Forgiveness First

I want you to picture in your mind someone you have hurt. Maybe it was intentional, and maybe it was accidental. Think back to the situation and what you did. Have you asked them for forgiveness? We often talk in church about forgiving others for all the ways they have wronged us, but don't spend enough time talking about asking for that same forgiveness from those we have hurt.

There are too types of sin: that of commission and that of omission. The sins of commission are things we have done. The sins of omission are things we have failed to do. Sin separates us from God. God cannot fully use you for his will and you cannot fully live in his blessings if you are full of sin.

It is time to seek out those you have hurt and apologize. Sincerely and humbly apologize for what you have done wrong. God calls us to be humble and without pride. It is pride that stands in the way of apologies. If you are thinking about how mad you are at someone and how you have every right to be you are full of pride. Pride is a terrible thing it fills us up with falseness and empties us of truth. The truth cannot be seen through the pride. Often in marriages that are ending in divorce couples sit across a table with a counselor, or even a lawyer. If you were watching these pride filled people exhort the fault of their spouse at every turn you would be shocked. As an outsider looking in it is easy to see that both parties hold fault in the matter. It is also easy to see that their blindness is caused by their pride. When we hear about couples who spend thousands of dollars to get custody of the family fish we shake our heads, but alas: Matthew 7: 3-5 ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye

Now the plank may be your own pride. It may be forgiveness you need to ask someone for. If you genuinely approach someone in a humble and apologetic way you may be surprised what will happen. Don't make excuses for your actions the reason you felt the need to do something doesn't matter. I don't really care why you stole the baby's bottle and in the mind of a 2 year old it may have seemed like a rational choice, but it is time to give it back now!!!! Accept the consequences, just because you said you are sorry does not mean you get to keep the bottle or avoid time-out!!! Change your behavior. Don't wait till I turn my back and take it away again! I will know who took it!!! Most of all ask the person to forgive you!

In the real world you are not my nearly 3 year old child tormenting his nearly 1 year old sister, but an adult making adult choices with adult consequences. The reality is that if you throw your friend under the bus in a business meeting that friendship will never ever be the same. If you cheat on your spouse or betray their trust there will be a consequence. All actions have consequences. Pride is what keeps us from facing them and taking our licks! Sometimes we have to choose to value the relationship more than being right! Pride is the voice that says hey this isn't my fault! The humble person says it doesn't matter this is all about forgiveness!

The other thing you have to remember is it is all about what people perceive. You may not perceive that you did anything wrong in many instances, but if the other person does then it is better to humbly apologize than to pridefully argue your innocence!

Please Pray

I don't have a ton to say tonight, things are busy life is crazy here after the storm. Thank God we are all healthy and no severe damage to our home or us! Xavier got his cast off and has a boot now. He will be in it for the next two weeks without walking then 2 weeks walking on it before he gets it off in Mid-July! He calls it his batman leg!

Please pray for this family!
She was pregnant with their fourth child. They took shelter in a bathtub when the tornado hit. The house came down on top of them. The little boy pictured here has been missing since Tuesday. The baby died at the hospital. The little girl is in serious condition. The mom is stable and they can find the baby's heartbeat! It is soo sad and scary because I too have sheltered in a tub. There house was a normal brick home, that was totally leveled!
They are searching in 3 counties for this little boy and the outlook grows poorer as each day passes. The reality is that he could be in shock, with hypothermia and multiple injuries if he is alive! God can do all things, but this may take a miracle. So I would ask that you pray for a miracle for this family who have lost their home, one baby, and now their 3 year old!

This is what remains of the home! Look at it this is crazy!Thank God for all your blessings and kiss your children tonight; then raise the Hamil's up in your prayers!

Because he first loved me

The amazing love that Christ poured out for me in his life and his death is overwhelming to me. In my times of deepest sorrow when I feel lost and afraid turning to him and letting his love pour over me is like nothing I can describe. There is peace in praying and reflecting on his word. A peace like none you will find anywhere else.

