Better call on HIS Name [“JESUS”] and be saved better late than never
Never is a death sentence apart from HIM where hell is a reality you never want to know, feel, or see
See that HE died for you while you were still a sinner and realize for the first time ever you need a Savior
See HIM on a cross with nails driven in bleeding for you to conceive; see HIM buried in a grave taking away your sin, guilt, and shame pleading for you to believe; see HIM resurrected to life again with the mission of leading you to receive HIS gift of greater salvation for the Great Commission so your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life acquisition -destined for Heaven with permission adopted into GOD’s family as a brother or sister to all HIS men, women, & children
Never were you meant to be on your own fighting a battle you alone cannot win without HIS mighty hand to save and lift up given
Better is one day in HIS courts confessing your sin and requesting for HIM to rescue, to restore, and to redeem as forgiven
Free to accept HIM [JESUS] into your heart (who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life)… for new life to begin
Here with HIS grace, mercy, and compassion chosen and overflowing for HIS joy to know within
Then walking with HIM to grow in faith, hope, and love is your decision to be reassured arisen
Best is HIS love eternal, enduring, and everlasting meant to never end
Quest to continue knowing HIM and making HIM known befriends
Faith in HIM represent
Mind renew always with wisdom eloquent
Thankful YOURS known to intersect for minds to reprove of heaven's advice lent
Riveting amount is opulent
Letting one see what is transcendent
Toward the shore for new life that is imminent
Hope is what is sent
Soul restore always defend
Make YOURS shown to resurrect for souls redo to win who arise again
Giving out encouragement
Getting to dream of what is meant
For more of a future that is relevant
Love every moment
Heart revive always open
Take YOURS alone to reflect for hearts to remove fear within comprise to mend
Living fount covenant
Setting free awoken
Pour forth the Word to be spoken
Grace, mercy, and compassion evident
Spirit refresh always with peace mitigant
Break through with YOURS sown to reconnect for spirits that regrew like butterflies ascend
Pivoting stout when repent
Forgetting past things that were arrogant
Soar North above the storms resilient
YOU were there when I fell in the deepest pit of utter black darkness wraith of hope depressed
YOU were there when I laid down and could barely sit up to muster any faith to cope in my mess
YOU were there when I was a shell of emptiness with shallow breath as evidence not sure whether I’d ever have steps to be deft again or mend even from your nurturing obligations
YOU were there when I was in hell of loneliness like a death sentence, but you never left as I wept and hardly slept in weakness rend often to descend furthering complications
YOU were there in my broken brokenness lost in strife
YOU were there to awaken awareness into new life
YOU were there to believe for me when I couldn’t just be
YOU were there to perceive YOU’d free when I wouldn’t trust Thee
YOU were there when I couldn’t do anything
YOU were there to pull me through everything
YOU were there to encourage and rebuke readily
YOU were there to give reassurance resolute steadily
YOU were there until we were a growing family
YOU were there to fulfill that we were overflowing avidly
YOU were there when I was lost, then amazed by YOU found with YOUR grace, mercy, and compassion all around no longer the same without any shame
I am here because YOU counted the cost, and raised me up off the ground with purpose, vision, and a future with passion to abound now stronger for YOUR Name renown to proclaim
I reblogged the following post from Matthew Malin, the author of Confessions.
I’ve made a few terrible mistakes in my short twenty-seven years. A serious understatement. It’s possible that I could begin an article series that walks through every horrible decision I’ve made and still have enough content to keep me busy, and you laughing, for years.
Like the one time I decided it would be a good idea to hop the baseball fence in an effort to impress one of the softball girls I was crushing on. I was playing Baseball as a Sophomore in high school.The cool thing to do back then was, well, act cool. I remember leaving my gloves on the other side of the fence “accidentally.” I figured this was a great moment to showcase my athletic ability. It just so happened that the entire softball team was running right past the spot I was going to jump over.
Notice I didn’t include in the title “HAPPY” New Year. I do want you to be happy, but I know and understand many are not for they are dealing with difficult things even extremely severe pain/despair/loss, suicidal thoughts, and/or mental illness. You are not alone… I thank all of you who have followed this blog and I’m here for anyone who needs support, encouragement, and care… Reach out to me anytime!!…
JESUS understands all about whatever you’re facing and HE desires to be there for you in it, through it, and on into new life…
It is officially 2020 and what comes to mind is 20/20 vision which is considered good eyesight for humans to have… How is your vision now?
