I thought this was nice

[rena]

Freedom Through Forgiveness

Today's Scripture

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37, NKJV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Did you know that the ability to forgive others is a gift from God? The Bible tells us that if we don't forgive others, we cannot be forgiven. Unforgiveness blocks the ability for God to work in your life. When you choose to forgive, you are choosing God's way and opening the door for Him to heal your life. Forgiveness does not mean that what the other person did was right, or that you even have to get back into a relationship with that person. Forgiveness simply releases the debt they owe you so that God can release the debt you owed Him. Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you if there is any unforgiveness blocking His blessing in your life. Ask Him to show you more about this gift of forgiveness so that you can walk in the freedom and blessing God has for you today.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank you for the gift of forgiveness that opens the door for you to move in my heart. Search my heart today and help me to truly forgive others. Fill me with your love and peace, and thank you for forgiving me so that I can be free. In Jesus' Name, amen.

[rena]

I have always been bad at not forgiving...I am working on that.....But the forgetting part is a whole different story......

[catsmeow]

I think it's pretty safe to say that most people have trouble with forgiveness. No one likes to be hurt.

In struggling with this issue off and on, and in looking at it from a psychological standpoint, we have to ask ourselves why we hold onto the unforgiveness and the inability to forget. My personal opinion and my own experience tell me that the reason we hang onto it is twofold: One, by not forgiving or forgetting, we are putting up an emotional barrier that in some ways protects us from getting hurt by the same person and/or situation again; two, by focusing on the hurts given to us by others, we don't have to look within ourselves at our own shortcomings.

There's a really good book written by a local author and professor, Terry Hargrave, called "Forgiving the Devil." I probably need to look at it again, myself.

[rena]

Like I said, I am working on it...I have always been one to hold a grudge and that is not right. I realize that. I am working on it and I think if everyone did the same we all would be a happier people. Another issue I deal with from time to time is jealousy. That one is a biggie for me......Jealousy and unforgiveness will be what I work on. Those are the 2 things that can rip a hole in your heart and just make you and everyone around you miserable....

[catsmeow]

Well, girl, at least there's two things we can agree on. ;D

[rena]

OMG that is scary....... ;D

[catsmeow]

No, actually, make that three things. That's a funny joke you posted ...

[rena]

I got it in an email.....

[rena]

catsmeow said:

No, actually, make that three things. That's a funny joke you posted ...

No actually we have 4....I love Reese myself.....

[catsmeow]

Really? She's awesome. (And it looks like she and hubby are getting back together, speaking of forgiveness.)

[rena]

Hubby gets mad because I watch Legally Blonde "everytime" it comes on.... ;D

[catsmeow]

I watched both of them again this week ... not sure anymore how many times I've seen the first one. It always puts me in a good mood. Men just don't know what's funny.

Funny exchange between Elle and Warner:

Warner: You got into Harvard Law?
Elle: What? …Like it’s hard?

My other favorite.
Elle about Vivian, Warner's fiance:
"She's not completely unfortunate-looking."

Yeah, I write these down ... they make me laugh.

[rena]

My favorite is Paulette.......

[catsmeow]

I love her, too ... I love the friendship between the two of them.