Posts in the ‘Forgiveness’ Category

But God’s order, in fact, throws this process on its head. God’s order puts forgiveness and redemption first. Acknowledgment and apology may be like icing on the cake, but our spiritual duty is to forgive and, not only that, but to forgive first, as we have been forgiven.

Join other United Methodist Women on an Ubuntu eXplorer Journey to Northern Ireland, September 14-23, 2012. Participants will learn about the East Belfast Mission that is both a church and a mission, enjoy a relationship-building retreat with Methodist Women of Ireland and engage in discussions on what it means to forgive and reconcile with one another.

St. Louis Today: But true forgiveness is not easy, and often should not happen quickly. When forgiveness does happen, it is a sure sign of God’s grace in our midst. Forgiveness represents the deep hope of God’s ultimate restoration as witnessed in the cross of Jesus Christ.

For the Amish, forgiveness is not only a dutiful response to tragedy, it is a way of life — a long, emotional journey.

Charlie Roberts said in a suicide note that he hated God after the death of his first child. Faced with similar suffering…his mother has taken the opposite path. Her son cursed God; she trusts in prayer. Her son acted out his rage; she reaches out for reconciliation.

On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Link TV is devoted an entire day of special programming showcasing stories of forgiveness, growth and transformation including Beyond Belief and In Our Son’s Name.

“And I am impressed with our church members who, on the day after the break-in, were already talking about forgiving and moving on and how God could bring something good out of this.”

Rev. Ken Carter, District Superintendent of the Waynesville District in North Carolina, recently led a study of “The Journey: Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Restorative Justice” at the Western North Carolina United Methodist Women’s School of Christian Mission. He reflected on the experience on his blog.

BBC News covers the extraordinary act of forgiveness by Rais Bhuiyan, a Bangladeshi Muslim, who reached out to his attempted murderer on death row to forgive and plea for his clemency.

Here’s something we should already know if we have any familiarity with Jesus’ teachings: Christianity is built on forgiveness. It is fundamental to the faith, not a marginal, optional idea.