Friday, October 21, 2005

Fire Tests Gold...

“These trials only test your faith to see whether or not it is strong and pure. Your faith is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it.” 1 Peter 1:7

I Will Follow

Though I Know Not Where I Go
Though I Know Not What I Do
With Your Rod And Your Staff
I Will Follow You

Sunday, October 16, 2005

I Will Follow You

Though I Walk Through The Valley
Though I Know Not Where I Go
You Will Light My Path
And Lead Me Through O' Lord

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Quote: The True Joy of Life

George Bernard Shaw once wrote, "This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Forgiven

This is a difficult topic for me. Forgiveness. How do you forgive someone who does you wrong? Wrong that you know you didn't deserve. Something that caused immense pain. How do you react when they say they're sorry? Or how do you react when they don't say sorry? How do you react when they don't seem to think that it's even their fault at all?

How about when the tables are turned? Suddenly, I'm the one at fault. I'm the one that caused harm. Do I say sorry? Should I just leave it? What if I dun think its my fault at all? What if I think I'm the victim instead?

It's never easy deciphering who's right and who's wrong. I'm not here to discuss that. But lets just say in the event that the one who did wrong owns up to it, and says sorry, is that enough? On many occasions, it never really is. " What are you going to do about it?" seems to be the question after a sorry.

The dictionary defines the word forgive in 3 ways
1. To excuse for a fault or an offense; pardon.
2. To renounce anger or resentment against.
3. To absolve from payment of (a debt, for example).

We seem to seek on many occasions a sort of payback. "What am I going to get in return for forgiving you? Don't forget, you hurt me bad."

Forgiveness has no terms. It's all or nothing. And don't expect anything in return for it. Don't forget, you are in the drivers' seat. You have the right to accord mercy, or not. To be merciful? Or to be merciless? That equates to being vengeful.

Easier said than done? Agreed! I always thought that forgiving someone meant saying I forgive you, and then bringing it up later. *sigh* How wrong I was. I was seeking revenge. I wanted them to know how much they hurt me. I wanted them to feel my pain, and in turn feel remorseful.

Even as I blog this, I am starting to feel a deep sense of regret. And in turn, I am staring to feel ashamed of my actions. On many occasions, God gave me the chance to be merciful, to forgive, but I chose to be vengeful. I chose to inflict the same kind of pain I received. And I was a hypocrite. I only said I forgive, but never meant to carry out the actions of forgiveness; which is to pardon, to renounce anger or resentment against that person and to absolve from payment of that wrong against me. *sigh*

To choose forgiveness, and by forgiveness I mean true forgiveness as I have just defined, is noble. It shows up the person as he or she really is. To put aside all the pain, the hurts, the anger and resentment is truly something that is to be admired. It surfaces the depth of that person's character.

I have only just begun to realise this truth of what true forgiveness is. I ask for forgiveness of those whom I have not properly forgiven. If I have in anyway made any of you feel horrible about hurting me, then I am truly sorry. As my Father in Heaven forgives me of all sins, I too will learn and forgive all who has wronged me.