There is nothing like the forgiveness of the Lord. It’s like the aura of light and cleansing in a great palace. It’s overwhelming. It even has an aroma. Pleasant and soft and clean. Thank you for your forgiveness. I want to live there. There is safety and protection there. But it is more than that, it has blessing and provision in it. It is palatable, I can feel it and taste it’s goodness. Forgiveness is given, it cannot be earned. Forgiveness is a way of life – very hard to describe but very real. There is no guile in forgiveness. When forgiven, I cannot take offense because the two are incompatible. When forgiven of all evil I have perpetrated, how could I take offense? I automatically forgive because I have been forgiven. Forgiveness is perceived as unconditional love. I cannot take offense at the ones I love. Love brings forgiveness and forgiveness brings love. They go hand in hand. When we know we are forgiven then we know we are loved. It is peaceful, there is comfort there. It is restful. There is gentle power in forgiveness. It is not a power that crushes, it is gentle. It washes and cleanses softly but thoroughly. A forgiven heart is a soft heart. It is kind and honest. It is deep and has integrity. Forgiveness is a treasure.
Divine Decisions
I know God better than I know myself. How can I say that? Because I know how good He is and how faithful. Me in my humanity, not so much. I have more confidence in Him and what He would do. His ways are higher than my ways. Then should I never make a decision?
Of course not. I make decisions, however I am cognizant of the the small voice somewhere between a whisper and a thought that stops me and shows me a better way. Some people call it conscience. I call it hearing God.
Painting
It’s OK to Disagree
Choose your battles carefully. Only go to the mat when the issue is critical and you are sure you are on the right side of the issue.
Men and women died in the Civil War because they were willing to die for the way they felt about slavery and states rights. Hundreds of thousands lost their lives because they thought one human could own another.
Parents have lost children when they carped about a clean room and pushed their teenager into despair.
Executive sales managers have lost stellar employees over commission cuts or territory disputes. Be sure you are on the right side of the fence before you take an unbending position. Picture yourself in their shoes before you take a strong stand. Always sleep on it before you go to war. There will be casualties in a war.
Reasons-Marriages-Last
See the short video regarding marriage. We are over 43 years and met on a blind date.
Words-Are-Powerful
The words we speak have enormous power to tear down or to build up. Children are affected the rest of their lives. They internalize words like “You will never amount to anything.” or ” That picture you drew was awesome”. We also speak to ourselves and either curse or build up. “I can’t sing” or “Good things are happening all around me”. Also, others are affected by our words whether they hear them or not. “You drive like an idiot, you need a ticket” or “She looks depressed, a great circumstance will change her life today”. Choose your words carefully, your words are powerful.
Decisions
Change-My-Character
Identify one thing if changed would make me a better person.
Words-Are-Powerful
Words can tear down or build up. For example you can tell a child “You will never amount to anything” or you can say “I see you have an ear for music.”
When you see a penny on the sidewalk you can pick it up and say “Money is coming to me today.” Or you can walk on by and think “I’m too good to stop and pick up something so insignificant.”
You can tell your spouse “You are amazing and you look stunning.” or you can say “I can tell you didn’t get much done today.”
The words you choose are more powerful than you can imagine.
Taking-Back-What-I-Said
Taking back words is like putting toothpaste back in a tube. It can’t be done. Words are very powerful. Think before you open your mouth. If you don’t have something positive to say be quiet. You will be considered wise for it.