Word for Today, Wed, 01 May 2002: Forgiveness and Setting an Example for Others

#1 · May 1, 2002, 10:59 am

Quote from Forum Archives on May 1, 2002, 10:59 am
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

My wife forwarded a message to me that is an essay from her sister.
This message is of particular importance to us as a family because
there has been brokenness and difficulties that have been experienced
in my wife's family, and painful experiences between my wife's sister
and my wife's father. The message from my wife's sister is an
indication to me that her sister is really beginning to come to grips
with the importance of our families, flawed as they are, for
forgiveness and love.

All of these attributes are fully met in Jesus Christ, our Lord, who
sets the ultimate example of forgiveness and love, taking on the full
punishment for our guilt, sin, and shame, completely forgiving us,
loving us, and enabling us to be freed from the tyranny of living
lives of anger, resentment, rage, and unforgiveness.

The Bible says: For you know that it was not with perishable things
such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life
handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious
blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen
before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times
for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from
the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.---
1 Peter 1:18-21

My friends, if there is any animosity between you and anyone else, get
rid of it today, don't wait. If you are able to resolve differences,
do so. If you are not able to resolve differences, forgive in your
own heart anyway, even if you have been wronged. You will become free
from the enslavery that comes when you harbor something against
someone else.

I very keenly know what it's like to be deceived, tzken advantage of,
emotionally hurt.etc. Quite frankly, it takes a real act of will to
find forgiveness for others when such things happen. But it is the
only way to experience any kind of lasting peace. Take it from an
expert - I know, first hand! There was a time when anger and
unforgiveness nearly destroyed me, from the inside out! No more!

May the peace of Christ dwell in each of your hearts as you earnestly
seek Him, examine your own thoughts, deal with any looming issues that
you may be hiding somewhere deep within. As you release those things
and let Christ fill you, HE MOST ASSUREDLY WILL DO SO! With great
love, I share this message of hope today.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

THE PARABLE OF THE CHILD

There is a difference between education and experience. Education is
what you get from reading the small print. Experience is what you get
from not reading it!

But isn't it true that great learning comes from both education and
experience? Let me tell you a parable:

A young school teacher had a dream that an angel appeared to him and
said, "You will be given a child who will grow up to become a world
leader. How will you prepare her so that she will realize her
intelligence, grow in confidence, develop both her assertiveness and
sensitivity, be open-minded, yet strong in character? In short, what
kind of education will you provide that she can become one of the
world's truly GREAT leaders?"

The young teacher awoke in a cold sweat. It had never occurred to him
before -- any ONE of his present or future students could be the
person described in his dream. Was he preparing them to rise to ANY
POSITION to which they may aspire? He thought, 'How might my teaching
change if I KNEW that one of my students were this person?' He
gradually began to formulate a plan in his mind.

This student would need experience as well as instruction. She would
need to know how to solve problems of various kinds. She would need to
grow in character as well as knowledge. She would need self-assurance
as well as the ability to listen well and work with others. She would
need to understand and appreciate the past, yet feel optimistic about
the future. She would need to know the value of lifelong learning in
order to keep a curious and active mind. She would need to grow in
understanding of others and become a student of the spirit. She would
need to set high standards for herself and learn self discipline, yet
she would also need love and encouragement, that she might be filled
with love and goodness.

His teaching changed. Every young person who walked through his
classroom became, for him, a future world leader. He saw each one, not
as they were, but as they could be. He expected the best from his
students, yet tempered it with compassion. He taught each one as
if the future of the world depended on his instruction.

After many years, a woman he knew rose to a position of world
prominence. He realized that she must surely have been the girl
described in his dream. Only she was not one of his students, but
rather his daughter. For of all the various teachers in her life, her
father was the best.

I've heard it said that "Children are living messages we send to a
time and place we will never see." But this isn't simply a parable
about an unnamed school teacher. It is a parable about you and me --
whether or not we are parents or even teachers. And the story, OUR
story, actually begins like this:

"You will be given a child who will grow up to become...." You finish
the sentence. If not a world leader, then a superb father? An
excellent teacher? A gifted healer? An innovative problem solver? An
inspiring artist? A generous philanthropist?

Where and how you will encounter this child is a mystery. But believe
that one child's future may depend upon influence only you can provide,
and something remarkable will happen. For no young person will ever be
ordinary to you again. And you will never be the same.

See Ya Later, Alligator! 😎
My Favorite Life Quotes:
"Life is not about what the world brings to you - it is about what you
bring to the world".
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but rather by the
number of moments that take our breath away".

