. My perceived notions of his intent, were because ... it takes one to know one. I have never lied about using performance enhancing drugs in my sport but ... I have lied and attempted to cover it up. Once you start the cover up, it's hard to come clean. You begin to reveal truth in layers. Even then, only what is necessary for damage control. You begin to rationalize your wrong didn't hurt anyone or that everyone else is doing it. Yes, I am well aware that just because there is a confession that doesn't mean there is a heart of repentance.

Confession of wrong doing, although noble and necessary, will not change your heart.

Coming face-to-face in agreement with the One True God that all sin (wrong doing) is first against Him, and then against others .... that's what changes hearts.

Father God, when I'm tempted to look at others with a critical spirit remind me ... it takes one to know one. Turn my critical spirit into a heart of prayer. Prayer of thanksgiving for Your grace in my life. Then, a prayer that the person caught in the web of deception would know the freedom found in true repentance. The joy found in a heart right with You.

Apologize Once ...

Have you ever had God CLEARLY speak to you through the voice of a small child? I have! The most recent example occurred last night.

With this being the first week of school there has been much activity, much excitement, and much adjustment. Which means (at times) much stress! You may give a hearty amen, or just simply groan. : )

Yesterday, during one of those stressed out "mom" moments (you know the ones when you should count to ten before you speak but you don't) I gave one of those "I've had it up to here!" speeches. Now, what I said was certainly true, and you might even say understandable under the circumstances ... it was not kind. There lies the problem. So I did what any loving parent will do when they "blow it" .... I sincerely apologized for the unkind tone in which I had spoken. My precious little g-daughter graciously accepted my apology.

About an hour later (unable to forgive myself) I apologized again.

This is when God spoke to me. Through her sweet little 8 year old lips, she said ... "I forgive you Gramma. I love you. You only need to apologize once. Now, let's forget it." I hugged her and told her she was wise beyond her years and acting just like Jesus. She grinned.

So why do I share this with you? Because (like me) maybe you also would be encouraged by a reminder. There will be times we are unable to forgive ourselves but .... if we will listen .... we will hear the sweet voice of our Father saying, "I love you. I forgive you. You only need to apologize once. Now, let's forget it."