Thoughts on forgiveness

Forgiving does not mean forgetting. When we forgive a person, the memory of the wound might stay with us for a long time, even throughout our lives. Sometimes we carry the memory in our bodies as a visible sign. But forgiveness changes the way we remember. It converts the curse into a blessing. When we forgive our parents for their divorce, our children for their lack of attention, our friends for their unfaithfulness in crisis, our doctors for their ill advice, we no longer have to experience ourselves as the victims of events we had no control over.

Forgiveness allows us to claim our own power and not let these events destroy us; it enables them to become events that deepen the wisdom of our hearts. Forgiveness indeed heals memories.

 

Henri Nouwen

Get yourself to Jesus

There's a story in the New Testament about a man who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. The demon would throw his son into dangerous convulsions, and the man was at a loss as to what to do. "Have mercy on us and help us, if you can," he said to Jesus. To which Jesus replied, "What do you mean, 'If I can?' Anything is possible if a person believes." The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:22-24) Now that's an honest response. I believe, but with only part of me. I am not wholehearted about this. I believe, but I'm going to need help with my unbelief." 

Well, Jesus indeed helped him with his unbelief; He healed the boy. He drove out the demon. God helped the man believe. He demonstrated His power. That's all we're asking of you here - that you believe God could save you. He could restore you. The man had doubts but he had enough belief to get himself to Jesus anyway. Get yourself to Jesus. That's all we're asking. If you believe God could help you, well you're halfway there. That's the second step.

Do you believe that God can help you? 

John Fischer

Biblical Truth

Martin Luther King Jr. taught us to respect the intrinsic value and dignity of every human being. The fact that we are all made in God's image is not a nice idea somebody thought up; it is a biblical truth. It's not an option. 

John Fischer

MLK 2018

New Year's Resolutions?

As the world focuses on weight loss and eating healthier, what kind of New Year's resolutions have you made?  Don't fall for the weight loss pitches and gym workouts.  Yes, it's good to get in better shape, but most people make goals that are unattainable.  In this cynical world we live in where people think only of themselves, why not try a new strategy for 2018?  Be a better person!  Be more grateful, more caring, more forgiving.  Stand up for your core values and religious beliefs.  When you see something or someone do something that's not right, call them on it and use the situation as a teaching moment.  Matthew Kelly calls it, becoming a better version of yourself.  Everyone, well most people, are good, but can become better.  Why not be a better person?  That's a resolution that you can stand behind and one that is more likely to be accomplished.

New Year's Day

All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day

I will be with you again
I will be with you again

Under a blood red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspapers says, says
Say it's true it's true...
And we can break through
Though torn in two
We can be one

I... I will begin again
I... I will begin again

Oh...
Maybe the time is right
Oh... Maybe tonight...

I will be with you again
I will be with you again

And so we're told this is the golden age
And gold is the reason for the wars we wage
Though I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes
On New Year's Day
On New Year's Day

U2 - War (released Feb 28, 1983)

Songwriters: NICHOLAS HANSON, MOUSSA CLARKE, PAUL DAVID HEWSON, DAVID EVANS, LAURENCE MULLEN, ADAM CLAYTON

 

New Year's Day lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year in 2018.  I hope this is your best year ever.  It can be if you choose to do things which will improve yourself and make a better version of you.  I have always liked the start of the new year because it gives us a do over.  We can begin anew.  Start fresh.  Reset. January is always a great time to reflect on things that you can do to make your life easier, and more productive. The key is to write down your goals and start a plan to make it happen.  Another idea is to write down things that you can cut out of your life or get rid of.  Things that are non-productive or time wasting activities. Of course, don't make your goals too lofty.  They need to be challenging but should also be attainable.  Are you really going to lose 30 pounds or run 10 miles a day?  Most people fail with their new year's resolutions either because they make them too hard or they don't write them down. Don't make that mistake.  So good luck and make this new year the one that counts!