It's ok?

(is it really ok?....really?)

It’s interesting to see how social customs have changed over time. Men used to tip their hats to ladies for example. Now, few men wear much beyond ball caps and seldom even take them off indoors. Please and thank you were traditionally followed by “you’re welcome.” It’s more likely to hear “no problem” or some other less than sincere remark recently. Closer to home, I seem to be waging a campaign to bring forgiveness back. Conflicts can easily arise between family and friends. Apologies follow. But what then? Is it ok to just say “it’s ok?”

“Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him. Even if it's personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, 'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' forgive him." Luke 17:3-4

Frankly, the offenses we commit usually aren’t ok. To imply otherwise almost invites the offense to repeat and that’s not a healthy situation.

Even Jesus told the woman he saved from stoning to “go and sin no more.” It’s difficult at times to muster up a sincere apology. When we do it is freeing and fulfilling to know that we are really forgiven. Giving forgiveness helps the offended party move forward as well.

So forgive if you can…forgive later if you need to. Take it seriously either way!

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 32

Starting Over

(preseason, postseason..... we count the same in God's family)

The baseball playoffs have begun and fans across the country are root, root, rooting for their home team. The teams play 162 games over parts of 6 months to earn their spot in the postseason. But all the records and statistics don’t count for a thing once the playoffs start. Everyone has to start over. Everyone gets to start over. A clean slate, everyone’s equal, all the stuff from the past doesn’t matter anymore. Whether you started fast and finished slow or vice versa, it doesn’t matter how you got there; it just matters that you did.

There are plenty of times where a writer of a New Testament book, or Jesus himself, will quote verses from the Old Testament. It’s a sure sign that the verse is very important. Hebrews 8:12 and Jeremiah 31:34 is one example: “For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.”

You see, God has a “playoff” attitude towards our faith. Some people find it as children. Some people don’t get there until their deathbed. But it doesn’t matter how long it takes us to find our faith, it just matters that we do. And just like the playoffs, we all get to start over. Nothing held against us, all the records don’t count for a thing.

It’s still not too late to get on God’s postseason roster!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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