Even though I find peace resting in God; I still have bad days. We all have them. I still stumble and fall. I still know people who are suffering, have tragically lost a loved one, or faced something they didn't expect. There are days when I feel overwhelmed. There are still people out there who have hurt me. There are still people out there who cut me off in traffic, or cut in line at the grocery store. I still run into frustrating times. I still get angry. I have a temper, and I admit that I get really mad and bitter sometimes about stupid stuff. Collosians 3: ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I want to stay mad and angry. I like to let that wound fester for a while. I want to complain and be mad at the person who has hurt me. Hey isn't it normal to be angry. It's what everyone is doing. Besides its hard to forgive people especially as Jesus forgave me. To me this means I should freely forgive no matter how hurt I have been. Freely forgiving is scary, what if they hurt me again. This is the part that so many of us struggle with. Just because you forgive someone doesn't mean you are letting them walk all over you. Forgiveness doesn't mean you put yourself in a dangerous situation again, it means you let go of the bitterness. Forgiveness is about moving on. It is about letting go of all the bitterness that consumes you and allowing yourself to be enfolded in love and grace. You can step away from that person, but you need to forgive them. If your best friend gossips about you, or your co-worker throws you under the bus its not an excuse to be bitter. Just because I forgive you for hurting me does not mean I will allow you to do it again. I will now know what can happen and I will react differently. When I am holding onto something and cannot let it go it keeps me from truly experiencing what God wants for me. Bitterness and anger is like a rock weighing me down, when I forgive the rock just disappears and I am free again.

Luke 6: 27-28 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. The bible not only tells us to forgive, but says pray for those who would hurt you. If someone hurts you don't hold onto the bitterness, but pray for that person and forgive them. This one is really hard because how do I word a prayer for someone who I don't like? How do I word a prayer for my enemy? Now I do have some experience with this. I prayed and prayed for people who really made my life miserable. They were not nice people. I prayed for them, and something happened to me. I don't know if my reaction to them changed or if God shielded me from their cruelness, but over time I was less affected by them. I didn't notice a change in them, but I did notice a change in my circumstances. I think that God does this a lot. If you pray for your enemies you will be surprised at what God can do. Remember God can do all things!

I really like the way Chris August puts it in his song 7x70

7 times 70 times
I'll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way

7 times 70 times
There's healing in the air tonight
I'm reaching up to pull it down
Gonna wrap it all around

Also if you want you can check out the video message from my church this past Sunday all about forgiveness!

Descisions that Define You

Switchfoot
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose

If you asked my family they would tell you I am weird. If you asked my childhood youth group leader, or even friends from the church I went to as a kid they too would say I am weird. They would tell you that I make crazy choices. Some of them would criticize me for the way I follow God. There are even those out there who would judge me and find fault easily in my faith. I refuse to let anyone's conceptions of me define who I am. I am a child of God. I refuse to let any person or religion dictate the choices I will make. I will follow the word of God. I refuse to be defined by you or anything you believe. It is what I believe that matters. I believe in the absolute truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The son of God became man and died on a cross for my sins. Casting Crowns sings a beautiful song that sums up the power of it all Glorious Day

Acts 22: 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ Baptism is a new birth. It is dying to all that is old and sinful and a rebirth in Christ. It is a proclamation stating I belong to Christ! I am his! This world cannot claim me because I am not of this world. The Devil cannot have me because I am a Christian. For a Christian it is a big step. Something powerful, spiritual, and life altering.

Growing up Catholic I had been baptized as a a baby. I believe baptism is about obedience to God. Sealing that covenant that you entered into when you received salvation. There are many places in the bible where baptism is spoken of. As I read them I realized that I had a choice to make. Being baptized again won't negate anything I did as a baby. It is something powerful and spiritual that is commanded to us by scripture, and for me it was about making the choice. You see when you enter into a true relationship with God you have to meet him half-way. God will grant you salvation, but you have to ask for it. God will bless your life, but you have to follow his will for it. God will wash all your sins away and make you a new spiritual being, but you have to step out into the water. You have to choose God. He already chose you. He sent his son to prove that he chose you and now it is your turn to choose him. One way to choose God and outwardly proclaim what is spiritually happening inside of you is baptism!