Do you look on with faith, hope, and love or doubt, anxiety, and fear?…
If you have faith, hope, and love in JESUS (looking to HIM for your help) despite what circumstances you’re dealing with, you’re trusting HIM through it all no matter what so you can move forward along your journey…
If you have doubt, anxiety, and fear in yourself or others; the circumstances you’re dealing with become overwhelming and make one feel stuck…
What do you want your vision to be this year in 2020?
Can it be directed upward to whom your help comes from ultimately?
Can it change from despair within yourself or from mistrust in others?
Yes, you can change course by bringing everything you are to JESUS who will daily bear your burdens and give your soul rest… then onward, pressing on, to moving forward with HIM as HE leads you into new life…
There is available to every one of us a more perfect vision that is spiritual and action oriented…
I call it KING Vision 17/17…
It is a way of looking at our life in HIS love, through HIS love, and with HIS love for GOD and for others to continually pursue in order to know, to grow, and to show…
JESUS is the KING of kings…
Vision is viewing life with purpose on mission…
17/17 is inspired by Proverbs 17:17 which states firstly “A friend loves at all times…”
JESUS is our friend that is able to love us at all times…
Knowing this helps us love GOD and others at all times…
How about adopting KING Vision 17/17 in this year of 2020 that is better than 20/20 human vision?
At 2 years old, I had a very high fever that wouldn’t break. I was taken to the hospital and the doctors couldn’t get it down either… I ended up having seizures and was placed in an ice bath with hopes of bringing the temp down and not succumbing to an early death. This experience may have contributed to me having a crossed eye and loss of vision. At 4 years old, I had surgery on my left eye to shorten the muscle so as not to have an extreme cross eye. I have not had unaided 20/20 vision since… I needed corrective lenses to help me see better and obtain as close to 20/20 vision as can be had.
If I could have glasses/contacts made that help correct my vision by an optometrist, then wouldn’t it be possible for GOD to correct our spiritual vision in a greater way? HE has done it for me… HE can for you too!!… Nothing is impossible for HIM!!!
Today is the first day of the new year 2020, so many choose to make new year’s resolutions which can lead to positive life-changing results. More often than not, many resolutions fall by the wayside.
With GOD however, HIS mercies are new every morning, HIS compassions fail not…
You need to know this, so that when new year’s resolutions are met with adversity or failure you may still have hope each new morning… Yes, today is 1/1/2020. Yet, remember GOD gives each day as a new start and HIS compassions for you will not fail even when you do fail…
Does your vision for 2020 hold on to only what you’ve done today, for days in a row, for this week, or for even this whole year?
Would you rather have KING Vision 17/17 where love is available at all times and every day is a new start to accept change, accept healing, accept forgiveness of self/others, accept new life each and every day and accept new endeavors meant for you to be a part of one day?!…
New life is found in JESUS for HE is the Way, the Truth, and the Life… HE changed water into wine… HE can renew your mind with peace to not resign… HE can repair your broken heart to be one of a kind… HE can recreate a pure heart for new innocence to find… HE can restore your despairing soul with peace to realign… HE can redeem your wounded spirit with new found freedom in HIS love forever remind… You can remain in faith, hope, and love eternally within HIS grace, mercy, and compassion with new beginnings to brightly shine…
HIS Words lead to the ONE who guides and forgives to find salvation
HIS Words plead for you to know new life to give -remind of its translation, designed for a firm foundation, and aligned for a pure relation
HIS Words indeed are truth, abide to live, bind to your heart elation
HIS Words last forever as eternal insight into JESUS
HIS Words cast purpose and vision needed to trust
HIS Words forecast service and provision heeded a must
HIS Words spoken bring about faith to the hearer when listened
HIS Words open to bring about hope to be clearer in acquisition
HIS Words chosen bring about love to be nearer come into fruition, with addition for the Great Commission
HIS Words acclimated are driven within by the Spirit into all Truth to be known, to be grown, and to be shown no longer wander prone
HIS Words activated are given into oneself meaning, healing, and revealing from HIM as the Way, the Truth, and the Life sown no longer falter alone
HIS Words are forever eternal… for YOU have exalted YOUR Word above all YOUR Name Psalm 138:2
Isaiah 55
Invitation to the Thirsty
55 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. 5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
If you're overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts
or have a plan for suicide, it is ok to
get help from a mental health professional
for meds to help support you
as well as counseling as you look to be hopeful again
and better manage your precious life
(especially if you've been abused or experienced trauma in any way)...
