Good afternoon! It's about 11 AM as I write this one. If you read my other post this morning Rated R , posted in the spot this series usually holds, first of all, thank you. Secondly, you'd know that I veered off a little from my train of thought again. Autism is a very important subject to me, as are special needs people and children in general. I will always advocate for children when I can. I don't have a great speaking voice in my opinion. I don't always come into contact with adults in my day to day life, except through the computer. My writing may need work, but hopefully I get my point across most times.
In our daily bible reading of John we know that Jesus is aware that he's going to die. He knows that he is going to die at the appointed time --not for his transgressions, as he was and is sinless --but for ours. I get that death. I understand why it was needed. It was still murder plain and simple, but God's plan was in it.
Exodus 20:13. Thou shalt not kill.
Deuteronomy 5:17 Thou shalt not kill.
Matthew 5:21,22 Jesus teaches us that not only is it wrong to kill but it is equally wrong to hate.
Romans 13:9 "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal,. Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely,Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
It's pretty clear God's view on murder. We as humans, religious or not, understand that to take a life is wrong. In some cases it is a crime punishable by death. It can also be punished by life imprisonment.
But. Someone decided that surely murder isn't wrong in all cases. In some cases it's justifiable, such as protecting your life or that of your family in case of an intruder or someone trying to attack you. Okay. I kinda get that.
What I don't understand is how it was decided that a child inside the womb can be murdered and people can be okay with this. But since 1973 it hasn't been called murder. It's termed abortion, or termination of a pregnancy. It was decided that a child inside the womb is not a child. No, that's a zygote, a fetus, a clump of cells, like a cancer. It's not really a baby until someone decides it is, whenever that happens.
A clump of cells that is a cancer does not turn into a baby. Nor does it turn into a tree. Cancerous cells are just that -cancerous. A seedling planted in the ground starts out as a tiny plant and grows into a tree, a bush, a flower. A puppy inside it's mother's tummy comes out as a puppy, not a kitten. A tiny embryo inside a mother's body is a baby. He or she is alive, or the pregnancy would not continue. He would stop growing and nature would take its course.
I am pro choice. I believe every one has the right to take responsibility for their life. I believe a woman has the right to choose what she will do to or for herself. I believe a woman has the right to choose to have sex or abstain, if she is old enough to maturely make that decision. I believe that if she is old enough and mature enough to have sex that she should be wise enough to consider the natural result of that act: pregnancy. If one does not wish to become pregnant, in this day and age we have several choices --abstain or use one (or two) of the many forms of birth control. Most are easily obtainable, some over the counter, some via a doctor. There are free and low cost clinics for those with little money. But the only fool proof way to not get pregnant is to not have sex. We can control our own bodies and our thoughts if we so choose.
When a woman becomes pregnant, she is no longer dealing with just her body, however. She has become entrusted with the care of another body; a living child who is being lovingly and wondrously made inside her womb. A baby. Not a mistake, not an accident, not a clump of cells to be discarded. A child. There should only be two options there, except in the (very rare) case of harm to the mother's life. Either decide to raise and love the child, or give the child up for adoption in a loving home. So many out there would give anything to be a parent. These days you can even arrange private adoptions and give the child to the couple of your choosing. There are so many loving hearts waiting for a child if you decide you are not ready to be a mother. Some of us can't afford the legal fees, and I really wish it were easier and more affordable to adopt. But that option is most certainly there.
But Dottie, what about when a woman is raped, or incest? Shouldn't abortion be allowed then? Only in the case of threat to the mother's life should a pregnancy be terminated. If there is absolutely no doubt that the mother will die if she continues the pregnancy, that is a decision she will have to make. I can't think of a more agonizing, heart breaking thing to do. As for incest and rape, yes, those pregnancies do happen and the women had no choice in that matter. But why should the child pay for the man's crime? The child had nothing to do with what happened. Love the child enough to keep her, or love her enough to carry her to term and give her to a family who will love her if you can't bear the thought of looking at a face that was conceived in a brutal way. As for yourself, press charges against the man who did this to you. Get counseling. Forgive the past, and do what it takes to move on, but do so in a positive way.
We have so many choices in life that are positive. We shouldn't use excuses to make bad choices.
I'm not writing this to condemn women who have had abortions. God can and will forgive that if asked, and can heal past hurts. We can forgive also. I write this in hopes of saving the children. Ending a life doesn't solve a problem, does not make it go away. It just pretends to do so.