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness
health.yahoo.com

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

My wife forwarded a message to me that is an essay from her sister.
This message is of particular importance to us as a family because
there has been brokenness and difficulties that have been experienced
in my wife's family, and painful experiences between my wife's sister
and my wife's father. The message from my wife's sister is an
indication to me that her sister is really beginning to come to grips
with the importance of our families, flawed as they are, for
forgiveness and love.

All of these attributes are fully met in Jesus Christ, our Lord, who
sets the ultimate example of forgiveness and love, taking on the full
punishment for our guilt, sin, and shame, completely forgiving us,
loving us, and enabling us to be freed from the tyranny of living
lives of anger, resentment, rage, and unforgiveness.

The Bible says: For you know that it was not with perishable things
such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life
handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious
blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen
before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times
for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from
the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.---
1 Peter 1:18-21

My friends, if there is any animosity between you and anyone else, get
rid of it today, don't wait. If you are able to resolve differences,
do so. If you are not able to resolve differences, forgive in your
own heart anyway, even if you have been wronged. You will become free
from the enslavery that comes when you harbor something against
someone else.

I very keenly know what it's like to be deceived, tzken advantage of,
emotionally hurt.etc. Quite frankly, it takes a real act of will to
find forgiveness for others when such things happen. But it is the
only way to experience any kind of lasting peace. Take it from an
expert - I know, first hand! There was a time when anger and
unforgiveness nearly destroyed me, from the inside out! No more!

May the peace of Christ dwell in each of your hearts as you earnestly
seek Him, examine your own thoughts, deal with any looming issues that
you may be hiding somewhere deep within. As you release those things
and let Christ fill you, HE MOST ASSUREDLY WILL DO SO! With great
love, I share this message of hope today.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

THE PARABLE OF THE CHILD

There is a difference between education and experience. Education is
what you get from reading the small print. Experience is what you get
from not reading it!

But isn't it true that great learning comes from both education and
experience? Let me tell you a parable:

A young school teacher had a dream that an angel appeared to him and
said, "You will be given a child who will grow up to become a world
leader. How will you prepare her so that she will realize her
intelligence, grow in confidence, develop both her assertiveness and
sensitivity, be open-minded, yet strong in character? In short, what
kind of education will you provide that she can become one of the
world's truly GREAT leaders?"

The young teacher awoke in a cold sweat. It had never occurred to him
before -- any ONE of his present or future students could be the
person described in his dream. Was he preparing them to rise to ANY
POSITION to which they may aspire? He thought, 'How might my teaching
change if I KNEW that one of my students were this person?' He
gradually began to formulate a plan in his mind.

This student would need experience as well as instruction. She would
need to know how to solve problems of various kinds. She would need to
grow in character as well as knowledge. She would need self-assurance
as well as the ability to listen well and work with others. She would
need to understand and appreciate the past, yet feel optimistic about
the future. She would need to know the value of lifelong learning in
order to keep a curious and active mind. She would need to grow in
understanding of others and become a student of the spirit. She would
need to set high standards for herself and learn self discipline, yet
she would also need love and encouragement, that she might be filled
with love and goodness.

His teaching changed. Every young person who walked through his
classroom became, for him, a future world leader. He saw each one, not
as they were, but as they could be. He expected the best from his
students, yet tempered it with compassion. He taught each one as
if the future of the world depended on his instruction.

After many years, a woman he knew rose to a position of world
prominence. He realized that she must surely have been the girl
described in his dream. Only she was not one of his students, but
rather his daughter. For of all the various teachers in her life, her
father was the best.

I've heard it said that "Children are living messages we send to a
time and place we will never see." But this isn't simply a parable
about an unnamed school teacher. It is a parable about you and me --
whether or not we are parents or even teachers. And the story, OUR
story, actually begins like this:

"You will be given a child who will grow up to become...." You finish
the sentence. If not a world leader, then a superb father? An
excellent teacher? A gifted healer? An innovative problem solver? An
inspiring artist? A generous philanthropist?

Where and how you will encounter this child is a mystery. But believe
that one child's future may depend upon influence only you can provide,
and something remarkable will happen. For no young person will ever be
ordinary to you again. And you will never be the same.

See Ya Later, Alligator! 😎
My Favorite Life Quotes:
"Life is not about what the world brings to you - it is about what you
bring to the world".
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but rather by the
number of moments that take our breath away".

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness
health.yahoo.com