"Just how blasphemous is this???" "This guy claims to be a Christian and he's writing about being equal to God?" Yep! That will be the initial thoughts and guess what, for a few years "this guy" played the role of a Pharisee in a few Easter plays. You think you can be just like God?
Unfortunately, far too many people think those of us who are active in the faith like pastors, preachers, writers, church leaders have never had a life of living in the trenches and getting our hands dirty in this life. Truth is yes, there are some who haven't and there are those of us who have had our hands dirtied, have scars, have climbed into and out of the septic tank of this world and have come out of it with a much better education than Mr. and Mrs. Clean.
Domestic violence is putrid. Men? There is NEVER, EVER any reason whatsoever for you to be using violence toward your wife NO MATTER what she has done or what you may think she has done. NEVER! Got it??? Women? There is NEVER, EVER any reason whatsoever for you to be using violence toward your husband NO MATTER what he has done or what you may think he has done. NEVER! Got it??? No, that's not a typo. Its "equal opportunity" and both sentences are exactly the same except for the marriage role. Guys are also on the receiving end of violence and allow me to let you in on a secret. Are you ready? The fingers on the keys of this keyboard belong to one of those guys! I was assaulted physically multiple times. It all came to an end via divorce which she filed but long before that, I took my action. I completely forgave her for all. We have since had friendly contacts and that's all it will ever be and she apologized as well and asked for my forgiveness.
As Tyrone Davis said in his 1970 hit song, let's "Turn Back The Hand of Time"... It was the early seventies and I became acquainted with a young lady who was going thru some serious difficulties. We talked many hours about the situation and neither of us did or suggested us going in a direction of impropriety due to our friendship. Her father on the other hand made it plain he didn't want me talking with her and I was told she was going to be relocated to another town as a result of her life complications. I am being quite vague in my description in respect of privacy here, please understand. This man built a fire under me, a fire of intense dislike and speculation as I surmised he just wanted her out of the picture because of his ego. I carried around my intense feelings of dislike for this man for several decades. I can't remember any other person I've disliked on a personal level to the extent I did with him. I did not forgive him to his face and cannot as he has passed. I have spoken to God about this and He knows my heart and I know He has forgiven me.
"So what about being just like God" you ask. FACT: You, me nor anyone will ever be "like" God but God tells us thru His word we can have one of His attributes so important, that it will be the closest we can get to be like Him! God is "tenderhearted, kind, forgiving". Did you see that last word? "FORGIVING". If you can put those attributes into practice EVERY DAY, you will be just like God in direct respect to one of His attributes! That's very plainly stated in Ephesians 4:32! "Forgiving" someone doesn't mean you will become the best of buddies again. It doesn't make the original hurt go away. It does mean you WILL NOT do anything to "get even". Funny thing about technology. I type these words, I read these words and I too must practice these words.
Are you with me on this? There are many other aspects of unforgiveness we can get into here but at the top of the list is being like God. Please take time soon to rummage thru your brain and find the names of people whom you need to forgive. Contact them if possible and appropriate and forgive them. Do so before they pass away. You can always and should pray to God and express your forgiveness toward that person to Him.
Keep In Touch!
Unfortunately, far too many people think those of us who are active in the faith like pastors, preachers, writers, church leaders have never had a life of living in the trenches and getting our hands dirty in this life. Truth is yes, there are some who haven't and there are those of us who have had our hands dirtied, have scars, have climbed into and out of the septic tank of this world and have come out of it with a much better education than Mr. and Mrs. Clean.
Domestic violence is putrid. Men? There is NEVER, EVER any reason whatsoever for you to be using violence toward your wife NO MATTER what she has done or what you may think she has done. NEVER! Got it??? Women? There is NEVER, EVER any reason whatsoever for you to be using violence toward your husband NO MATTER what he has done or what you may think he has done. NEVER! Got it??? No, that's not a typo. Its "equal opportunity" and both sentences are exactly the same except for the marriage role. Guys are also on the receiving end of violence and allow me to let you in on a secret. Are you ready? The fingers on the keys of this keyboard belong to one of those guys! I was assaulted physically multiple times. It all came to an end via divorce which she filed but long before that, I took my action. I completely forgave her for all. We have since had friendly contacts and that's all it will ever be and she apologized as well and asked for my forgiveness.
As Tyrone Davis said in his 1970 hit song, let's "Turn Back The Hand of Time"... It was the early seventies and I became acquainted with a young lady who was going thru some serious difficulties. We talked many hours about the situation and neither of us did or suggested us going in a direction of impropriety due to our friendship. Her father on the other hand made it plain he didn't want me talking with her and I was told she was going to be relocated to another town as a result of her life complications. I am being quite vague in my description in respect of privacy here, please understand. This man built a fire under me, a fire of intense dislike and speculation as I surmised he just wanted her out of the picture because of his ego. I carried around my intense feelings of dislike for this man for several decades. I can't remember any other person I've disliked on a personal level to the extent I did with him. I did not forgive him to his face and cannot as he has passed. I have spoken to God about this and He knows my heart and I know He has forgiven me.
"So what about being just like God" you ask. FACT: You, me nor anyone will ever be "like" God but God tells us thru His word we can have one of His attributes so important, that it will be the closest we can get to be like Him! God is "tenderhearted, kind, forgiving". Did you see that last word? "FORGIVING". If you can put those attributes into practice EVERY DAY, you will be just like God in direct respect to one of His attributes! That's very plainly stated in Ephesians 4:32! "Forgiving" someone doesn't mean you will become the best of buddies again. It doesn't make the original hurt go away. It does mean you WILL NOT do anything to "get even". Funny thing about technology. I type these words, I read these words and I too must practice these words.
Are you with me on this? There are many other aspects of unforgiveness we can get into here but at the top of the list is being like God. Please take time soon to rummage thru your brain and find the names of people whom you need to forgive. Contact them if possible and appropriate and forgive them. Do so before they pass away. You can always and should pray to God and express your forgiveness toward that person to Him.
Keep In Touch!