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forgiveness. Show all posts
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
A Morning Cup of Tea: At Least I'm Not...
Good morning! Please excuse my yawning. It's not the company, be assured. Its the fact that I woke up on husband time (his alarm woke me up, then J was awake, along with the cats) this morning and instead of getting on up and getting the day started I foolishly tried to go back to sleep. Didn't happen. First shift can be such fun, let me tell you. That's okay though. A more relaxed schedule is on tap for the next several days. In the meantime I have a cat asleep on my arm as I type and J has let me know he's ready for breakfast. As long as I talk to him, I have a few minutes to write so I'll hush with the gabbing and get today's reading started. : )
Today we are reading Luke 18:9-14. How many of us has ever heard heard herself or someone else say, "Well at least I'm not a murder (or an adulterer, liar, cheat, or other sin that is "worse" than what we do)? We may not actually say those words but its hard not to think it sometimes when we think about the hierarchy of sin. That's human speak, by the way. As humans we tend to like to put things in perspective. Oh, I only fibbed and told Margaret that dress looked good on her. That's only a little white lie. It's not like I cheated on my taxes or killed somebody!
Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and a publican, or tax collector. Tax collector's had a bad rep even then. Both these men went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee was loud and proud in his prayer, telling God all the things he did, such as tithing of everything he possessed. "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican." (V 11)
Can't you just see him saying this with a sneer on his face? Almost as if he hated to even say the word publican.
The publican, however, stood in a corner and wouldn't even lift his eyes heavenward. He thumped himself on the chest and said God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
To God, sin is sin. We all sin, even after baptism. We are not better than anyone else even though we try not to sin. Even a murderer can be forgiven and be a Godly person if he is repentant. Look at King David. He went after another man's wife, and deliberately placed him in the front lines during a battle, knowing he would be killed, so he could marry the woman. That's murder. Yet God considered him a man after God's own heart.
How wonderful to know that when we mess up, if we are repentant we can be forgiven.
Have a great day.
Today we are reading Luke 18:9-14. How many of us has ever heard heard herself or someone else say, "Well at least I'm not a murder (or an adulterer, liar, cheat, or other sin that is "worse" than what we do)? We may not actually say those words but its hard not to think it sometimes when we think about the hierarchy of sin. That's human speak, by the way. As humans we tend to like to put things in perspective. Oh, I only fibbed and told Margaret that dress looked good on her. That's only a little white lie. It's not like I cheated on my taxes or killed somebody!
Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and a publican, or tax collector. Tax collector's had a bad rep even then. Both these men went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee was loud and proud in his prayer, telling God all the things he did, such as tithing of everything he possessed. "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican." (V 11)
Can't you just see him saying this with a sneer on his face? Almost as if he hated to even say the word publican.
The publican, however, stood in a corner and wouldn't even lift his eyes heavenward. He thumped himself on the chest and said God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
To God, sin is sin. We all sin, even after baptism. We are not better than anyone else even though we try not to sin. Even a murderer can be forgiven and be a Godly person if he is repentant. Look at King David. He went after another man's wife, and deliberately placed him in the front lines during a battle, knowing he would be killed, so he could marry the woman. That's murder. Yet God considered him a man after God's own heart.
How wonderful to know that when we mess up, if we are repentant we can be forgiven.
Have a great day.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
A Morning Cup of Tea:Forgiveness
Good morning! How are you today? It's a beautiful day beginning out here. My husband has made it safely home after working a double shift and being up nearly 24 hours straight.
I began reading chapter seventeen, and then did a little bit of research on one thing, so we're going to focus on verses 1 through 6 today. Jesus started out speaking of offenses, and how they are going to happen from time to time. It's all but impossible to go through life and not be offended sometimes. But listen to verse three:
3.Take heed to yourselves; If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
And verse 4 continues:
4. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Now. Jesus has said when someone does something against us we are supposed to tell that person. If he or she repents, we are supposed to forgive them. Sometimes that's hard enough for our stubborn little selves. Let's take husbands, for example. In stereotypical fashion, especially according to jokes and tv, hubby does something to hurt wife's feelings or make her mad. Doe she tell him? No. She folds her arms and pouts. She'll tell anyone and everyone his offense but she wont tell him. When he asks 'what did I do?' the retort is a snippy 'Well if you don't know I'm certainly not going to tell you! You know what you did!' I will admit here and now, I've had that attitude once or twice. Trust me. It doesn't get you anywhere. It's like spinning your wheels when you're stuck in the mud. It gives the appearance of working to get out of the mess but its not going to get you anywhere. Sitting there nursing that grudge is only going to make you madder, and the person who "did you wrong" may not even have a clue what they did. Speak up. Not in a hateful manner, but just simply say, 'You know, that remark hurt my feelings.'
