Do We really understand the concept of Forgiveness?

First off my I ask forgiveness for not blogging for so long of a time. That said, do we really understand the concept of forgiveness. I know that I have not had a complete understanding of it. I will, of course, expound on what I understand forgiveness to be. I will leave you to ponder my discourse.
Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. I do not forget that "infraction" that needs forgiveness. In fact, it has little to do with said "infraction" per say. Forgiveness has to do with a choice that one makes to not let said "infraction" to interfere with the present or the future. It is a choice to let go of the power, the control, of the "infraction" on one's life.
For example, a friend or family member breaks your trust by spreading rumors about you. This causes you great pain and can make you very distrustful of others. You harbor this injustice inside you and this hurt continues to build and you can not forget what has been done to you. The pain, the poison eats you inside and out. I am sure that you can relate to this. In fact, probably in a number of situations in your past.
To offer forgiveness then is a choice that you make to rid yourself of this poison and the pain. You choice to let go of it all and give up the power and control that has taken over your mind and heart.
Is it easy to do? No! But it is a powerful thing within itself. It is a freeing choice that liberates one from the chains that are put upon us due to said "infraction". It is a choice that says, Enough! I will not continue in this! I give up the power and control! I forgive, I let go!
What also happens is that the more we forgive, the easier forgiving becomes and we are open to live and love in a new liberating way.
So give it a try! Let go of the past and live anew.

What really is "The News"?

What really constitutes the news? Who decides what should be considered news and important information on the morning and evening news broadcasts? Somehow, I fail to understand why it is newsworthy what Michelle Obama wears on her vacation. Not only that but that it should be somehow an issue of controversy. So she wore shorts and a baseball cap. Big deal. She was on vacation. Should she have had a designer made gown as she viewed the mountains in a national park? Give me a break. She wore what any reasonable, everyday citizen of this USA would have worn. Why should she be any different from me or you? Then why is this on the news and a matter of controversy. Why is it any one's business? Now, I do believe that she should dress appropriately as she represents the rest of us to the world when she is meeting dignitaries and meeting the public at public events. But come on she was on vacation. And I would say that she was dressed appropriately. Enough already news people. People out there are looking for help. Struggling to live. Struggling to eke out a living. Or they are helping others in many various ways. This should be newsworthy. What a strange old world we live in!

What are you worth?

I think that I am worth alot. But I'm not thinking in terms of money value. Today I came across a sports news item that made me so upset. With all the problems in the USA surrounding money the football money moguls did it again. The New York Giants gave their "star" quarterback a new contract giving him almost 97 million dollars over the next 6 years.
Who in the world is worth 97 million dollars. Just think how many people one could feed with 97 million dollars. Think about how many business could be started that would employ how many people with that 97 million dollars. Think how many lives could be saved with the help of 97 million dollars. If I was Eli Manning I would be ashamed. No one. I repeat. No one is worth 97 million dollars for playing football. No one is worth that really for anything that I can think of. And you wonder why I refuse to watch professional sports of any kind. Can you guess why?
My time and energy is worth a whole lot more than any sports figure. I can put it to use helping others. Isn't that worth more than money? At least I think so. What do you think?

It's a crazy old world!

I truly wonder how news broadcast people define the word news today. Also, what we as followers of the news think is newsworthy. Somehow, I have difficulty seeing how a 7 year old boy driving his parents car because he doesn't want to go to church is newsworthy enough to not only hit cyberspace but also be on the Today Show. Not only that but the headline is what his punishment is. No tv, video games, and grounded for a week? Oh, yeah and he had to go to church. Meanwhile he also got a free trip to New York City and be on the Today Show and who knows what other media had him on. What punishment. Oh, yeah I forgot, he still had to go to church. Let us not consider the fact that he could have died, killed someone else, and damaged property. Let's make him a celebrity for his recklessness. Afterall he is just a cute blond 7 year old.
It is a crazy old world indeed!

Being a Christian is not easy.

Being a Christian is not easy. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I know that the popular prosperity gospel states that if you give your life to God then you will have a prosperous good life. The problem is the definition of the terms prosperous and good. If you define prosperous as having all you need to sustain life then okay. And if you define good as what is right and life giving to you then okay. But, unfortunately, the definitions of the prosperity gospel are success, money, and an easy rich lifestyle.
Being a Christian is not that easy. It means encountering God. It means being in an intimate relationship with God. It means admitting that one can not live without God and in fact must turn everything over to God. This in itself is no easy feat. Then it means being aware of and communicating with God. Being open to the Holy Spirit moving in, around, and through your earthly body. It means learning to love yourself and stripping away the layers of negativity and pain that cloak the real you. It is risk-taking to the extreme. It means learning to truly trust.
Then and only then can we learn to love others. That is another aspect of being a Christian that is not easy. Because it is risk-taking and often very painful. With new sight we look at others and see their pain and negativity that surrounds them. Once this occurs then we have the responsibility to help others carry their burdens as Christ helps us carry ours.
So I don't care what anyone else says, being a Christian is not easy. But it is the only life I want to live. Care to join me?