Author: Administrador

Topics: Anger; Forgiveness; Mistakes; Relationships; Stress References: Psalm 25:11; 32:1–2; Matthew 6:12–15; 18:21–35; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37; Acts 2:38–39; Colossians 3:13 According to a 2001 study of 1,423 adults by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research: •     52 percent of those surveyed have forgiven others for past transgressions •     75 percent believe they have been … Continue reading “WHOM
WE FORGIVE”

Topics: Bitterness; Forgiveness; God’s Love; Resentment Reference: Matthew 18:21–35 A traveler was making his way with a guide through the jungles of Burma. They came to a shallow, wide river and waded through it to the other side. When the traveler came out of the river, numerous leeches were on his torso and legs. His … Continue reading “LOSING
THE LEECHES”

Topics: Christlikeness; Grace; Imitation of Christ; Love; Mercy; Pardon; Reconciliation; Relationships References: Matthew 5:43–48; 6:14–15; 18:21–35; Luke 6:27–36 Mandisa Hundley, a gospel singer, was one of the twelve finalists on American Idol. When she met with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson to find out if she had made it through to the … Continue reading “FORGIVING
SIMON”

Topics: Change; Confession; Conscience; Consequences; Emptiness; Forgiveness; Guilt; Honesty; Integrity; Pardon; Reconciliation; Shame References: Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Ezekiel 18:31; Acts 3:19; Romans 6:16; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 1:9 After John Jefferson robbed a Krispy Kreme Doughnut store in Kingsport, Tennessee, in 1999, he bought dope. But he couldn’t enjoy it because … Continue reading “RELIEVED
OF STOLEN MONEY”

Topics: Courage; Forgiveness; Freedom; Grace; Healing; Mercy References: Matthew 6:14–15; 18:21–35; Colossians 3:12–15 For two decades, Wayne Messmer, forty-nine, was an announcer and singer for sports teams in the Windy City. After singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a Chicago Blackhawks game in 1994, Messmer was shot by two teenage boys. The bullet passed through the … Continue reading “FORGIVING
HIS SHOOTER”

Topics: Depression; Evangelism; Excuses; Witnessing References: Matthew 28:19–20; John 14:6–7; Colossians 4:3–6; 1 Peter 3:15 My job as a psychiatric nurse brought me in touch with many people who were searching for answers to problems in their lives. I knew that Jesus was the answer, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk to them about … Continue reading “WANDA’S
LEGACY”

Topics: Apology; Confession; Forgiveness; Meditation; Pardon; Quiet Time; Reconciliation; Sin References: Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Acts 3:19; Hebrews 10:22; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9 When I left for college, my mother—who had always done my laundry—made a canvas duffel bag for me. “Put your dirty clothes in this every night,” she said. “At the end … Continue reading “LAUNDERING
EACH SIN”

Topics: Character; Forgiveness; Guilt; Motives; Pardon; Redemption; Regret; Self-centeredness; Shame; Sin; Values References: Psalm 39:6; Isaiah 45:13; 55:1–2; Colossians 3:12–13 Upon the death of Pope John Paul II, Rogers Cadenhead, a self-described “domain hoarder,” registered www.BenedictXVI.com before the new pope’s name was announced. Cadenhead had the name before Rome knew it was needed. The right … Continue reading “ABSOLUTION
FOR A WEEK”

Topics: Forgiveness; Grace; Hatred; Love for Enemies; Racism; Violence References: Matthew 5:38–48; Luke 23:34 A South African woman stood in an emotionally charged courtroom listening to white police officers acknowledge the atrocities they had perpetrated in the name of apartheid. Officer van de Broek acknowledged his responsibility in the death of her son. Along with … Continue reading “JUDGING
APARTHEID ATROCITIES”

Topics: Church Leaders; Consequences; Ministry; Negligence; Pastors; Responsibility References: Ezekiel 3:16–21; Acts 18:5–6; 20:26–28 On a warm autumn afternoon, Anna Flores, thirty-six, was walking with her toddler in downtown Chicago. Without warning a window from the twenty-ninth floor of the CNA building fell to the ground, striking Flores in the head and killing her. The … Continue reading “FELLED
BY NEGLIGENCE”