I’m totally stunned that it is October 28th. This late fall date is a reminder of how fast 2011 is going . . .and how quickly our book club journey is passing as well. We are journeying into Week 7 today! That means we are officially at the mid-way point in our resolutions.
This past week, I pray that you’ve enjoyed compelling conversation with your pen pal about what it looks like to esteem others with your time, concern and full attention. I can’t imagine how the people in your life are going to feel blessed in their relationship with you as you put this resolution into practice.Did you sign the resolution at the end of that section?Great!Did you memorize your verse for Week 6?
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. (Proverbs 10:19 NLT)
Fairly easy to remember . . . much harder to do, huh?
I’ve so appreciated your tweets, blog posts and emails about this. You cannot imagine how much trouble my mouth gets me into (or maybe you can) so this resolution was especially important for me. It felt really good to know that I wasn’t alone.
Today, we embark on an equally stirring and important journey into Resolution #7 – A Resolution To Release Others From the Prison of My Hurt and Anger.
Here’s the Resolution:
I will forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.
Simply written yet somehow one of the most complex things for us to master whether in regards to huge offenses that have been done to us or small, daily frustrations created at the hands of another. Learning how to forgive is an essential action in the lives of any of us who want to be able to live the life we were created to experience.
Now, as I mention in the chapters you are about to read, by no means am I suggesting that by reading a short section in a book, having email conversations with your pen pal and signing your name to a resolution, will your forgiveness journey be complete. It would be irresponsible for me to even suggest such a thing. What I am saying is that this resolution is a great place for you to begin – to start the journey towards living a life that is free from the shackles that unforgiveness has thrown upon you.
You’ve got too much life to live and too many adventures in Him to experience to be held back by what others have done to you.
You could wait longer to broach this topic . . . but why?
This is a great day to begin!
Our memory verse for this week is Colossians 2:13-14. It’s a bit longer than last week’s but I know you can handle it!
When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Join with me in committing this verse to memory and allowing God’s Spirit to search your heart in regards to this issue. I am praying that the search light of His love will reveal anything that is keeping you from His best for your life and that you will have the courage to tend to it immediately.
Have a great week. I’ll be around here on the blog looking for your comments and remember, you can always email me at: bookclub@goingbeyond.com or tweet me @priscillashirer. It’s a joy for me to be in a book club with you!
Blessings
Priscilla