Then Jesus really lets us know how we are supposed to be. He said if someone offends us seven times in a day, and they repent seven times, we are to forgive them seven times. What's the first human reaction? Nah uh. One or two times I might forgive, but after that, they ain't sorry. Read verse 4 again. Did Jesus give us permission to decide if the person was truly sorry or not? No. He said if they repent, we are to forgive them.
It's not always easy to do as Jesus commands us, and forgiveness is a hard one for sure sometimes, depending on what the other person did or said. Even Jesus' disciples understood that this command would be hard to follow sometimes so they asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus told them if they had faith the size of a mustard seed (teeny tiny little thing but it can grow to be a very large tree) they could tell the sycamine tree (he was probably pointing at one near them) and tell it to be picked up by the roots and be planted in the sea, and it would be done. Interesting stuff there.
I looked up the word sycamine, and the sites I saw said that Luther called that a mulberry tree. However, I read an article by a man named Rick Renner on just this subject. He said in his posting that the mulberry and the sycamine are cousins. The sycamine has a very deep root system that reaches far down into the earth. Those trees get a really strong grip on the earth and don't tend to want to let go. Kind of like when we let a misunderstanding or or other hurt fester into anger and resentment and bitterness. We do like to hang on to our grudges sometimes, don't we? Mr. Renner had quite an interesting post there comparing the sycamine to anger and bitterness and I hope you get a chance to read it. He said something interesting that stuck with me: the sycamine tree is pollinated by wasp stings. The wasp stings the fruit and the tree and that's how it does its thing.
I don't like wasps. I've been stung by a few. I'm allergic to those little critters, or at least their stings. What do some people say when they don't want to forgive another? 'He stung me once too often. I'm not going to forgive him.' And the bitterness grows and bears more fruit. But. Let's look at our own lives. What have we done to offend God? Even after baptism we continue to sin, unknowingly as well as knowingly. We continue to ask forgiveness and God continues to forgive. He knows our hearts. If God does that for us, shouldn't we do the same for those who hurt us? Luke 11:4, in the model prayer that Jesus gives as an example of how to pray says And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Have a great day.
I began reading chapter seventeen, and then did a little bit of research on one thing, so we're going to focus on verses 1 through 6 today. Jesus started out speaking of offenses, and how they are going to happen from time to time. It's all but impossible to go through life and not be offended sometimes. But listen to verse three:
3.Take heed to yourselves; If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
And verse 4 continues:
4. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Now. Jesus has said when someone does something against us we are supposed to tell that person. If he or she repents, we are supposed to forgive them. Sometimes that's hard enough for our stubborn little selves. Let's take husbands, for example. In stereotypical fashion, especially according to jokes and tv, hubby does something to hurt wife's feelings or make her mad. Doe she tell him? No. She folds her arms and pouts. She'll tell anyone and everyone his offense but she wont tell him. When he asks 'what did I do?' the retort is a snippy 'Well if you don't know I'm certainly not going to tell you! You know what you did!' I will admit here and now, I've had that attitude once or twice. Trust me. It doesn't get you anywhere. It's like spinning your wheels when you're stuck in the mud. It gives the appearance of working to get out of the mess but its not going to get you anywhere. Sitting there nursing that grudge is only going to make you madder, and the person who "did you wrong" may not even have a clue what they did. Speak up. Not in a hateful manner, but just simply say, 'You know, that remark hurt my feelings.'
Then Jesus really lets us know how we are supposed to be. He said if someone offends us seven times in a day, and they repent seven times, we are to forgive them seven times. What's the first human reaction? Nah uh. One or two times I might forgive, but after that, they ain't sorry. Read verse 4 again. Did Jesus give us permission to decide if the person was truly sorry or not? No. He said if they repent, we are to forgive them.
It's not always easy to do as Jesus commands us, and forgiveness is a hard one for sure sometimes, depending on what the other person did or said. Even Jesus' disciples understood that this command would be hard to follow sometimes so they asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus told them if they had faith the size of a mustard seed (teeny tiny little thing but it can grow to be a very large tree) they could tell the sycamine tree (he was probably pointing at one near them) and tell it to be picked up by the roots and be planted in the sea, and it would be done. Interesting stuff there.