Baptism is just one way that you can learn to obey God. In Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. I have heard so many people say well is it really that important that you do this? Is being obedient to God important to you? Every spiritual step you take that leads you to God is important. I don't believe the power is in the water, but in the desire to follow God's will for your life. I think that baptism opens doors to blessings you cannot imagine, and I promise you something spiritual and powerful happens. It is indescribable and you need to be there, right there in the water, to truly understand what it is.

Casting Crowns
Glorious Day

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a Virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

'Cause living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him
The grave could not keep Him from rising again

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day, oh, glorious day

Be careful where you lead!

Casting Crowns Slow Fade
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go

For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

For Pastors and churches Facebook and Social Media present a huge new frontier. It is both exciting and frightening. Imagine that now you have a voice to so many believers and non-believers who would never have heard your message. You are just one like/share away from reaching the masses. It is that easy. You can make recommendations, give a sermon, share scripture, or even invite others to church all in a few little clicks.

However, so many churches and pastors have spoken out against Facebook. Some have gone so far as to call it the tool of the devil. Facebook has been compared to the air conditioner in some ways. If you are confused by this comparison let me give you some history. Back in the day when everyone finished dinner it was too hot to sit in the house so they sat on the front porch. On porch swings and at tables. People talked to their neighbors and knew the people living next store. When air conditioners were invented it became unnecessary to go out of the hot house to find relief and the social network of front porch living was broken. Some believe that face to face real communication will be broken by the superficial relationships formed on Facebook. Hebrews 10: 25 ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The bible it would seem warns us not to give up on meeting together to encourage each other!

I am on the fence with this issue. on the one hand the bible instructs us to evangelize and share God's word! Matthew 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, What better way to spread his world than on a network so large that almost everyone on earth with a computer belongs to it right? It would be if Facebook were that simple, but people will say the darnedest things as they sit behind their computer screens. Cyber bullying is a real issue that now happens in schools across the country. Work places have now become drama filled due to the Facebook frenzy. Even churches cannot say they haven't been effected. Social media has allowed people to share their criticisms of everything from restaurants, teachers, department stores, to churches and pastors! With no end to the positive and negative criticism it becomes a balancing act for all! If you are friends with people from work you worry about what they see on your facebook. Some of us do things in our free time that we aren't proud of and Facebook has exposed us to the world!

Now don't get me wrong I am not decided on my stance; I am just the bearer of the news. Facebook can also be a tool for good. When you need a prayer, a hug, or a little pick me up from friends just log on and update your status. In an instant you have reached 10-50 people depending on the number of friends you have. The larger your friend base the greater the impact of your message. Want to share a bible verse post it on Facebook. If there is a need for service churches can easily call on hundreds of people to serve. No more phone trees or email lists simply post it on your page and ask others to share. Like wildfire you can spread a message! In terms of evangelism and the gospel that is pretty awesome.

For pastors though Facebook has another ugly side. You see as a pastor whether it is right or wrong you are held to a different standard. I know my own pastor has preached that he thinks all Christians should hold themselves to the standard that they hold their pastor to. Matthew 7: 1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you I certainly do not want to be judged in the unfair manner that I sometimes judge others. On the other hand if you are a public figure: a pastor, a teacher, a politician you have to realize that you will be judged. It doesn't make it right, or even fair. If you are a pastor and you post something on Facebook you have to realize that people who may not know your character could make a judgement based on that one comment. Your comments might be taken out of context and used against you. In addition with so many Christians who are not strong in their faith you tread a precarious line. One right step and you can draw them to Jesus forever, but one misplaced misconstrued comment may turn them away. For some people reading your comment on Facebook may be the closest they ever come to setting foot in a church.

I was so sad to hear of how Christians from one church used Facebook to judge each other. They gossiped about each other and their pastor. Proverbs 20: 19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. It turned many inside their church against each other. It turned some against their pastor. They had trusted him, but in the end a few misplaced words split the whole congregation and it all started out as a simple comment on Facebook. The only will served in this was the devils and in the end many a Christian was hurt. Pastors must tread lightly for Facebook has no body language. There are no facial expressions, and even things meant in love may be taken out of context. Additionally Facebook communication cannot take the place of real life face to face interaction. It is too easy to like something or leave a short comment, but whether celebrating or mourning it is in our human nature to need someone to lean on. You can't really lean on a computer screen!

