Is forgiveness possible?

This weekend has been a significant reminder of the atrocity of 9/11. I really can't believe that twenty years has come and gone so quickly and it is hard to imagine what our world was like before then. Of course the pain of remembering loved ones is always there for each one of us, but when your family are killed in such brutal ways, it must be hard to even contemplate forgiveness. 

This is the truly difficult part of Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and loving our enemies. It sounds good in theory, but when we have to put it into practise it is a mammoth task. Paul offers us this suggestion and it is a helpful starting point for us: 

"If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood." (Hebrews 12:3-4)

May you know the love of Jesus as you seek to love those around you.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." - Lewis Smedes

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Born on September 11

Speak to anyone about 9 - 11, and everyone will know what you are talking about immediately. In fact, many of us could tell you exactly where we were when the first images of that fateful day came through. It will forever be etched in our memories.

Without trying to minimise the pain of all involved, I wanted to write about something different today, even though a suitable topic would be on the 9/11 tragedy. In noting other events that have taken place "On This Day" in history, I notice that DH Lawrence was born on 11 September 1885. Lawrence is best known for his novels Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley's Lover.

Despite being very controversial at times and a little mixed up in his personal life, there are many interesting thoughts that have come from his pen. Take these as an example:

Ours is an excessively conscious age. We know so much, we feel so little.

In every living thing there is the desire for love. 

Man! The only animal in the world to fear.

What strikes me is that these words ring true 100 years later. We live in an age where people are afraid to show their emotions, yet we all desire to be loved and to KNOW love. Human beings have also continued to be dreadfully good at destroying one another and God's creation.

All of this reminds me of Solomon's words of wisdom.

Proverbs 13:15 - Good judgement wins favour, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 27:20 - Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.

 

Thoughts??

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

 

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/d_h_lawrenceead more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/d_h_lawrence

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/d_h_lawrence

Out of the ashes

Today is the anniversary of September 11, but I think that you already knew that. This blog is not a commentary so much on the tragedy of that event, but rather to relay another story of pain and hope. For me, today is a significant day in another sense - I get the privilege of doing a wedding for a young couple who have their own story of struggle, loss and now joy.

One year ago, this couple lost their new born baby boy - he was only a few hours old. The heartache and incredible pain of this tragedy left a mark on my heart as I tried to guide them through this time. If it wasn't easy for me, then you can only imagine how traumatic it was for them. It was beyond words.

However, today I am blessed to stand with them as they commit their lives to each other through a simple wedding ceremony. They have chosen to mark the anniversary of their sons death, by committing their love to one another. I couldn't think of a greater way to celebrate 'loss', by joining it with 'JOY'.

This reminds me that our God is always in the business of restoring hope. It is out of the ashes of despair that Christ brings up the phoenix of faith, HOPE and love. Remember that even when we encounter loss, God is already moving to create a new beginning somewhere else.

John 11:25 - "Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die..."

"Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God..." - Chris Tomlin

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Peace on 9/11

On the anniversary of 9/11, it is appropriate to speak about our desire for peace. Sadly, it seems that despite good intentions, peace still eludes the world and if anything, we may be living in times of greater pain and chaos. Why is this so? Surely, when we see all the heartache in our communities if should inspire us to push for greater peace? One would think so. Yet, I think we are still looking for ‘peace’ in the wrong places. 

Peace will continue to elude us if we look for it in human ideals and programmes design by men and women. Peace is a gift from God and when we embrace that ‘Peace’ then we can begin to share that with others. Listen to what Jesus said about Peace:

• John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

•  John 16:33 - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Peace is not something I have ownership of; therefore I can’t give it to you. But, when I receive it from God, then I can celebrate the same peace that is available to all humanity. When you and I both find peace in our Creator, then we can find peace in one another.

Make any sense? Worth thinking about…

·     “Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding” - Albert Einstein

·     “If you want peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies” - Archbishop Tutu

Living in Grace

D3LM3