You're worthwhile and valuable...
I care about you!!... Reach out to me anytime...
I want you to be an overcomer and a fighter...
L.ive O.n V.ictorious E.ndeavor
Choose L.O.V.E.;
L.ift-up I.nspirational F.uture E.ndure
Choose L.I.F.E.
In my acronym, S.T.A.R.T.S. will mean:
something you do…
something new you do…
something you continue to do…
Spiritual
Truths
Activated
Renew/Restore/Replenish
Together
Soundness
What is Forgiveness?
I did not like the definition of forgive in the Merriam Webster dictionary due in part that it said “cease to feel”. To forgive someone or yourself is more than that and also different than that. I believe you can forgive, yet still feel the hurt and pain until a process of healing takes place over time where feelings about it begin to diminish and for some the feeling may never fully go away. There is more hope then to have the ability to forgive if we know that feelings involved may still linger on… The good news is that GOD is willing, available, and able to help us forgive if we are struggling with this very thing.
So I looked up the Greek word of forgive. It is aphíēmi.
It comes from the root word apo and híēmi.
ἀπόapó, apo’ means:
a primary particle; “off,” i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):—(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with.
ἵημι híēmi means:
(to send; an intensive form of εἶμι eîmi, to go)
So let’s think of forgive as even just these 2 words separately (apó) and (híēmi)
If we choose apó, then we may take “off” and move “away” (from something near) in various senses (of place, time, or relation). Then if we choose híēmi, we may “send” it away in order “to go” forward…
This is so good what to forgive does for us.
Here is what it looks like: I forgive __________ to take “off” this hurt done to me and move “away” from it. I “send” it away in order “to go” forward…
Here is a new way to approach an experience of forgiving as a decision made with this process now in mind to do and an action within the heart to occur:
Ex. 1
I will forgive __________ because I need to take the abuse that happened in the past “off” my life and move “away” from ___________ and that which has been so near affecting my senses (thoughts, emotions, feelings of my mind, heart, soul, and spirit wounds) where I have been haunted/fearful/anxious/angry/depressed/suicidal by certain places, time it occurred through time up until now, and in my relations with myself and others. I “send” this abuse away to YOU GOD in order “to go” forward in new life with a new start… Begin to heal me within…
Ex. 2
I will forgive myself because I need to take the addiction that happened in the past “off” my life and move “away” from addiction and that which has been so near affecting my senses (thoughts, emotions, feelings of my mind, heart, soul, and spirit wounds) where I have been haunted/fearful/anxious/angry/depressed/suicidal by certain places, time it occurred through time up until now, and in my relations with myself and others. I “send” this addiction away to GOD in order “to go” forward in new life with a new start…
Ex. 3
I will forgive __________ because I need to take the rejection that happened in the past “off” my life and move “away” from the act of rejection by ___________ and that which has been so near affecting my senses (thoughts, emotions, feelings of my mind, heart, soul, and spirit wounds) where I have been haunted/fearful/anxious/angry/depressed/suicidal by certain places, time it occurred through time up until now, and in my relations with myself and others. I “send” this rejection I’ve experienced away to GOD in order “to go” forward in new life with a new start…
When combined together, here is the meaning:
ἀφίημιaphíēmi, af-ee’-ay-mee;
from apo G575 and ἵημι híēmi (to send; an intensive form of εἶμι eîmi, to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow):—cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.
What is allowed:
I cry. I cry because of what ____________ has done to me. I cry in release from _____________ in order to forgive _____________. I cry now that _______________ has no hold on me. I cry to begin my healing journey.
I forgive__________ for what he’s done/ she’s done/ they’ve done/ I’ve done.
I can forsake my abuser/ my addiction now that I’ve forgiven.
I lay aside what was done to me by _____________ since I’ve forgiven ____________.
I leave ____________ in the past because I’ve forgiven _____________ for a new beginning.
I let alone/be/go/have what was done to me by ______________ to be in my past for I’ve forgiven _______________ and move on so my present begins healing on into my future.
I omit __________ from my life now that I’ve forgiven _____________ who no longer will have a hold on me.
I put (send) away ___________ from affecting my life any longer since I have forgiven _______________.
I remit what _____________ has cause in my life for I forgive ________________.
