Song for Sunday: Beauty for Brokenness

I have used this prayer for shalom or wholeness as a Song for Sunday before, but we sang it in church today and it grabbed my attention. God has been challenging me to remember, even identify with, the poor. This time around it is these lyrics that caught me:

Shelter for fragile lives 

Cures for their ills 

Work for the craftsman

Trade for their skills 

Land for the dispossessed

Rights for the weakVoices to plead the cause

Of those who can't speak

                                                 Graham Kendrick
                                                 Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music,
                                                www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

                                                          Graham Kendrick, author,  talking about this song. 


And a link to the song itself: 

What has God been calling your attention to lately?

How are you called to help the poor?

CYC (Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park) is a two week leadership development program for high school students. It meets August 2-15, 2015 on the beautiful southern coast of Maine and is open to all teens ages 14 and up who have completed at least eighth grade. Check it out!

Thoughts on a Prayer Service

I attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey yesterday. Pretty amazing, eh? I am very blessed to have this 10 days of visiting family and seeing important historical and literary places in England with my son. We will then, with my husband,  get to visit family all over England with a few more educational trips thrown in.

This amazing blessing shows how much I have. Which brings me back to Sung Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

The general confession from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer was read in unison. It goes like this:

O God, Our Father, , we have sinned against in thee in thought, word, and deed:. we have not loved thee with all our heart; we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. Have mercy upon us, we beseech thee; cleanse us from our sins; and help us to overcome our faults; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Later in the service we heard this reading from the New Testament:

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ²⁴ So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
²⁵ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
²⁷ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ²⁸ for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
²⁹ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
³⁰ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”



The juxtaposition struck me, especially in light of my "wealth." (I am a lower middle class American by income.Globally, that's a lot of wealth.) From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Time for prayer and loving my neighbor more.





CYC is a two week conference for high school teens on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. August 2-15. Check it out here.

Song for Sunday: We Shall Overcome (for Emmanuel AME Church)

There are no words. 

Even if my voice could reach them, there is nothing I could say that would comfort the members of the Emmanual AME Church. Were I there, I could do no more than stand with them as they mourned fathers, mothers, children, pastors and Christian brothers and sisters. Sometmes that's the best thing to do. 

I am amazed at the faith of these people. Even the secular press has noticed how unshakeable it is. These people have forgiven - freely and fully, it seems- a man who, after being welcomed by them,  committed a hate crime against them, who hurled racial invectives as he killed them, who seemed intent on starting a race war between blacks and whites. The congregation of this church will not help him succeed in that last. 

Just as I have no words of comfort, I have no song of comfort to offer. So, for today's Song for Sunday, I turn to a song of hope, the song that rang through the Civil Rights Movement, a song that still speaks of solidarity. Join me in this prayer and sing with me, and those in this link:

 "We shall overcome, 

We shall overcome, 

Deep in my heart, I do believe,

We shall overcome someday."

God grant us peace. 

Why Forgive?

For Christians, the answer to "why forgive?" is easy. At least easy to recite.  We forgive (or should) because God forgave us. We forgive (or should) because God will forgive us in the same way we forgive others. We forgive (or should) because we are commanded to.


But there are other reasons to forgive that apply to those of any religion or none.


It is good for our mental health.

It helps us to be more rational and calm.

 Source: Forgiveness from Psychology and It's Practice.

It's good for our physical health.

Apparently, those who forgive have lower incidents of high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The Healing Power of Forgiveness from IDEA Health and Wellness

It makes us happier.

Forgiving gives us peace of mind, makes it easier to relax and lets us enjoy life more. 

Source: Forgive and... Feel Happier from  Greater Good.

It allows for better relationships.

It helps us to love each other well and allows for strong friendships, marriages and fellowships.

Source: Forgiveness and Relationships by Rodney Buchanan

For all these reasons and more, forgiveness is important.


What are your reasons for forgiving?

Forgiveness: How?

Of all the "wh" questions, this is the one I struggle with most when it comes to forgiveness. I am a practical-minded person. I want concrete steps. The Bible doesn't get into detail about those, but it does point us in the right direction. There are other resources that I have found give good insight.