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day

Skubula

Watch this, I dare you!


Once upon a time I was different. I didn't quite get it. I knew all the bible stories and a fair bit of scripture. I went to church every Sunday, and I sure thought that made me something. I was full of pride because I thought I knew who God was. Key word thought! Mathew 20-16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

The thing is truly knowing God shook everything I believed! I was so much like a Pharisee. I followed all the rules and found such comfort in the tradition. I knew that my church with its ancient roots and beautiful traditions was the best. I looked down on all those Weirdos with their strange beliefs! Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.I must have read that verse a million times, but it wasn't until I really took it in and understood that I became changed! I realized that if I wanted to be a follower of God I had to let go of the things of this world. I might even have to let go of my religion if it were keeping me from God!

On Easter and Christmas I looked down on all those who were not there every Sunday! How could they sit there just twice a year they were so much lowlier than us holy people who showed up every Sunday! We were the truly faithful. Once again I was like the Pharisees wondering about these sinners in my perfect church. However, when we look to scripture we find that Jesus addressed exactly this. Luke 5: 30-32 And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” ³¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Imagine that Jesus didn't go to those who were sitting in church every Sunday and say hey guys you are doing awesome! I just want to sit and tell you how awesome you are. Instead he went to tax collectors and sinners. He didn't even take them to church he went to where they were. The Pharisees found this insulting. If that weren't insulting enough to those followers of the law he started to rebuke them. He called them hypocrites. He told them that their interpretation of the law was not good enough. He called them to mercy and kindness. Matthew 23: 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ¹⁴ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. And for this alone they grew to hate him! They hated him so much that they had him seized, scourged, crowned in thorns, and crucified. Because he told them that the law would not save them. This thought scared them; it shook them to their core. I tell you just as he did the law will not save you. Your traditions will not save you.

It is one thing to know about God and another to be a Truly Devoted Follower of Christ. You can know the bible stories and even acknowledge that you believe that God exists and not have the message. You can prescribe to one religion or another but no matter how tightly you cling to it that will not save you. If your religion is a boat in the Ocean and God is the Sea; would you cling to your religion or your faith in him. Surely the sea can crush your little boat! "Religion is man's NORMAL attempt to reach God, ". "Religion leads to Pride and Despair!"Quoted from Craig Groeschel's message 4/24/2011 Christ is the way, the only way! Knowing about him won't save you, but knowing him will transform your life! Philippians 3: 8-9 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Notice the emphasis I have added to this verse. Rubbish is translated from the word skubala, a Greek word that translated literally to English means Shit. Its time to stop searching for the SKUBULA, and look to Christ. Christ is not one religion or another. He is not a denomination or a faith. He is not a tradition or a rule. Christ is the Savior. When you find Christ he will transform you too.

Its time to be weird in your faith!

A MOTHER AND HER SON....

As I think of the Crucifixion and Resurrection or our Lord Jesus; I find myself pondering his mother. John 19: 25-27 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

I can picture her standing there at the cross. Watching her baby in pain. It must have been torture for her. Knowing he would die for sins he had not committed must have been so hard. For me the pain of this mother as she watches her child is heart wrenching. To truly understand Jesus's sacrifice you must see him not only as one without sin, but also as a son whose mother watched. As a man whose friends deserted him.

Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? They say something to you that is upsetting or insulting. It catches you completely off guard and makes you feel truly betrayed. It is truly like a knife in the back. Our friends inflict the deepest wounds. These wounds are so much harder to forgive. Yet Jesus knew this was coming he even predicted it. Luke 22: 21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. He knew what was coming, he knew who would betray him, and yet he did not become angry. He did not fight it because he knew it was the only way. He surrendered himself to the punishment for our sins. Luke 23: 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots. He forgave them before it was done. In excruciating pain, having been betrayed, watching the sorrow of his friends and mother, on a cross for the crimes he did not commit he forgave them all. He forgives all!

Steven Curtis Chapman

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus