Today is Shrove Tuesday. But what is it all about? Lent is the time of spiritual preparation leading up to the main event in the Christian faith: Easter. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins. The name comes from a practice in England to “shrive” on this day: seeking and receiving forgiveness from God … Continue reading Shrove Tuesday explained
forgiveness
God’s grip on you—kind of like a sleepwalking rope
No matter how often we’re told otherwise, it’s easy to slip back into the thinking that God only loves us if we do a really, really good job of loving him back. All the time. ‘If we’re really bad,’ we think, ‘he won’t forgive us.’ ‘If we miss the mark, have an off day (or … Continue reading God’s grip on you—kind of like a sleepwalking rope
You’ve ALREADY forgiven them, right?
Many of us have memorized the Lord’s Prayer, including this line: “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The original Greek word for “trespasses” is epheilemata which could also be translated as debt, or sin. But what I want to emphasize today is how the entire sentence should actually … Continue reading You’ve ALREADY forgiven them, right?
Liberated to serve
Forgiveness. It’s a big deal. But have you ever thought about WHY God offers forgiveness? Yes, it’s because of his incredible and unceasing love for you, and because of his desire for you to have peace and joy with him in the great ever-after. But there is also an implication for THIS life. Psalm 130:4 … Continue reading Liberated to serve
Feeling gross and dense
At some point or another, all of us struggle with guilt. We do something wrong, we act poorly toward another person, we disobey one (or many) of God’s commands, we make a bad decision that results in many negative consequences. And that weighs heavily on us. Have you ever fell into the water with all … Continue reading Feeling gross and dense
A necessary step in forgiveness
Forgiving people is hard. Especially if you think they’ve done something really bad to you. I’m sure all of us can think of some way we’ve been wronged. Even though you know that Jesus values forgiveness, you’re human, so you still struggle with it. A part of the reason some of us struggle is because we … Continue reading A necessary step in forgiveness
The poisonous root of bitterness
Yesterday I said that there can be unaddressed wrongs in our past which continue to exert an influence on us. Just because something is in the past that doesn’t mean it has passed. [If you missed it, click here.] That’s why forgiveness is so important. Usually when we think about forgiveness we think about giving … Continue reading The poisonous root of bitterness
When the past hasn’t passed
Sometimes there’s something hold you back… Holding you back from moving forward in your life with a greater sense of mental freedom, peace of mind, and personal integrity before God. Quite often that “something holding you back” is some unaddressed wrong from your past. But just because something is in the past that doesn’t mean … Continue reading When the past hasn’t passed
Never too late
On Christmas Eve 1992, a couple noticed something at the end of their driveway. It was a large object wrapped in plastic. Turns out, it was a wicker chair that had been stolen 18 years earlier! Attached to it was a note which read: "To whom it may concern: Approximately 13 to 17 years ago … Continue reading Never too late
You’ve never fled or fallen too far
“God couldn’t love me. Not after what I’ve done.” I hear this sometimes. Maybe not those exact words. But some form of them. Sure, we know the words to “Jesus loves me” and, on some level, mentally agree that they’re true. But then life goes on, things happen—sometimes terrible things, and we doubt God’s love. … Continue reading You’ve never fled or fallen too far