One, I just found. It's Wiki-Hows "How to Forgive." I like their suggestion of sending a blessing to the offender whenever the hurt they caused comes to mind. This can be through prayer and entirely unknown to them or you can wish them well with a card or an email, whatever is appropriate to your situation.

The idea to "stop telling the story" of your hurt to yourself or others is also a good one, I think. Rehearsing the details is unhelpful in most cases.


Another idea came via our church newsletter. This is adapted from what a member wrote. Put the name of a person you need to forgive into this prayer. "Forgive me my debts as I forgive____________." Asking God to start the process of forgiveness in us is also helpful.


What steps have you found work in the  process of forgiveness?



Previous posts in this series: Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes, Forgiveness - Definition,  Forgiveness: The Who of It, Forgiveness:When?, Forgiveness: Where does it come from?

This is my 23rd post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

I have learned a lot about forgiveness at the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, a  two-week experience of Christian community for high school teens. Held every August, for 100 years so far, on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. Check it out!

Forgiveness: Where does it come from?

"So the next time someone wrongs you, don’t think, “I’d better forgive them if I want God to forgive me.” There’s no power in that. Instead, remember what Jesus has already done for you. Mull it over. Appreciate his gift of forgiveness."

This quote is from "Where does forgiveness come from?"  A blog post by Paul Ellis. He's written some other stuff about forgiveness, too.


Paul contends that forgiveness comes from God.. He uses the the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant to show us that forgiveness starts with God. This is a parable about Heaven and how it transcends our lives.

No one is perfect, We all need forgiveness -- I know that I do. But God freely forgives those who ask. In this parable, we see that Jesus when we truly understand that we need and have received forgiveness, we overflow with mercy and forgiveness toward others. God's forgiveness is a gift and it should change us.

Have you experienced God's forgiveness?




Previous posts in this series: Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes, Forgiveness - Definition,  Forgiveness: The Who of It, Forgiveness:When?






This is my 20th post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.


I have learned a lot about forgiveness at the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, a  two-week experience of Christian community for high school teens. Held every August, for 100 years so far, on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. Check it out!

Forgiveness: When?

When should I forgive?

Well, I suppose those with the deepest faith and greatest spiritual maturity forgive right away. Jesus and Stephen forgave the people who were killing them as it was happening. Maybe that's what we are supposed to do so.

Maybe. Probably.

But I haven't met anyone yet who can forgive more than a simple oversight or misunderstanding that quickly.

So when do we forgive?


As soon as we can.


Sometimes, that means the same hour or the same day. When deep hurts are involved, it could be a process that takes years. I have seen that happen. It has happened in my life. I wish I could do better.


The sooner we forgive, though, the sooner we reap the benefits: spiritual freedom, better health, stronger relationships.


Check this out: Why Forgiving Others Makes Life Better for you.



God bless you in your journey to forgiveness.


This is my 16th post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Besides allowing us to psychologically lighten our burden, studies show that forgiving brings about physical health benefits as well such as lowering our levels of stress and blood pressure. Forgiving may even benefit those who we feel are responsible for our pain, even if we only forgive them in our mind (David Wilcock’s book The Source Field Investigations explores evidence that showering love and forgiveness in our minds to our perceived enemies may actually help them to reduce any guilt they may be holding on to.) - See more at: http://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/why-forgiving-others-makes-life-better-for-you/#sthash.LBj7F2VC.dpuf

Besides allowing us to psychologically lighten our burden, studies show that forgiving brings about physical health benefits as well such as lowering our levels of stress and blood pressure. Forgiving may even benefit those who we feel are responsible for our pain, even if we only forgive them in our mind (David Wilcock’s book The Source Field Investigations explores evidence that showering love and forgiveness in our minds to our perceived enemies may actually help them to reduce any guilt they may be holding on to.) - See more at: http://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/why-forgiving-others-makes-life-better-for-you/#sthash.LBj7F2VC.dpuf

Forgive: What Should I Forgive?

What should I forgive? Short answer: any offenses.

None of us is beyond God's mercy, so noone should be beyond ours.

So do we forgive someone who steals from us?

