08/15/2023
A Little Forgiveness Goes a Long Way
I thought this week I'd just share, once again, what I used for the benediction in Sunday's worship. I had several requests for the quote that is included within it.
Here it is…
There is a tendency, a kind of parody of psycho-therapy, to blame our parents for everything we don't like about ourselves. I would be a much better person if I'd only had better parents. I'd be a much healthier person if I'd gotten better genes. I've fallen prey to it myself at times, and can easily devolve into a lifelong pity-party. There is a strange comfort in in being a victim of a dysfunctional family.
I found a quote that puts it all in perspective and I want to send you out with it this morning.
"It's not your place to hold your parents responsible for your failings, they are as imperfect as you are.
"It is your place to recognize that their sacrifices have allowed you the opportunity to be in this world long enough to work on and overcome those failings."
Funny how imperfect parents often end up with imperfect children (but perfect grandchildren). But as followers of Jesus, we know that not one of us is perfect, and yet because of His amazing grace, we most certainly are forgiven. And many times, that's all it takes.
Archived Posts
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The Best Kind of Trouble-maker
While working on this last week’s sermon I was looking through Phillip Yancey’s excellent book—The Jesus I Never Knew—when I came across a section that I found profound. It didn’t quite fit my sermon, but it caught my eye enough that I copied it down.
Practical Tips To Avoid Judging Others
When I research a sermon, such as Sunday’s message on judgmentalism, I always try to think through some practical steps or tips in how to implement God’s desire for our lives. I rustled together a herd of ideas this week and I offer them to you.
The Shepherd, the King, and the Rescuer
God has got a long list of names, but some of those names are better than others. There is a small child who thought God’s name was Harold since the Lord’s Prayer includes the phrase “Hallowed be thy name.” When you think of all the scriptures that are most likely to be memorized you would have to include Psalm 23, The Lord’s Prayer, and John 3:16. The danger for us is our tendency to focus on the wrong thing.
Old Jokes Are The Best Jokes
Sunday morning, we took a look at Jesus’ command to make our enemies into neighbors and loving our neighbors as ourselves. One of the obstacles to doing this is our growing sense of tribalism—whether it’s a political, socio-economic, or even theological tribe.