Forgiveness

Why do we whine when criticized by our boss, then call in a complaint on the pizza delivery guy because he accidentally mashed the lid into our pizza?
Do we ever stop to think of the consequences it might cost him?
When I delivered for Steakout, I might have looked like a college age kid in a Jeep, but I had a wife and two kids to feed. The pizza guy might be in the same position.
Would you make that complaint if you knew he'd lose his job?
It reminds me of the parable beginning in Matthew 18:21 when Peter asks about forgiveness.
The servant is forgiven of a great debt to his lord, then went to his own debtor and demanded payment. When the debtor couldn't pay the very small debt, he cast him in prison.
When his lord heard what he did, he castigated him then sent him to be tortured.
Would we risk the pizza guy's job if it put ours in jeopardy as well?
I'm not saying we should be pansies, and let people walk on us. There are things that we cannot allow to happen.
But so often we deliver our own brand of justice with no consideration for what it brings on someone who just made a mistake.
We hold back tips, call in complaints, leave bad comment cards, go on the internet and post nasty comments, and the list goes on.
Why not simply turn the other cheek?
We often think of being slapped when we hear that, but it applies elsewhere, too.
So the waitress is a little crabby and let your cup get empty. Try this: leave her a huge tip and a note saying we all have those days and you hope this helps hers get better. Her next table might owe you a great debt.
I don't believe in karma, but God does say we reap what we sow.
What will you sow today?
Justice? or Mercy?

I am thankful that God chose mercy in my life. You see, I cost him the life of his Son.
Justice would be an eternity in hell (yes, it's real).
Mercy would be forgiveness.
But God went a step farther and showed me Grace.

Grace was sending his own begotten son to Calvary to die for MY sin, and yours.

Grace brought death to Christ and sent him to the grave.

Then Grace ressurected the Saviour of mankind, giving me, and you, promise of the same ressurection if we simply believe in what you just read.

Grace makes me a joint-heir with Christ. That means I share all with the one who died due to MY sins.
That's Grace.

God gave all he had just to show me forgiveness. I only wish I would show it more often.

Family News

Tammy's Father passed away on 9/28.

He was a veteran of both WWII and Korea. He spent his life working for the railroad.

He was absent from nearly all of her childhood due mostly to his own wanderings. She was able to get in touch with him in 1998. We've been able to visit him several times since then.
Tammy led him to the Lord in 2000.

There are many half-siblings who have never met Tammy. Some might not want to because her mother was "the other woman" in their eyes. This may be Tammy's only chance to meet them.

He has already been cremated, and the memorial service is on 10/28 in northern Missouri.

Please pray that doors be opened for Tammy to start a dialogue with here siblings and possibly witness to them.

Also pray for our finances. We weren't ready for Christmas, much less for this emergency.
The easiest thing to pray for on the finances is that the next few weeks at work be above and beyond the average weeks.
We have a gas card with Shell, so we can pay off the gas later, but with no other credit cards, we will have three days of fast food, and two nights in a motel to pay for out of pocket.
So please pray that work picks up.

God is faithful. He got Tammy back in touch with her father so she could lead him to the Lord. I know he'll work through this, too.

How to Win Friends and Influence People, Biblically

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

I might have written on this topic before, but I was thinking about it again recently.

Dale Carnegie listed these six ways to making friends:

Six Ways to Make People Like You

1. Become genuinely interested in other people.

2. Smile.

3. Remember that a man's Name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

5. Talk in the terms of the other man's interest.

6. Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely.

God's version is not all that different. I know nothing about Mr Carnegie, so it isn't too much of a stretch to wonder if he was well acquainted with Galatians chapter six.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

I'm gonna allow you to make most of the comparisons. I just want to dwell on the scripture.

This passage contains too many good nuggets for an easy summary, but it's basically the "Golden Rule" expounded. As many have said, we are not an island to ourselves. Everything we do touches somebody.

I used to always be the one who had to "one-up" every story I heard. I have always lived a very simple life and when I heard the exciting stories others told, I felt I had to make my life just as interesting. I thought that by making my life sound interesting I could gain their respect and friendship. Looking back, I wonder how many friends I drove away due to my stories that were sometimes out-right lies. I had also picked up a good bit of sarcasm while I was in the Army. We always made jokes about each other.

People like using verses 7-9, but often never mention verse 10. NEVER miss a "therefore" in your Bible reading. Whenever you see a therefore or wherefore, even at the beginning of a chapter, see what it is tying together.

Why are we to do good unto all men? Because of what verses 7-9 say. I am not excluding these verses from other applications. I just think it would be sad to miss the direct usage. Dale Carnegie was onto something.

During the first week at a new job years ago a few coworkers mentioned how I resembled a former coworker of theirs. Then they began to talk about why they didn't like that person. They used the word "abrasive" to describe his sarcasm and talked about how much he liked to talk about himself. Turns out he didn't just "look" like me, he acted like me.

I learned quickly to keep my mouth shut and saw the fruits immediately. Not only did my coworkers like me, but management saw it, too. I was recommended by my foreman to be a foreman in another department ahead of a lot of people. I didn't get the position, but the recommendation taught me a lesson.

If I treated others as I wanted to be treated, they returned the favor.

Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

As my Pastor has said many times. The Bible is absolutely right on every subject it discusses. Even about human personal relations.

So what about the person who seems to not be playing by the rules? You know the one. You go out of your way to be nice to them and they are still just plain crabby. Well, first off, you should still obey Jesus. I don't see him qualifying his command by adding "only if they are nice back."

You have to go back to Galatians 6:7-9. We often use verse nine when talking about disciplining our children, and that is fine. But again, use it in context, also.

I've not perfected Mr. Carnegie's or God's plan. But using what humility I can muster has been very successful. I have found that I learn a lot listening to people. At first I may feign interest for their sake, but then I actually do become interested. I have also learned that after spending a while talking about themselves, others usually show interest in my life as well.

On a side note- I have discovered that my lack of an exciting life makes them feel even more special when they see how interested I am to hear about their more eventful lives.

I know nothing bad about Dale Carnegie other than what I had read on wikipedia. He did seem to know what he was talking about.

Look for opportunities to help others. Sometimes it is monetary, often it is not. It can be as simple as asking them how they are doing, and then stopping to listen.

Sin should be judged, but often we criticize others for not being mirror images of ourselves.

Sarcasm has its place, but use it carefully.

Remember that Jesus says that what we do to the least among us, we do unto Him.

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Now for a list of things I need... Just kidding!