The Heart of The Matter

What a timely, relevant, and needed message that Clinton Everitt brought this past Sunday. There are several themes, principles, or truths in the Bible that we need to be reminded of on a routine basis, and Sunday's subject is certainly one of them. If you were not there I hope I have your curiosity up, if you were there, you know what I'm talking about. It's a message that has been played out in the public arena through stars, athletes, and entertainers. The Eagles are one of those bands that have been able to span the generation gap and gather listeners from different age groups. Their weaknesses, failures, successes, and painful relationships have been paraded down the public streets of life, via the media. The lyrics of their songs often betray their attempts at privacy because their songs are replete with the heartfelt emotions of life. Almost like the Psalms of the Bible, their songs seem to decry the circumstances of their current situations. And so, we find in one of their songs the subject that we studied from the Bible this past Sunday. And why wouldn't we, for sooner or later everyone will deal with it. I must point out again, that the purpose of this blog is to help people put some necessary "stuff" in their "Shepherd's Bag". There are certain things that must be in there when we face some of the giants we will face, or we will not be victorious. Sunday's subject is one of those items. The point of the Eagles song is one of those items. The name of the song is, The Heart of The Matter... and what an appropriate title, for that's exactly what this principle, this truth is!... The Heart of The Matter is FORGIVENESS. We learned a good definition for Forgiveness: Let It Go! How do we know if we really let something go?

F - Focus on the good and not the bad that's been done to you
O - Open yourself up to trust again (you have to be willing to be hurt again)
R - Repeat as often as necessary (forgiving that is)
G - Give forgiveness freely (no conditions)
I - Ignore your desire for revenge (we don't know what "even" is)
V - Validate that persons place (recognize what they bring to the relationship)
E - Erase the scoreboard (no "bone digging" : forgiveness means you will not use that against them ever again)

William Arthur Ward said, "We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive." Forgiveness is of God, by God, and because of God! So, let Him help you put some forgiveness in your bag of tools for successful living!!!

Deus Primus