I looked up the word sycamine, and the sites I saw said that Luther called that a mulberry tree. However, I read an article by a man named Rick Renner on just this subject. He said in his posting that the mulberry and the sycamine are cousins. The sycamine has a very deep root system that reaches far down into the earth. Those trees get a really strong grip on the earth and don't tend to want to let go. Kind of like when we let a misunderstanding or or other hurt fester into anger and resentment and bitterness. We do like to hang on to our grudges sometimes, don't we? Mr. Renner had quite an interesting post there comparing the sycamine to anger and bitterness and I hope you get a chance to read it. He said something interesting that stuck with me: the sycamine tree is pollinated by wasp stings. The wasp stings the fruit and the tree and that's how it does its thing.
I don't like wasps. I've been stung by a few. I'm allergic to those little critters, or at least their stings. What do some people say when they don't want to forgive another? 'He stung me once too often. I'm not going to forgive him.' And the bitterness grows and bears more fruit. But. Let's look at our own lives. What have we done to offend God? Even after baptism we continue to sin, unknowingly as well as knowingly. We continue to ask forgiveness and God continues to forgive. He knows our hearts. If God does that for us, shouldn't we do the same for those who hurt us? Luke 11:4, in the model prayer that Jesus gives as an example of how to pray says And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Have a great day.
Friday, January 13, 2012
A Morning Cup of Tea: Luke 13: New Beginning
Good morning! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed the beginning of the new year with the church as I did. How wonderful indeed to have the year begin on the first day of the week!
For anyone who reads this blog regularly I must first apologize. I havent written since before Christmas. I've spent the time with family, and cleaning, and stretching my wings a little in other areas. I even wrote a few pages of fiction. But I confess, other than worship and bible study with the church, I've neglected my own personal bible study. It is so easy to let the busyness of life get in the way of our spiritual life. I've missed it. I felt the prodding, urging me to get back to where I belong. And then I lost my bible. I've looked almost everywhere in the house where I think it might be, but I still haven't found it. I even used that as an excuse. Can't write the Morning Cup of Tea, bible is missing. Still that inner voice was saying to me, there's the other bible in the car.
This morning I was awakened in part by my son who wanted my spot in bed. I thought I would lie there and relax, try to get a little more shut eye, but my brain was already off and running. I got dressed, fed the cats and went out to the car to fetch the bible.
Those of you who have read the short chapter already are probably thinking, Jesus speaks of repentance and heals a woman of her infirmity on the Sabbath, and alludes to his death. Where is she getting a new beginning from?
The new beginning is the new year. I've asked God for forgiveness for neglecting my study, and I'm asking you for forgiveness as well. I hope you will join me in bible reading each day. Tomorrow we will discuss Luke 13. I've read it this morning but I want to read it again a few more times before talking about it. I'd love to hear your comments today and tomorrow, or anytime for that matter. In the meantime, have a wonderful day.
For anyone who reads this blog regularly I must first apologize. I havent written since before Christmas. I've spent the time with family, and cleaning, and stretching my wings a little in other areas. I even wrote a few pages of fiction. But I confess, other than worship and bible study with the church, I've neglected my own personal bible study. It is so easy to let the busyness of life get in the way of our spiritual life. I've missed it. I felt the prodding, urging me to get back to where I belong. And then I lost my bible. I've looked almost everywhere in the house where I think it might be, but I still haven't found it. I even used that as an excuse. Can't write the Morning Cup of Tea, bible is missing. Still that inner voice was saying to me, there's the other bible in the car.
This morning I was awakened in part by my son who wanted my spot in bed. I thought I would lie there and relax, try to get a little more shut eye, but my brain was already off and running. I got dressed, fed the cats and went out to the car to fetch the bible.
Those of you who have read the short chapter already are probably thinking, Jesus speaks of repentance and heals a woman of her infirmity on the Sabbath, and alludes to his death. Where is she getting a new beginning from?
