I'M STILL LEARNING TO FORGIVE

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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READ GREAT BOOKS

In his excellent book Good to Great in God's Eyes, Chip Ingram discusses ten practices great Christians have in common.

One practice he mentions is, read great books. He then states the following reasons for reading:
Great books broaden your world, sharpen your mind, inflame your heart, develop your skills, and heal your soul. This list of good things makes me want to read. How about you?

Over the next few weeks I am going to be giving away five copies each of three different books. I hope you will come by and let me know you would like to receive a copy of one or all three. Tell your friends to come by also. Having a Christian attitude you will say, "If I don't win one, I would like to know that you do."

Free Yourself to Love --The Liberating Power of Forgiveness by Jackie Kendall will bless your life. You will learn how to exchange bitterness for the freedom to love and be loved.

Work in progress--An unfinished Woman's Guide To Grace, written by Kristin Armstrong, the former wife of Lance Armstrong, is a wonderful book that describes the twelve traits of a graceful woman and shows readers how they can be truly transformed.

A Walk With Christ To The Cross by Dawson McAllister tells about the last fourteen hours of Christ's earthly mission in the most interesting and powerful way of any book on this subject that I have ever read.

COME BY NEXT WEEK AND TELL ME YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THESE BOOKS!

GO OUT AND PLAY

Friday, February 27, 2009

The front page of the Arizona Republic states: "Valley forecast calls for abundance of fun in the sun."

The weather forecast calls for: 80 degrees today, 85 tomorrow and 87 Sunday.

What to do outside? Well, there's the Renaissance Festival going on at Apache Junction. You can catch a spring training game or if you are the more adventurous type you can raft the Salt River.

Me? I have books that I need to read and review so that will keep me inside for awhile.

I may venture out to Costco later in the day. Charlotte needs to go there and I can't resist that Hot dog and drink for $1.50. Best bargain in town!

BOOKING THROUGH THURSDAY

Thursday, February 26, 2009

This week's Booking Through Thursday's questions are:

• Hardcover? Or paperback?
• Illustrations? Or just text?
• First editions? Or you don’t care?
• Signed by the author? Or not?

My preference is always hardcover. I don't like paperbacks at all but do read a lot of softcover books. Most of my books are just text. I have never had a first edition. I guess that would be nice but I don't really care. I have a few books that have been signed by the author. I keep them because they seem special to me. I have given away cases of books over the years but I have also kept many books for future reference, like Bible commentaries, etc. Our home if filled with books. One solid wall in our family room is a built in bookcase loaded with hardcover books. I have four book cases in my study and a walk in closet with built in book cases. I like,read,reference and give away a lot of books.

THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

I love green grass but I don't like to mow it.

When I left California twenty years ago I left a huge back yard and a large front yard filled with grass.

In Arizona we filled our front yard and our two side yards with rock. A pool and deck cover much of the back yard and there is a very small area of grass under a shade tree.

That small area of grass does have to be mowed, especially when the sun shines. Neil Diamond sings, "L.A.'s fine, the sun shines most of the time...". And that's also true in Arizona. The sun shines most of the time!

So I mowed today.

Did I tell you I don't like to mow? I don't. But man, I really don't like snow. So, I'll stay in Arizona
and mow that little lawn.

Yes, I know those are not the only two choices. But I don't want rock everywhere.

"WHAT DID YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKETS?"

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A few days ago when I wrote about the "Treasures" boys carry in their pockets, a blogging friend was wondering if I would tell what I had in my pockets as a boy.

I didn't tell. I don't know.

However, here is a picture of me when I was a boy. I had a ball in one hand, a catcher's mitt on the other hand and a cap on my head. My pockets? No clue! My pants look like something my mother might have made. I don't think they had pockets. My four brothers and two sisters may have thought I would grow up to be a ball player. The lady across the street, who had sons who were preachers, called me her little Baptist preacher. Well I grew up to be a preacher--but not a Baptist. That same lady asked me one day if I wanted a piece of cantaloupe. I did--very much so! She gave me a big piece sprinkled generously with salt and pepper. I didn't even take it. I went running back across the street crying.

I was a "funny" little kid. I probably didn't put anything in my pockets.

Here's a closer up view