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We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in 2008. Our children helped us celebrate with an all expense paid all arranged vacation In Hawaii.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
In a speech with the title I'm Still Learning To Forgive, Corrie Ten Boom tells about how memories in a concentration camp came back when she came face to face again with one of her captors. In her minds eye she could see her sister's frail form and ribs beneath the parchment of skin. She felt the shame of walking naked past the men.
Her former captor said to her, "You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk. I was a guard there. But since that time I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein. Will you forgive me?"
Corrie Ten Boom said, "And I stood there and could not. Betsie had died in that place. Could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking? It could have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do. And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this jealing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. I forgive you, brother! I cried. With all my heart!"
"For a moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then."
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Free Yourself to Love--The Liberating Power of Forgiveness by bestselling author Jackie Kendall is one of the books I will be giving away on my blog. As a survivor of severe childhood abuse, Jackie Kendall is an expert on forgiveness. I can't even begin to tell you how much I learned from Jackie's good book. I will have five copies of her book to give away. Visit my blog and let me know you are interested. Who knows? Maybe one of them will be put in the mail to you.
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17 comments:
Whoa! The title of THIS post stopped me short: That a man such as you, who I've never met ... who I might someday pass on the street without recognition, could "pen" those words ... simply incomprehensible.
When reading the previous post, I was struck by the title of the first book. Now, reading this excerpt I felt my my eyes filling.
See, since turning my life over to God a few years ago, I've struggled BIG-time with the issue of forgiveness - both the out-pouring and accepting His forgiveness for my wasted years.
In fact, each morning when I first pull out of the driveway, (my cue to begin singing the Lord's Prayer), my gut gets twisted up at the line, "as we forgive those who tresspass against us." ... I feel a bit like a fraud for daring to speak those 8 words.
So, simply thank-you for sharing Ms. Kendall's message.
I hope you enjoy great evening!
A great message Cliff thanks for sharing it. You come up with great message each week- I guess that's the minister in you. Blessings, peace,joy and love
I would love to receive one of your give-away books! I've had a problem with forgiveness, to my ex-husband for divorcing me. I think I have forgiven him, but sometimes I have to do it all over again....and again....
Katherne
Cliff,
I cried tears of joy as I read this tonight, it brought back memories of when I read the Hiding Place. I can remember coming home from the christian bookstore , not being able to put that book down until I had finished It, it was such a blessing to me , She was a remarkable woman, I am so looking forward to meeting her and Bessie some day.
And as always I love to linger and listen to your music!!! Thank you for sharing this !!!
Blessings,
Sue
I cried buckets of tears when I watched the movie, "The Hiding Place." Thanks for sharing this story with us.
~Jean
Ah forgiveness... this is beautiful... forgiveness is hard, like loving my enemies is hard. But I understand the need to forgive... it sets us free! God bless you this day!
I was fortunate enough to hear Corrie ten Boom speak in a huge auditorium. She had the help of a translator, but it was moving. She told this story and cried as she told it. Thanks for sharing. Happy Spiritual Sunday.
What sweet, sweet goodness does the Lord bring to the battle-scarred heart! I have felt That touch. It is then that we understand how He alone makes all things work to our ultimate benefit, and His glory.
Thank you for taking us to the land of forgiveness. How the world needs to know of its beauty!
Kathleen
WOW! That is powerful, I think as people in general we all need to forgive a little more. Even for the small stuff.
Blessings,
Ginger
Hello Clif, thanks for your visit. I read about Corrie Ten Bloom and her sister's experience of shame, walking naked past those men, I wish I could remember the exact words but it was something positive about the experience. She was an amazing person. Thank you for today's post.
Blessings to you today.
Jeanne
I love the intensity of this message because forgiveness is so necessary and hard to do at times, but the freedom that follows is so wonderful! I'm a Jackie Kendall fan. I subscribed to her newsletter and the 2 I've received so far pierced my heart; I can't delete them! Sign me up for the book giveaway!
Incredible post! The lack of forgiveness is what is slitting churches. and the sad thing is for stupid petty things. Thank you for this post and for keeping me going! It is such an inspiring story.
my grandmother use to tell me... "God cannot forgive you if you do not forgive others"... I think we are all learning to forgive... whether those things be great or small... sometimes the hardest one to forgive is oneself.
blessings to you Clif... Dixie
As usual, you come up with the best thought provoking posts! Thanks so much!
Hi Clif,
What an amazing story! You always share the best with us. Thank you! I do so admire Corrie Ten Boom and enjoyed the movie "The Hiding Place." I would also be so appreciative to have my name added for the drawing of a book. Happy Sunday to you.
Blessings,
Sandi
We were just talking about this very incident, that Corrie Ten Boom spoke of, last week. It just goes to show that we, in ourselves, do not have the power to forgive. We can only forgive others through God's love and strength.
Cliff, I remember reading this years ago and being so moved by the story. I am still moved reading it today! It's a good lesson that we all need to learn. Jesus was very specific about forgiving over and over and over again when Peter asked how many times he should forgive someone, and the Lord's prayer is clear on it, too. Forigiveness is a powerful thing because it frees us to love the way God would have us love. Not always easy, but as Corrie would point out, it is liberating. I think it brings us closer to Christ's own heart. This reminds me that there's someone I need to forgive, and I have to work on it.
Thanks for this post today.
Sheila :-)
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