Someone who rapes?

Someone who harms our children?

Compared to those the everyday offenses of forgetting to do the laundry, leaving the gas tank empty or spreading rumors seem tame.

God says:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.   (Romans 12: 17-21)

We need to let God handle things and give us perspective.  Take gossip. Someone says something unkind and spreads it around.  Stand before God. Realize the things you have done and what this person could really have said about you. What they are saying becomes small by comparison.Practice in the small things, so that if you ever face a tougher situation, you'll be ready.


Trust God that he knows how to help you and that he will. After all, he forgave his murderers.

Some more reading:

Forgiving Little Things

Forgiving a Rapist

Forgiving a Murderer (When it's your son)



On this one-year anniversary of the kidnapping of the scbool girls from Chibok, Nigeria here are statements of forgiveness in unimaginably hard situations.

Forgive them, say girls who escaped Boko Haram

Nigeria: Did You Forgive?



What examples of forgiveness have you seen?


Previous posts in this series: Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes, Forgiveness - Definition, Forgiveness: The Who of It.


This is my 13th post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Forgiveness -- Definition

Forgiveness

Part 2 -- Definition

It's good near the beginning of a discussion to define terms. 

Dictionary.com defines "forgive" this way:

verb (used with object), forgave, forgiven, forgiving.

1.

to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.

2.

to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).

3.

to grant pardon to (a person).

4.

to cease to feel resentment against:

to forgive one's enemies.

5.

to cancel an indebtedness or liability of:

to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

verb (used without object), forgave, forgiven, forgiving.

6.

to pardon an offense or an offender.

 Strong's Concordance offers these alternate ways to translate the Hebrew and Greek words
Forgive --to let go, give up a debt, to remit,to take, take away, carry off,

 To look further into Biblical words for forgive, try here.

nasa 

aphiemi 

But in practical terms, what does it mean to forgive?

When we are harmed by someone, we need to let go of anger and not hold anything against that person.
 Easier said that done, more often than not, but very freeing.

Check out these blogs and articles for more on defining forgiveness.


The Positive Way: Forgiveness as the Key to the Future
Family Life: What it Means to Forgive
About Religion: What is Forgiveness?
Nichols State University Counseling Center: What Does it Mean to Forgive?

We'll discuss the practical aspects of forgiving in the posts ahead. I'll be aiming for Tuesdays and Fridays for this series.

How do you define forgiveness?



Part one of this series: Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes




Post six for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge. Hope you'll forgive me for being a day behind!

Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes

 Forgiveness

Maundy Thursday seems like a good day to start a series on forgiveness, so let's begin.

I intend for this series to a discussion. I am not the expert or even an expert on forgiveness. I don't forgive perfectly. I need to learn more about how forgiveness plays out in practical terms in a person's life.. specifically my own. 

So, I invite you to be a fellow student with me. Let us wrestle with ideas, share insights, pray for each other.  

 For today, here are some quotes about forgiveness that we can reflect upon:

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
                                                                                                                               ~C.S. Lewis 

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
                                                                                                             ~ Matthew 6: 14-15
 
“Dumbledore says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.”  
                                                                                                                               ~J.K. Rowling

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”  
                                                                                     ~Martin Luther King, Jr.


“The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity. It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved among people who possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul to do either -- or both -- when needed?” 
                                                                                          ~Gordon B. Hinkley

“When you forgive, you love. And when you love, God’s light shines upon you.”
                                                                                               ~Jon Krakauer


"If 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

“Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all people love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour increasingly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.”
                                                                                             ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen


"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
                                                                                  ~Matthew 6:12 

"If you don't forgive, you'll eventually have no friends left."
                                                                                  ~Anonymous


Which quote catches your attention? Do you have a favorite quote about forgiveness?

 

Bible verses from New International Version. Used by permission.
Quotes chosen from Good Reads. 
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One place I learned about forgiveness was the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park (CYC). CYC is a two week experience of Christian community and a discipleship training program for high school youth. This year's conference is August 2-15 on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. Registration is open. For more information, click here.

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This is my second post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge. Thirty posts in thirty days!