I suffer due to what ______________ did, but I forgive ______________ so that my suffering will let me grow in all areas to be a better person for myself and others.
I yield up______________ to you now GOD to deal with, now that I’ve forgiven _________________.
Forgiveness then is letting go of the hurt and pain caused by another, others, or oneself:
to start anew
to begin the healing process
to drop the heavy load you’ve been carrying
to break off the hold another or others have had on you that is bringing you down
to be free from the mental anguish, internal conflicts, and/or suicidal ideation
to becoming more free from the emotional fears, anxieties, anger, depression in order to deal with life positively and effectively
to allow for grieving (5 stages: denial/isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance)
to move on from toxic relationships
to move on past self-harm and/or addiction
to accept, care for, and love yourself
to love others and have meaningful and special relationships
to love GOD
Be Forgiven To Forgive
GOD lets us know we are all in need of ultimate forgiveness and this is accomplished by recognizing our need for our own forgiveness, asking HIM for forgiveness, and believing in and trusting in HIS SON JESUS to come into our hearts to save us and help us live a new life:
22 This righteousness is given through faith inJesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3: 22-26
You may be afraid to come to the LORD because of your own sin (it is too much, your guilt is to heavy, and your shame is unbearable), yet HE wants you to come and be forgiven:
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
How can you know for sure you’re forgiven and saved:
But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:8-10
Who is forgiveness for:
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
GOD in HIS Word tells us to forgive others:
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14
3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sistersins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” Luke 17:3-4
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
What happens when you forgive as GOD wants you to? You are still angry about what the person/people have done? GOD says in HIS Word that HE will deal with that person/people:
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19
After accepting JESUS and now being forgiven, what happens if I sin again not wanting to. Every Believer is going to sin after receiving JESUS as LORD and Savior. Because of your relationship being reconciled to GOD, you are now able to confess your sin to HIM and not hide it. HE will forgive you and purify you when turning back to HIM with a repentant heart desiring for restored relationship. Then walk again being forgiven.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
This is in no way a license to continue sinning purposefully or in pride thinking HE won’t deal with it at some point. HE will convict us of our sin by HIS Spirit and we will need to turn in repentance with humility. If we are prideful and continue sinning, HE will humble us.
Hebrews 12:4-7
God Disciplines His Children
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children…
Hebrews 4:15-16
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Examples of Forgiveness
You may have a family member or close friend that wronged you in some way, but you don’t want GOD to repay with a vengeance. Can you forgive someone close to you and pray that GOD would have mercy on them?
Yes! A resounding yes…
Read about Moses, after getting the Ten Commandments, was told by GOD that HIS people HE rescued out of slavery from Egypt, had made an idol to worship instead of remembering GOD and what HE had done for them. GOD was ready to punish them and said HE would put them to death and start over. Moses prayed and asked GOD to not hold it against them and to remember HIS covenant and what HE had done to deliver HIS people. GOD listened to Moses and relented.
You may have a family member/members that wronged you in some way and GOD will use you to bring about good for the one or all involved. There may be a future story of you being used of GOD to rescue, restore, provide, or protect in some way.
Read about Joseph who was mistreated and rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, and then rise to leadership by Pharaoh in Egypt. GOD used Joseph to save his family from a widespread famine and ultimately forgive his brothers of their wrongdoing accepting them and their families with places to live in Egypt.
You may have been used by a sibling that took from your parent in some way and you received nothing or less than.
Read about when Esau Forgives Jacob after Jacob returns during a long time away from Esau. Jacob had fled when he learned Esau wanted to kill him for taking away his birthright and then later took his father’s blessing away from Esau as well.
You may have sinned greatly causing much harm to yourself and another/others. You are discouraged and don’t know if GOD will forgive “this”.
Read about David and Bathsheba where David sees her bathing and sends messenger for her to come and lay with him. He finds out she becomes pregnant while her husband Uriah is out fighting in the war. He tries to cover up his offense at Uriah’s expense. When Uriah is not cooperative with David’s plan, David orders that Uriah be put on the front lines and then have the army withdraw so that he dies. Nathan confronts David about his sin. David turns to the LORD in repentance and asks for forgiveness. GOD forgives David, but there are consequences for his selfish sin. Now the child they conceived together dies. GOD restores David and blesses him and Bathsheba when HE allows them to bear another son named Solomon.
