Forgiveness

Last night our family hosted our “Peacemakers Study” at our house.

At the end of watching the video, we discussed “forgiveness”. After watching the video, I realized just how much forgiveness impacts someone’s life.
A couple years ago, my brother and I had a fight, and I was so mad at him. I don’t normally hold a grudge for very long, but I was so upset with what “he” did, that I didn't even realize what “I” did. Later that night as I was picking him up from his police explorers, a song came on the radio called, “7 times 70” by Chris August. The song went on to talk about forgiving someone over and over again. I started to cry, as I realized that it wasn't him, it was “me”. God brought it to my heart to forgive my brother for what he did, but to
repent for what I did. 

I looked at Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary for the definition of forgiveness. Here is what I found:

     FORGIVENESS:

1. The act of forgiving; the pardon of an offender, by which he is considered and treated as not guilty. The forgiveness of enemies is a Christian duty.2. The pardon or remission of an offense or crime; as the forgiveness of sin or of injuries.3. Disposition to pardon; willingness to forgive. And mild forgiveness intercedes to stop the coming blow.4. Remission of a debt, fine or penalty.

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’  So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’  But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I
had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to
the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly
Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not
forgive his brother from your heart.”

Courage

In every man theirs a part of their life that wants to “protect”. Recently, my little brother, Elijah, came into my room and said, “You can’t go out there! There’s a monster out there, and I have to go kill it so that he doesn't hurt you…” With a smile I said, “okay, you go do that, and you tell me when it’s safe to come out.” With a huff and puff, he said, “okay!” And he stomped out with the urge to protect me.
It’s funny isn't it?... even the little boys enjoy “protecting”. In our family we say, “You need to Protect and Respect girls.”  It used to be that way… everyone knows the story of the titanic… woman and children were first. Today it’s a“first come, first serve” basis. A lot of men have lost the vision to protect and respect. Thankfully, my parents have brought us kids up to serve others before ourselves! … It’s not always easy, but we try.In the Bible we see over and over again how we are supposed to be strong and courageous. There will be time when courage will come easily to us, and there will be other times that it will be hard. 

courageous
Brave; bold; daring; intrepid; hardy to encounter difficulties and dangers;
adventurous; enterprising.Be thou strong and courageous. Joshua 1.
I'm sure most of you,  if not all of you have seen the movie, "Courageous".
 I thought I'd post the lyrics to their song.We were made to be courageous We were made to lead the way We could be the generation That finally breaks the chains We were made to be courageous We were made to be courageous We were warriors on the front lines Standing, unafraid But now we're watchers on the sidelines While our families slip away Where are you, men of courage? You were made for so much more Let the pounding of our hearts cry We will serve the lord We were made to be courageous And we're taking back the fight We were made to be courageous And it starts with us tonight The only way we'll ever stand Is on our knees with lifted hands Make us courageous Lord, make us courageous This is our resolution Our answer to the call We will love our wives and children We refuse to let them fall We will reignite the passion That we buried deep inside May the watchers become warriors Let the men of god arise We were made to be courageous And we're taking back the fight We were made to be courageous And it starts with us tonight The only way we'll ever stand Is on our knees, with lifted hands Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous In the war of the mind I will make my stand (seek justice. love mercy. walk humbly with your god) In the battle of the heart and the battle of the hand
 (seek justice. love mercy. walk humbly with your god)

The Prodigal

A couple weeks ago, my siblings and I watched a Christian Comedian movie. At the end of the movie, they talk about the Prodigal son. I didn't think about this before, but they said that those time that we feel like God has moved away from us,
it was “us” that moved away from Him. 

If we think about it...

God “waits” for us. If “we” seek, “we” will find, if “we” knock, the door will be opened...

I found a couple verses that I thought would be helpful.

Deuteronomy 4:29

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul."

Matthew 7:7-8

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Luke 11:9-10

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks,

it will be opened."

All of us have gone through trials, and all of us have had the chance to either move away from God, or toward him. Whatever the reason for our trial, God was there the entire time. He never moved away from us! He's been faithful throughout everything!

All of us know the story of the Prodigal son. Maybe we've experienced it first hand, or we've known someone that has. Whatever the case may be, remember that we need to "seek", "knock", and "find". God's there in the midst of everything; He's just waiting for "us" to open our heart.

MY HEART, YOUR HOME- Christy Nockels 

Come and make my heart Your home 

Come and be everything I am and all I know Search me through and through ‘Till my heart becomes a home for You

CHORUS

A home for You, Lord 

A home for You, Lord Let everything I do
 open up A door for You to come through And that my heart would be a place Where You want to be…

CHORUS

You are my portion, filling up everything You are the fortune,
that’s causing my heart to sing That it’s amazing… That You could make Yourself at home with me

Finding Joy in the Little Things

This last week my brothers were hunting with my dad and uncle. So, it was just us girls and Elijah at home. My mom and I had talked one morning about finding joy in the little things. She said that even though she only gets 4 hours of sleep, (she has insomnia) that she should be grateful that she even got any sleep. She said, “Last night when I played the game with you girls, even though I was really tired, I realized that I should be joyful that I have 2 girls to play a game with; and that we can laugh in the little things.” My dad had talked to my mom the last night that they were out, saying the day was horrible because a certain brother of mine kept complaining. My mom then told him, “Yes, but be grateful that you got to go hunting with 3 of your sons, and your brother!” Sometimes we don’t look at the little things in life that we should be joyful in. Maybe, late night talks with your parents, watching a movie with your siblings, playing games with family/friends. All of these, we should be joyful in, that we had the time with them to do something like that. 

How often do we complain?
Start looking at the little things in life and be grateful.
Instead of being bummed that my little brother is growing up waaaaay to quickly. I should be grateful and joyful that I had/have time to let him be one of my best friends, and the one
that he comes to when he cries. J

Sometimes it’s hard to look at the “good” things in life. Instead of looking at a little boy who spilled milk all over the floor and being angry at him, look at the, “silly mess” that he
made and laugh a little.

Like my mom said, “even when you’re tired, and you feel like yelling at everyone and/or everything, FIND the joy in the little things.” J