Forgiveness: Focus on the Family

Psalm 133:1-3
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!
It's like costly anointing oil
flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron's beard,
flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It's like the dew on Mount Hermon
flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that's where God commands the blessing,
ordains eternal life.

Proverbs 17:9
Overlook an offense and bond a friendship;
fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend!

From the moment we decide to become a follower of Jesus Christ, we are born into a spiritual family. Even if your name isn’t in the database, and the member box next to it is not checked off, you are still a member of the church family. There are no only children in the family of God.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that we are always one big happy family. We don’t stop being sinners the moment we begin believing in Christ. Yet, as difficult and challenging as family can be, we have a mandate to work it out. When there are breakdowns in our relationships, walking in an attitude of forgiveness makes it possible for us to repair and re-build stronger than before. When we do this, we make a powerful statement to the world.

Issues that Affect Our Willingness to Forgive
1. We want someone first to take responsibility for the harm or hurt they caused.
2. Sometimes we want someone to understand the amount of pain caused.
3. Sometimes the people to forgive are “invisible” or unknown.
4. In early stages of healing, the pain is still to great to “release” the offender.
5. Sometimes we want the offender to suffer for a while- because we have.
6. We struggle with whether offering forgiveness takes the deed too lightly- or betrays a cause or person.

Biblical Forgiveness: Presuppositions
• Retaliation does not satisfy; it multiplies injury and alienation.
• Unresolved forgiveness injures and debilitates the offended.
• Forgiveness assumes taking anger, pain and sorrow seriously.
• Forgiveness is a process, not only an act of the will (first step).
• Forgiveness is an expression of strength (not weakness).
• Processing forgiveness creates an experience of freedom
• Forgiving need not depend on acknowledgement or accountability
• Initiative in the journey of forgiveness is critical to reconciliation.

Practical Steps to Forgiveness
• Recognize that we are sinners in need of forgiveness.
• Make the choice to forgive others.
• Believe and experience Christ’s loving forgiveness in your own life.
• Ask Christ to help you overcome negative thoughts that are blocking our ability to forgive.
• Trust the Holy Spirit to empower you with the right attitude to forgive those who have hurt you.
• Trust that God will judge all the wrongs in the world.
• When struggling with forgiving others, talk with someone you respect and trust to give

The Celts and Prayer, Part 1

Throughout Scripture, festivals and feast days form a backdrop for the biblical narrative. Even today, holidays reflect the unique intersection of the sacred and the secular. When we understand the origin of these observances, it becomes possible to have meaningful conversations that can open the door to discussions about faith.

St. Patrick’s Day: A Brief History
Today is the day that commemorates the death a man named Patrick who born in the late 4th century. In many ways, Patrick is a larger than life figure. What really fascinates me about his story is that he was an ordinary person, living a fairly ordinary life. But, somewhere along the line, a seed was planted in him; and because there was good soil, it grew and multiplied. Initially, there was no way to know that this would happen. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents. Historians say that there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family.

In the meantime, Julius Caesar had withdrawn from Britain. Without the protection of being a part of the Roman Empire, Britain was vulnerable to attack. As a result, the Celts overtook the country, raided Patrick’s family estate, and took him captive. For the next six years, Patrick was a slave in Ireland, and worked as a shepherd. While tending sheep and living in danger and isolation, Patrick had a conversion experience in which he became a devout follower of Jesus Christ.

Eventually, Patrick escaped and went back to Britain. According to his writings, he heard the voice of the Lord which instructed him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Before returning to Ireland, Patrick spent fifteen years training and preparing for his life's work. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Celts to Christianity.

Rung 1: READ
Luke 11:5-11
Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.  

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Rung 2: MEDITATE
Use your imagination to enter the scene. It’s the middle of the night. Some visitors have come and you have nothing to offer them. The stores are closed. You throw on a robe, and run over to your neighbor in your pajamas and slippers. You bang on the door. Lights come on, dogs start barking. There is a commotion behind the door, but no one opens it.

• What other things do you see, hear or feel?
• What are you thinking, and what emotions are you experiencing?
• Read the passage again slowly. Repeat and ponder whatever words or phrases from your reading strike you.

Let’s take a moment to look at one of the primary images- the bread. Bread is food and life for us all. When Israel was in the dessert, God provided manna or bread from heaven. The city Bethlehem means “House of Bread” in Hebrew. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life". In Scripture, famine or lack of bread meant physical as well as spiritual death.

Rung 3: PRAY & CONTEMPLATE
This is where we listen for God’s voice within the text.

