Forgive 

 In the July issue of Readers Digest is very powerful article by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond TUTU titled "Why We Forgive".  He talks about his alcoholic abusive father and confesses that the process of forgiveness is very difficult.  Intellectually we are aware that those who hurt us are usually compensating for their own deep seated pain.  Spiritually we know that since we are all forgiven by our gracious God we are called to forgive others.  Still the pain is real, our emotions are raw and our pride gets in the way of our willingness to forgive.

"Without forgiveness we remain tethered to the person who harmed us.  We are bound with chains of bitterness, tied together, trapped.  Until we can forgive the person who harmed us, that person will hold the keys to our happiness; that person will be our jailor.  When we forgive, we take back control of our own fate and our feelings.   We become our own liberators.  Forgiveness, in other words, is the best form of self-interest.  This is true both spiritually and scientifically.  We don't forgive to help the other person.  We don't forgive for others.  We forgive for ourselves."   This is Archbishop TUTU's conclusion to "Why We Forgive".   

Intuitively I know this is true.  I have experienced the liberation of forgiveness.  Yet as I read this I ask: is forgiveness rooted in Christ or in self.   I am a sinner.  My sins were taken by Christ to the cross.  On the cross he looks at us and says.  "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34a)  We are forgiven through Christ.  St. Paul admonishes the Colossians "bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." I am forgiven therefore I forgive.  I can only forgive because Christ has forgiven me.  Because I have been forgiven I forgive. 

If I take what TUTU says that forgiveness liberates me from bondage, then I am set free through forgiveness.    Since, I am liberated by Christ why should I be enslaved by bitterness, hatred, rage and anger.   Carrying a grudge is heavy.  Seeking vengeance is an all-consuming passion that leads to my personal destruction.  When I am enslaved to sin I am not free to serve my Lord.

When I am forgiven I am set free from bondage to sin.  This is God's precious gift.  I deny this gift when I am unwilling to extend this gift to those who have sinned against me.   Ultimately it is about my relationship to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.    As God's forgiven and loved child I am set see to serve my neighbor in the name of Christ.

Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 17:3-4 - Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

Forgive

Kansas District Youth Gathering 2014

ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH!!!!

Want to get a taste of what the National Youth Gathering will be like in New Orleans?  Well, here is your chance to get a taste of what it's like but right here in Kansas.  If you are interested in having your son or daughter attend a Christian event like no other - contact us immediately to get our early bird registration costs and begin to fundraise - NOW!   You can reach us at: 913-837-5276 (leave us a message if we're not home) or at gmicough@hotmail.com   Once we know who is interested, we can begin to meet, coordinate, plan some fundraisers and get ready for a fun time in Topeka! 

When:  November 21-23, 2014 (Friday night - Sunday late morning)

Hotel Cost:  $91 per room (plus tax) per night.  Each room will

                 sleep up to four people. (This cost is split 4 ways.)
Theme: WEBECAUSEHE

Who can attend:  Youth in grades 9-12

Speaker: Rev. Travis Hartjen

Band:  Bread of Stone

Registration Cost:  Early - $95 per person begins Sept. 1          

                          Standard - $115 per person begins Oct. 1

Van/Suburban Rental? Cost dependent on # of kids going.  If we have a large # going we will need to rent a vehicle.  If not, we can probably manage in our own personal vehicles that seat 5 and 4 comfortably.

*Registration includes programing, workshops, and activities, gathering t-shirt and Saturday lunch, but NOT HOUSING.

*All youth registrations must be accompanied by a primary adult leader registration, maximum nine youth per adult.

*All other meals - plan on an average of $10 per meal (Friday night, Saturday morning (everyone bring something for breakfast to share), Saturday Evening, Sunday Morning (unless we get donations??), Sunday Lunch) = $50 per person

"You"th Group Garage Sale