The new beginning is the new year. I've asked God for forgiveness for neglecting my study, and I'm asking you for forgiveness as well. I hope you will join me in bible reading each day. Tomorrow we will discuss Luke 13. I've read it this morning but I want to read it again a few more times before talking about it. I'd love to hear your comments today and tomorrow, or anytime for that matter. In the meantime, have a wonderful day.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Learning Lessons
I am becoming grateful for my age. The older I become, the more I realize I have much left to learn. And while I do hope that I can teach others through this blog, I learn so much myself. I've seen first hand how I can read the scripture, talk about it, and sooner or later (sooner this time) I get tested somehow. Forgiveness is a lesson I wrote about a day or so ago in my Morning Cup of Tea series. Matthew 18: 21-35 speaks of the king and the servant who owed him money. One more lesson I learned about forgiveness is compassion for the other person --putting yourself in their shoes for a little bit. Tonight I was verbally attacked by someone. At first I allowed myself to become angry and argue back. That was very wrong of me. I should have known better. I could blame it on the stressful day -- not much sleep, having to ask for help, yada yada, but those are excuses. But I vented to my husband and realized, hey wait a second here. This person is going through some stressful stuff too. I just happened to be the vent target and I fell for the bait.
Anger, bitterness, frustration, it's all tied in. I don't like the person I see in the mirror when I allow those feelings to come out. God doesn't like my reactions. Forgiveness feels so much better. I can't help what others may choose to do, but I can control my own thoughts and actions. I still have many lessons to learn. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn them. Have a great night.
Anger, bitterness, frustration, it's all tied in. I don't like the person I see in the mirror when I allow those feelings to come out. God doesn't like my reactions. Forgiveness feels so much better. I can't help what others may choose to do, but I can control my own thoughts and actions. I still have many lessons to learn. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn them. Have a great night.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea : Forgiveness
Our reading today is Matthew 18: 21-35
In verse 21 Peter asked Jesus, how often should we forgive when a brother sins against me? Seven times? Jesus answered, not seven times, but seventy times seven. That's a lot of times of forgiving. I am reminded of a Veggie Tales video called the Grapes of Math, which discussed this subject. One of the characters asked how much is 70 times 7 and the little girl grape piped up "four hundred and ninety!" The point is, continually forgive.
Jesus then told the parable of the servant who owed his master ten thousand talents. His master wanted his money back but the servant could not pay.Of course the master ordered him and his family sold so he could get his money. But the servant pleaded with him for more time so that he could repay. The master had compassion on him, and forgave the debt.
Later, the servant saw a fellow servant who owed him a hundred pence. He asked the man to repay him, but the man could not pay. He too asked for more time, but the first servant insisted on sending the man to prison until the debt could be paid. His fellow servants saw this and reported back to the master. The master was angry because he had forgiven this man his debt, and he did not have the same compassion for someone else. He was delivered to the tormenters till the debt could be repaid.
In verse 35 Jesus says: So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Is it always easy to forgive? No. Speaking from experience, it's not. Our human instinct is to want retribution. But while some things should be punished, we should forgive anyway because the bible tells us if we choose not to forgive others, God may choose not to forgive our trespasses. It's our choice.
Living with hatred and unforgiveness in one's heart does nothing to the one who wronged us. We pay the price on that one. It eats at the soul and makes one bitter. You've seen people like that. Sister I'mRight who sits in the corner with a frown on her face because back in 1976 Brother Made a Mistake said something that upset Sister I'mRight. He has asked forgiveness and has gone on with life, but she just wont give up that grudge.
We know that when we choose not to forgive its usually for something that was a bit more serious than that. But forgiveness can be achieved. Sometimes you have to pray to God to help you, and sometimes that means asking God to change YOUR heart. I've been there. If the person could be prosecuted for what he did after all this time I'd want to see it happen, but I also know that his childhood wasn't the greatest and he has many issues I hope he deals with before his time here on earth is done. I hope that someone may reach him so that he may know God's forgiveness and salvation. It's taken me a long, long time to get to that point. I still struggle with it at times. But I know I can be in the same room with him and be a Christian. It was when I chose to begin to forgive him that a lot of my anger and depression began to lift. When I held on to anger and resentment for what he did, he controlled my life. I didn't like that. I much prefer that I be guided by God's Word rather than hatred of a man who did something a long time ago and is no longer in my life.
In verse 21 Peter asked Jesus, how often should we forgive when a brother sins against me? Seven times? Jesus answered, not seven times, but seventy times seven. That's a lot of times of forgiving. I am reminded of a Veggie Tales video called the Grapes of Math, which discussed this subject. One of the characters asked how much is 70 times 7 and the little girl grape piped up "four hundred and ninety!" The point is, continually forgive.