Focus For Forgiveness
Here is a model prayer to pray to GOD for forgiveness from extreme guilt and shame of the greatest of sin we may have committed:
Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Power of Forgiveness
I have been changed by GOD’s forgiveness of my many sins. I have learned from HIM by HIS extending to me forgiveness through HIS grace, mercy, and compassion. Because of this change that has taken place within me, I am more apt to extend grace to others, to show mercy with cheerfulness, to listen with compassion, and to readily encourage others who need this. I know HIS love more for me and I am able to love HIM and others in return. I am now able to forgive others quickly and it be a regular response I have, since I was forgiven of so many sins, failures, and poor decisions in my own life.
Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Himweeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:36-50
I so love this story of JESUS forgiving this distraught woman who so powerfully showed love to HIM… A person who is forgiven much loves much! When you’re forgiven, you become a more loving person to GOD and to others…
Science of Forgiveness
Click the link below and read the full review about Forgiveness:
The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley covers the following topics:
What is Forgiveness? Why Practice It? How Do I Cultivate It?
It is well worth the read and has science based research about forgiveness.
Here is some of the information from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley:
What Is Forgiveness?
We can learn about it from what forgiveness is not:
it’s not glossing over or denying the seriousness of the offense against you
it’s not having to forget the offense nor accepting/excusing the offense as ok/right
it’s not having to reconcile with the person who harmed you especially in the case of abuse
it’s not releasing them from legal accountability in the case of severe wrongs
Why Practice It?
Here are just a few benefits:
makes us happier
protects our mental health
improves our health
sustains relationships
good for marriages
boosts kindness and connectedness
How Do I Cultivate It?
Here are just a few ways:
it’s something you do for you, not a gift for someone else (though I do believe you can also gift someone with forgiveness if your heart is to reconcile or help them too)
express your emotions to yourself and to others
consider what you’ve learned from what happened to you -if there has been something positive gained from it
practice empathy
practice mindfulness of hurt feelings to choose forgiveness more readily
Then to have faith’s security, hope’s clarity, and love’s sincerity that increases
Thankful for HIS mercy…
Once so trapped in the deepest pit
Then to have the fortitude to never quit
Thankful for HIS compassion…
Once so alone in shock doubting and questioning all of reality in total darkness
Then to be brought near to HIM contrite into the Light rescued so my mind works with new ability and noble sparked interests
Thankful for HIS giving me faith…
Once so wavering in turmoil thought I’d been tossed out to sea with Heaven now closed
Then to be set free with destination in fact now open forevermore so my soul alert to HIS faithfulness knows
Thankful for HIS giving me hope…
Once so fearful, empty, selfish, and filled with self-hatred
Then to be at peace, fully restored, reaching out, and overflowing fulfillment so my hearts desires come true of its longing created for, awaited for, and elated for the sacred
Thankful for HIS giving me love…
Once so weak sinking beneath the pressure and stress anxiously in agony left to my malady of bankruptcy almost a tragedy
Then in renewed strength rising above accepting my spirit beyond measure to profess consciously in cadency my testimony of amnesty about HIS remedy
Thankful for HIS giving HIS Spirit reuniting mine…
Mine or yours having fierce suicidal thoughts are not a sin in its reoccurring more than meditation
Mine or yours having fierce suicidal thoughts are a battle we can win enduring the onslaught and persevering until disaster passes without retaliation
My frontline reality is fighting beyond suicidal ideation into dreams desires for realization
My focus centrality is encouraging all to make it out within HIS remediation
My frame of reference is faith, hope, and love to abound from the Creator to HIS creation
My family I live for so I continue to press on with determination
My faith is that I don’t live for myself alone, but unto HIM in adoration
My freedom is to live pure to be secure in God the FATHER’s hands for the SON’s traits rebuilding within this clay as HIS formation
I know some will overcome every moment into freedom in the future with just being blood bought
I know some will succumb to its’ warring thoughts, yet with faith as small as a mustard seed will put trust in HIM continually knowing its not for nought
I know some will be numb from the scarring its wrought, yet rise above into new life after whats fraught
I know some will come to know JESUS once sparring alone to discover who helps in the battles fought
I know some will become found to enter in HIM after the jarring being stuck as HE lifts up with compassion from the pit caught
I know some will be from outer darkness until starring with HIM from mercy inward being taught
I know some will fall seven times and rise again 8, since each turn for help is hope and strength in HIM having sought
I know some will face their giants with grace until each one is slain to stand above the onslaught