Verses 5-6
• What pressing issues in your life are represented by a lack of bread?
• Is there anyone in your life who has been on a long journey, and is looking to you for hospitality?

Verses 7-8
• What are the logical arguments, circumstances or past experiences that cause you to make excuses for why the door will not be answered?

Verses 9-10
• Jesus is speaking directly to you. What thoughts or feelings come to mind when you hear his words to you:
1. Ask!
2. Seek!
3. Knock!

Verses 11-13
• What are some good gifts that you would like to see manifest in your life?
• Do you Trust that God will give you what you need?
• Do you believe that He is the giver of good gifts?

Rung 4: DISCUSS

Rung 5: WITNESS IN THE WORLD

How is God inspiring you to take bold action for yourself due to a “ lack of bread”?

In what way is God challenging you to take bold action on behalf of others?

Lectio Divina

Chew on this.
Lectio Divina is Latin for “Divine Reading”. It is the spiritual exercise of praying or singing the Scriptures slowly and contemplatively.

Ruminate: ru•mi•nate
1. To chew the cud, as a ruminant.
2. To chew again or over and over.
3. To meditate on; ponder or muse.

While the word ruminate may not be familiar, the activity of ruminating is. It is what we do when we worry or fret over something. We re-play arguments or hurts in our mind, over and over; we imagine what we would say to the person who has wronged us; we mutter and mumble to ourselves saying, “I can’t believe she had the nerve to say that to me!” We imagine all kinds of terrible scenarios. This is ruminating in a negative way.

Instead of running this type of internal dialogue, we should recall the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

It Makes Me Wonder…
You may have thought that the band Led Zeppelin came up with the phrase, “Stairway to Heaven”. Actually, it was a 12th century European monk named Guigo de Castro who described Lectio Divina by this term. In his work, Guigo outlined a form of meditative pray that was analogous to the rungs of a ladder.

Rung 1: READ (Lectio)
Rung 2: MEDITATE (Meditatio)
Rung 3: PRAY (Oratio) & CONTEMPLATE (Contemplatio)
Rung 4: DISCUSS (Collatio)
Rung 5: WITNESS IN THE WORLD (Operatio)

Fast!

STEP 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule:For maximum spiritual benefit, try to set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. If you are married, try to begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God. Longer periods of time with the Lord in prayer and study of His Word are often better spent alone.

Morning
• Begin your day in praise and worship.
• Read and meditate on God's Word, preferably on your knees.
• Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you. Pray for God’s vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.
• Ask God to use you. Watch and discover how you can influence, your family, your church, your work/ school, your community, etc.

Noon
• Return to prayer and God's Word.
• Take a short prayer walk.
• Intercede on behalf of your city and nation’s leaders; pray for the unreached of the world; pray for your particular needs and your family.

Evening
• Get alone for an unhurried time of "seeking His face."
• If possible, find time to meet with others who are also fasting.
• Limit the t.v. or other diversions that may hinder your spiritual focus.

Daniel Fast: Get Set...

STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Repentance is the foundation of fasting and prayer. Un-confessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

• Confess all sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance, and accept God's forgiveness.

• Forgive those who have hurt you, and seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended.

• Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.

• Focus on God’s attributes: His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, etc.

• Expect God to do something great.

• Don’t be surprised if you face obstacles or experience opposition.

STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically

Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Those who are elderly, under twelve, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, have a history of eating disorders, have a medical condition, have a cold, the flu or some other temporary illness, or take certain medications should not fast from food. Since we are starting with a partial fast, the physical impact should be minimal; however, planning in advance will allow you to maximize your ability to pay full attention to the Lord in prayer.

• Begin limiting caffeine intake, and minimize high-fat and sugary foods. Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness.

• You may also experience mental discomforts like impatience, crankiness and anxiety.

• Rest as much as your schedule will permit.

• Drink plenty of water. If you experience hunger pains or headaches, increase your liquid intake.

Daniel Fast- Get Ready...

In preparation for our fast 2/15-2/17, I am posting some helpful hints that will hopefully make your fast effective.

STEP 1: Set Your Objective• The first question you should ask yourself is, “Why am I fasting?” Are you fasting for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems or for special grace to handle a difficult situation?

• Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment• We will participate in a partial fast that is based upon the fast of the prophet Daniel (Dan.1:1-13). For 3 days, we will only eat fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and water.

Other things to consider during your fast:
• What physical or social activities you will restrict?

• How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word?

Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life's pressures tempt you to abandon it.