Jesus then told the parable of the servant who owed his master ten thousand talents. His master wanted his money back but the servant could not pay.Of course the master ordered him and his family sold so he could get his money. But the servant pleaded with him for more time so that he could repay. The master had compassion on him, and forgave the debt.
Later, the servant saw a fellow servant who owed him a hundred pence. He asked the man to repay him, but the man could not pay. He too asked for more time, but the first servant insisted on sending the man to prison until the debt could be paid. His fellow servants saw this and reported back to the master. The master was angry because he had forgiven this man his debt, and he did not have the same compassion for someone else. He was delivered to the tormenters till the debt could be repaid.
In verse 35 Jesus says: So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Is it always easy to forgive? No. Speaking from experience, it's not. Our human instinct is to want retribution. But while some things should be punished, we should forgive anyway because the bible tells us if we choose not to forgive others, God may choose not to forgive our trespasses. It's our choice.
Living with hatred and unforgiveness in one's heart does nothing to the one who wronged us. We pay the price on that one. It eats at the soul and makes one bitter. You've seen people like that. Sister I'mRight who sits in the corner with a frown on her face because back in 1976 Brother Made a Mistake said something that upset Sister I'mRight. He has asked forgiveness and has gone on with life, but she just wont give up that grudge.
We know that when we choose not to forgive its usually for something that was a bit more serious than that. But forgiveness can be achieved. Sometimes you have to pray to God to help you, and sometimes that means asking God to change YOUR heart. I've been there. If the person could be prosecuted for what he did after all this time I'd want to see it happen, but I also know that his childhood wasn't the greatest and he has many issues I hope he deals with before his time here on earth is done. I hope that someone may reach him so that he may know God's forgiveness and salvation. It's taken me a long, long time to get to that point. I still struggle with it at times. But I know I can be in the same room with him and be a Christian. It was when I chose to begin to forgive him that a lot of my anger and depression began to lift. When I held on to anger and resentment for what he did, he controlled my life. I didn't like that. I much prefer that I be guided by God's Word rather than hatred of a man who did something a long time ago and is no longer in my life.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea: Prayer and Forgiveness
Good morning! I hope you had restful sleep last night. Around here it seems to be one of those topsy turvy days where J wakes early, meaning naptime comes later in the day.
Today's lesson is Matthew 6:5-`15. In this passage is the model prayer, commonly known as the Lord's prayer.
In the first few verses, 5-8, Jesus tells us how not to pray. He says to avoid being like those who speak loudly in public places when they pray, or those who use vain, repititious words. They are attention seekers and get their reward from what people think of them. We are to pray in private. Does this mean that prayer should not be led in church and other gatherings? Certainly not! During those times all minds should be of one accord. While one is leading the prayer, the others should be praying silently along with them.
The model prayer that Jesus prayed shows us how we should pray. We should come to our Father in heaven reverently. We should pray for the church, which is us, the people. We should ask for our daily needs. We should ask forgiveness of our own sins, and we should ask help in those who sin against us. And we should ask God to help us stay out of temptation.
He already knows what we need, yet he wants us to ask. He wants a relationship with us!
Once the prayer was over, Jesus reiterated a specific point:
14: For if ye foforgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Our goal here on earth is to become more and more like Jesus. We are no more perfect than our neighbor. If we will not forgive them and would rather hold a grudge, why should the Father forgive us?
Today's lesson is Matthew 6:5-`15. In this passage is the model prayer, commonly known as the Lord's prayer.
In the first few verses, 5-8, Jesus tells us how not to pray. He says to avoid being like those who speak loudly in public places when they pray, or those who use vain, repititious words. They are attention seekers and get their reward from what people think of them. We are to pray in private. Does this mean that prayer should not be led in church and other gatherings? Certainly not! During those times all minds should be of one accord. While one is leading the prayer, the others should be praying silently along with them.
The model prayer that Jesus prayed shows us how we should pray. We should come to our Father in heaven reverently. We should pray for the church, which is us, the people. We should ask for our daily needs. We should ask forgiveness of our own sins, and we should ask help in those who sin against us. And we should ask God to help us stay out of temptation.
He already knows what we need, yet he wants us to ask. He wants a relationship with us!
Once the prayer was over, Jesus reiterated a specific point:
14: For if ye foforgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Our goal here on earth is to become more and more like Jesus. We are no more perfect than our neighbor. If we will not forgive them and would rather hold a grudge, why should the Father forgive us?
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