Months after a hurtful situation, I found myself still struggling to forgive. Time in and of itself wasn't doing the trick. I finally realized that, before I could freely extend mercy, I had to acknowledge just how painful and unjust the offense against me had been. Perhaps you can relate to this dilemma. If you’re a Christian and you’ve been sinned against, I’m guessing the message you’ve heard the loudest is that you should (quickly) forgive the offense and let it go. Although mercy ultimately triumphs over judgment, we ignore a vital part of God’s character when we rush into Continue Reading
Search Results for: what you may tend to forget
One of the Most Enjoyable Ways to Bond as a Family
We’re winding through the mountains, enjoying miles of thick evergreen forests topped by stunning snow-capped peaks. In the context of such beauty and the joy of time off with my beloved, the sadness doesn’t make sense. But it’s there. Every time we get away without the kids and grandkids and I step out of the car to breathe deep of pine-scented air, a pang hits me. A nameless, keening ache that refuses to leave. I close my eyes. Warm summer breeze caressing my skin, I’m transported to another time and place. I’m a kid visiting Yosemite National Park with my parents and Continue Reading
3 Important Differences Between Amusement and Joy
Want to be happy? Me, too. And having that desire doesn't make us shallow people. I've heard some Christian teaching to the effect that "joy" is different than "happiness," that joy is deep whereas happiness is shallow. You know -- happiness depends on circumstances, but joy can be had regardless of the externals -- you've heard the drill. There's some truth there, but it's possible to get a bit religious with this. We can end up squelching joy if we insist it's not even an emotion. Truth is, it's pretty difficult to separate joy from happiness. According to Webster's, happiness Continue Reading
4 Surefire Ways to Freak Out Church Visitors
Christians are a funny bunch. We have our own subculture, complete with terminology and social habits. Once we've been in the club long enough, we think all this stuff is normal, and we forget that our behavior might be scary to a new person -- perhaps most of all, our über-friendliness. Friendliness is scary? What? This idea would have sounded quite strange to me even a few years ago. Maybe you can relate. I've always gone to church. I've always been taught to be warm, friendly and inclusive. I can't count how many thousands of services I've sat through Continue Reading
