Today I read the devotional entitled: Forgiveness, posted 09/29/08. I thought is was very well written and based on the response deserved a place under discussion. Since I'm not a facilitator, I can't place a "click here" button to take you directly to the site. Maybe someone else will furnish that. I feel the topic is worthy of discussion, thus, the creation. I noticed that the forgiveness of one's self was not mentioned. So, we can start with that. How important do you think it is to forgive yourself?

10/21/2008 10:48:39 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

There is now a link to this discussion under your comment. Thanks for thinking of this, it's an excellent idea. Before we get too far into a discussion of forgiving oneself, I did want to mention that this will be the topic for the next devotional. I think I'd better hurry up and get it written! Perhaps I can do so before this weekend. I thought there would be some downtime at the conference, but there is none at all, especially when traveling with a precocious four-month old.

I do hope that some of the people who commented on the devotional will join us here so we can help them, listen to them and pray for them.

10/22/2008 7:46:26 AM by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

Thanks Arsin,

I know you're not in the office right now, so this was indeed above and beyond.

10/22/2008 5:05:41 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

John Eldredge writes about the experience of having God tell Him something just before he needs to know it, so that John often asks, "Oh? Am I going to need this soon? Ok, thanks, I'll try to remember that."

I can relate. The devotional I wrote about forgiveness? Well, now I need it. I just found out that a group I work with has been back stabbed and betrayed. The betrayal is going to cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am seething with rage and bitterness. I want to make them pay for this! I want to bring them down and expose them for what they are!

And in the midst of this, I hear God telling me, "...so now you know why you wrote that devotional. Go back and read it, and apply it now."

Ok God. I will try my best. Thanks for trying to give me a clue that I was going to need this. Thank you for your grace, and for the fact that you forgive me when I make you this mad.

10/23/2008 9:09:20 PM by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

Arsin,

Anger aside, revenge is not the issue. "Vengence is mine, says the Lord. I will repay." Ephesians 5:11-14 says, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible." These are the evil days Jesus warned us of. Pay close attention to everything the Holy Spirit impresses upon you now. The money will be restored. Stay focused. Keep praising, giving and serving. God is faithful. He will always give you more than enough to show the world His faithfulness. Keeping you in my prayers.

10/23/2008 9:39:22 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Thanks, Mrs. Piggy. I'm beginning to feel more peace about it as I struggle to let it go. This forgiveness thing really does work when you use it! Thanks for your prayers.

10/23/2008 9:56:57 PM by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

It can be a struggle, but then anything worth having will be. We, as humans tend to think, "I'll forgive, but I won't forget." That's not true. When we really forgive, we forget. Nobody remembers EVERY hurt and/or dissappointment they've ever experienced, right?

I woke up with these words in my spirit this morning: "If God be for us, who can stand against us?"

Of course this is from Romans 8:31. Since I have not read those words in a while, I know it was the Holy Spirit doing as the Bible said He would: bring the Word of God back to me.

10/24/2008 8:36:28 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Hi my name is Stkitts. Please Pray for me i am having a hardtime each day i have lost my son 2007 and i don''t know what to do please me each day i will cry and and cry thats all i can do, i go to Court every other Month and see the killer in the box looking at then asking my why son he was only 11 years old what could he have possible do to them,they saw him there with other kids there. I know god say to forgive and am trying so hard to forgive then but it hurt so much all my life my family don''t care about me and sitll don't most of all my mom who soposely should be here for me is not i all way beleive in god and still do, i just need someone to be there for me when they have little time. I have a husband but he is not living me i wish he was here but you can't force any one to be if they don't want to be here Please help me its feel like i don't want to here any more.God please me me as i pray to you each and everyday, morning, and night that it for know. thank Sign stkitts

11/25/2008 1:49:59 PM by Stkitts, Member of Delve into Jesus since 11/25/2008

Hi my name is Stkitts. Please Pray for me i am having a hardtime each day i have lost my son 2007 and i don''t know what to do please me each day i will cry and and cry thats all i can do, i go to Court every other Month and see the killer in the box looking at then asking my why son he was only 11 years old what could he have possible do to them,they saw him there with other kids there. I know god say to forgive and am trying so hard to forgive then but it hurt so much all my life my family don''t care about me and sitll don't most of all my mom who soposely should be here for me is not i all way beleive in god and still do, i just need someone to be there for me when they have little time. I have a husband but he is not living me i wish he was here but you can't force any one to be if they don't want to be here Please help me its feel like i don't want to here any more.God please me me as i pray to you each and everyday, morning, and night that it for know. thank Sign stkitts

11/25/2008 1:50:04 PM by Stkitts, Member of Delve into Jesus since 11/25/2008

Sister Stkitts,

Jesus is with you every minute of every day. He sees your pain and understands. He was nailed to a cross, pierced in His side, ridiculed and spat upon and He said, "Forgive them Father, because they don't know what they are doing". Please know that the man who killed your son didn't know what he was doing. He was decieved by the enemy, satan. I will pray that God heals your heart so that you may forgive and be forgiven. Pain blinds us to the truth. It takes time to heal from this sort of pain. But, God is able to heal you immediately.

11/25/2008 6:59:34 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Hi Stkitts - I can't help thinking your son would not want your life to be miserable for another moment, much less be destroyed by this. There is life in forgiveness and that could be a beautiful tribute to your son. You've made the decision to be like God and forgive others; keep asking God to grant you the ability to forgive you will be given the peace you need. I'm sorry this tragedy is on you but I hope you feel comfort in knowing this pain can bring you closer to God. He definitely knows what it feels like to have a son murdered. I will continue praying for you.

12/3/2008 6:28:26 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007