There are blessings in forgiveness

  To continue on the subject of forgiveness. You can forgive a person and still not forget what he has done. It will take time for that person to work back in your trust. That is normal. But the main blessing in forgiveness is that it frees you up. You no longer have to carry that heavy burden. You can wave that flag and go on with your life.
   Let the offending party go. God will handle him.
   If you want a good series on forgiveness and the blessing in forgiveness you can no doubt listen to the pod casts of that time period when Pastor Joe allowed his sermon series to be recorded and mad einto a pod caast. For the podcasts you just go over to http://acts1.libsyn.com/webpage. It is there.
   Also a good series around mothers day about Ruth and Naomi. A whole different way of looking at it.

   A great lesson on mentorship and direction.

Easter is not bunnies

  Easter is not eggs and bunny rabbits. It is something else. It is the day Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death, and the tomb is empty. Death couldn't hold Him. And that is what we celebrate at Easter.
   Sure, for the kids you have an egg hunt, but that is not the meaning of Easter.As the angel said, He is not here. He is risen.
   And todays sermon at church, yes, there is even a servikce this evening on Saturday, given by Daryl, was made more powerful because we serve a risen savior.

Forgiveness has blessings

Recently my pastor, pastor Joe, gave a sermon in his series on forgiveness mentioning the seven blessings of forgiveness. It was simple and easy to understand. Firstly, forgiveness deflects self-pity or pride. Secondly, forgiveness shows mercy by holding back what the other person deserves.Thirdly, forgiveness restores the joy of the relationship. Fourthly, forgiverness affirms love.Fifthly, it proves obedience.God has told us to forgive others. Sixthly, it restores fellowship. And lkast of all, it doesn't give Satan a foothold in our lives. It stops sin.
   More can be found concerning PAstor Joe and his fellowshipo at ACTS, a Church That Studies by going to the website http://www.achurchthatstudies.org/. You may find soem videos there that will help.