Forgiveness

Physical: I just finished leg day and I am so exhausted. I didn't get up early and do it. So I cranked it out before bed. That, plus the melatonin, should knock me out. I have to say, I slept really well last night. I did wake up a few times, but only to change positions and fall back asleep. My bed looks so good right now.

I had my physical yesterday. It is good to keep on your health from all angles. Exercising, eating well more often than not, SLEEPING, and having regular checks.  It's always the healthy that you hear dying out of no where.

Relationships: My co-worker asked me if I'd consider Christian Mingle the other day. I heard that Christian Mingle is just a hook-up spot for "Christians." I don't know. I think I need to focus on me and what I need and what God's plan is for me. When I'm on the right path, I know I will get what I need. God won't hide it from me.

Career:  I got given a project to work on this week. It was amazing! Any time not having to be on the phone is some good time.

There have also been talks of home agents. I am hoping for this; it would add so much time to my day, not having to drive.  It also keeps me from having to drive during the winter and scary weather.

Spiritual: I heard an interesting sermon by Pastor Colin Smith with Unlocking the Bible. It's about forgiving people who don't repent. The point he states is that you don't have to forgive if the person doesn't repent. It has really made me think about forgiveness. I have some people in my life that are hard to forgive because they aren't repentant at all. His main point is that non-forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean anger/hate/bitterness. I like at the end, he says, if you even see someone on the horizon of repentant, run to meet them with love and forgiveness (like the father did for the prodigal son). There is a link to the sermon above. Give it a listen and see what you can glean from it. It's called "What God can't Forgive."

PS: My one big issue with it is how he states John the Baptist was preaching of repentance and about Jesus's birth. John the Baptist was only a few months older than Jesus.  We know this because Mary went to visit Elizabeth, John's mom. John the Baptist jumps in the womb when Mary enters (Luke 1:39-45)

Curse It

I’ve been dealing with some anger lately; lots and lots, overwhelming amounts at times.  I’ve been taking out my aggression on weights and the punching bag at the gym.  It’s too bad they don’t have gloves, because I feel like I’m going to break a knuckle open one of these times.  I am trying not to turn my anger on God.  I want to cry out.  Sometimes I feel more like Job’s wife saying: curse God and die already.   I am holding on to His promises, God is good and no matter what happens here on this earth, I know there is redemption for me on the other side in God’s arms.

Job 2:9-10

⁹ Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” ¹⁰ But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”^[a] In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

I pray that I may be more like Job.  Willing to accept both good times and trials from my heavenly Father.  I also pray that God gives me the strength of character to forgive those that have wronged me and humility to ask forgiveness when I have wronged others.

Forgive like Jesus

I love books.  Ask anyone who knows me, books are one of my giant obsessions.  Give me hot chocolate, a cozy blanket, a good book, and a dog or two (or even three), and I'll be set for a day.  You could probably leave me in one spot and return 12 hours later and I'd still be there reading away.

Okay, so I think you get how deep my obsession is with books.  I just got two new ones today.  I don't really have the money to buy stuff yet, but I thought these two books were something I should invest in for my own personal growth as a human.  Normally, I'm all about going and renting from the library and then buying as a last resort (unless I really love it or it's on uber sale). And heck, these two books were $6.29 total.  I picked up Procrastination: Preventing the Decay of Delay  and Forgiveness: The Freedom to Let Go, both by June Hunt.  I'm really having difficulty in the area of forgiving some of the betrayals I've felt in the last year, so I thought this book would be perfect.  I often have a hard time with forgiving.  And it's not the typical problem.  You could hurt me a million times, but if you said sorry, I'd accept it and forgive you.  I give so many second chances, I often get walked all over.  I'm hoping this book can keep me forgiving like Jesus, but still drawing the boundaries to keep from being a door mat for others.  The second is just because I love to put things off and then the next thing I know, I've run out of hours in the day!  I'm so a list maker, so I'm hoping this will help me work through my lists in a timely manner and not always losing hours of sleep to get things done.  I'll have to keep you updated on what I learn from these babies.