Tag Archive: forgiveness

12 Gifts of ChristX – Salvation

We used to do a “white elephant” gift exchange at our family Christmas party every year. It’s a lot of fun once the stealing starts. No gift you’ve selected is securely yours until… Continue reading

12 Gifts of ChristX – Joy

We Christians have a joy problem….a disconnect between what we profess and believe to be ours in Christ and what is exhibited in our attitude and countenance. The sullen, angry, joyless Christian seems… Continue reading

12 Gifts of ChristX – Forgiveness

You’ve heard the stories. A young person is murdered and, incredibly, the parents declare that they forgive their child’s killer. In some cases, like this one here, they even go out of their… Continue reading

12 Gifts of ChristX – Peace

If I were to ask you to say the first thing that comes to mind when I say “peace,” it’s unlikely you would respond with “Jerusalem.” Unless it was Opposite Day. The Middle… Continue reading

Turn that frown upside-down

Thanksgiving is almost here, and friends on Facebook have been posting what they’re thankful for every day this month. I’m a pretty grateful type so I considered doing that. But then I thought… Continue reading

That’s why we get monthly bills

I can’t remember Thanksgivings. With nine brothers and sisters, who eventually were bringing spouses and children, you would think every one would be memorable, if only for the chaos and commotion. But my… Continue reading

The love we need

She was poor and downtrodden. With little to call her own and even less hope for a better future, she felt virtually enslaved by her helplessness. But worse than this, she was disagreeable,… Continue reading

Don’t add stupid to guilty

How can anyone do such a thing? Have they no common human decency? What is the matter with people? The more I read the news, both current and past, the more attractive living… Continue reading

The scandalous mercy of God

Raising ten children meant my parents had to be intentional about seeking a balance between meeting the individual needs of each of us kids without appearing to favor any. I’m sure the scales… Continue reading

# 4 God’s love – a case from reason

It’s true. What the world needs now, and has always needed, is love. We need to treat others with love but we also need to know that we are loved, truly and unconditionally.… Continue reading

#9 Faith plus works or faith that works?

Number nine on my top ten posts in honor of my ten year blogging anniversary begins with a horrifying hypothetical scenario. Is this not what works-based salvation necessarily leads to? Picture this: You’re… Continue reading

Faith that wounds

I’m waxing personal and reflective this month. A few more installments in the series…this is number 11. When you have a strong faith, and you also have children, your greatest desire for them… Continue reading

A heavenly transaction

This is Part 7 of my personal reflection series 35 years a saint. You can read my introduction here. So there I was, a new creation. Ta da! You know that dance scene at the end… Continue reading

Prescription for a sick world

I have lately felt more overwhelmed than usual by all the evil in the world. Murders, rapes, child abuse, sex trafficking, tortuous persecution. We see it in the news every day…a sad and… Continue reading

Rancor, righteousness, and redemption

This is good, all this divisiveness, public shaming, and indignant moralizing. You know why? Because when someone implies that I’m a cruel and heartless hypocrite, I actually examine myself to see if the… Continue reading