Proverbs 31:28a “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; “

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL MOTHERS!

For all you friends and family that are interested in our lives, I apologize for not updating my blog for a LONG time!  Time sure does get away quickly.  Every so often, I’ve been reminded, that my blog hasn’t been updated.  So sit back…relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea…you’ll be here a while 

So let’s see….where do I begin?  Much has happened since I last wrote.  I found out I have kidney stones one Saturday night as I ended up in the ER due to extreme pain; so not fun!  That ER visit lasted 5 hours!!  The boys were concerned, so they came with my dh and waited for 5 hours in the waiting room.  I felt bad for them, but at the same time I felt blessed to have teenage boys so concerned for their mother that waiting for 5 hours to make sure she was alright, was ok with them.  I have been to a specialist who wants to see if the stone, that is up in the top of the kidney that is bothering me, will move down on it’s own.  I had much pain for 2 weeks after my ER visit, but this week I haven’t had any pain. PTL!  I found out last evening that my uncle just found out he had kidney stones also.  I truly feel for him!

Easter Sunday was a week after my episode in the ER.  We had a nice Resurrection Sunday.  We had a brunch just before service and that was well attended.  In service the little kids had a program and oh how cute they were.  The choir sang a medley of songs and I thought they did a very nice job.  My in laws joined us for the weekend and we had a wonderful ham dinner after church. It was nice that they were able to make it down for a visit.

My youngest son has been having very painful ear aches and infections since March.  This last Saturday, he was in moderate pain all day and come night, he was in so much pain, he ended up in the ER.  That visit, thank the Lord, only lasted 2 hours!  He began feeling better yesterday and is now only taking advil for pain instead of stronger pain med.  He has an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist in a couple weeks.  I’m thinking he might need his adenoids and/or tonsils out.  We will see. 

This last weekend we had our Ladies Missionary Fellowship once again, and we made lollypop flowers for the Mexican Fiesta at the end of the month.  We are having missionaries, that are going to Mexico, visiting with us at the end of the month.  We decided that this year instead of having a Mother/Daughter Banquet and a Father/Son banquet, that we would do this Mexican Fiesta.  This is something different and fun that we have never done before. We will have a piniata for the kids and I am sure that this will be a fun time for all.  I look forward to it, myself.

I am planning for my 20^th reunion next year.  It seems my head spins all the time thinking about this.  Our class hasn’t had a reunion yet, and I really would like to make this one special.  We will be having an adult night, then a family picnic the next day.  I am hoping that most, if not all, our classmates will be able to join us.  It’s a lot of work, but as with anything, it will be worth it in the end.

Oh, I almost forgot, my oldest son is now working at McDonalds!  In the last post, I told you he has a girlfriend and I thought that was bad  But now he is working!! My goodness time flies!  This fall he will be taking drivers ed.  Seems like yesterday that I was working at McD’s and going for my drivers license.  NO, I’m not getting old!!!   I found a quote by Toni Morrison that I thought summed it up for mothers.  “Grown don’t mean nothing to a mother.  A child is a child.  They get bigger, older….but grown? In my heart it don’t mean a thing .”

This week, I had a dentist appointment for the first time in 7 years!  I found a place here that does the sliding pay scale for people without insurance.  What a blessing that is!  I was told that I have good home care for my teeth and they were in good shape.  PTL!!!  The cleaning hurt, but that’s what one endures when they wait SO long!  The boys are finishing up taking their end of the year test today.  This is always a good measure, for me, on what they are learning,  I think the area they both have a hard time in is library skills (card catalog) and Science seems to be a week area.  We use a wonderful Science curriculum (Apologia) but they both hate Science.

This weekend, I have been invited to a girls night out and I am looking forward to that. I asked for a massage gift certificate for Mothers Day…I wonder if I’ll get it?  It really doesn’t matter to me what they get me, I have them and on the good days, what more could I ask for   Yes, even on the bad days, what more could I ask for!!!

So, that updates you on our family.  I feel like I wrote a book.  I hope you enjoyed reading, by now your coffee or tea should be gone   I close with this little poem about a blessed mother.  I dedicate this poem to my mother.  I love you mom!

Blessed is the Mother

…Who can hold onto her children while letting them go

Who puts a tranquil home ahead of an immaculate house

Who knows a kind act will be remembered longer than an easy word

Who really believes that prayer changes things

Whose faith in the future sweetens the present

Whose Bible never needs dusting

Whose sense of humor is alive and well.

 

I can't believe how long it has been since I have updated my blog!  Since joining facebook, that keeps me busy enough.  I haven't meant to neglect my blog, but guess I have.  So I am going to try to play catch up on our lives and hope it's of some interest to you!
The boys are doing well in school.  It is hard to believe that the school year is half over!  Our family went to Florida in February and what beautiful weather we had!  It was so nice and enjoyable.  I think that is the first year that it's been really nice weather the whole time there.  The boys did lots of swimming...I even did a little! When we arrived back in Maine, our luggage didn't arrive with us  I am so thankful that we had "necessities" and clothing in our carry ons, because we were staying overnight instead of driving 4 hours home at midnight.  Our luggage arrived the next night all in one piece!
Since arriving home, we had a BIG storm and we lost power for 2 1/2 days!  Needless to say it was NOT fun!  we woke up to no heat, very little water and no electricity.  Most of the first day I stayed in bed except to eat and go the bathroom  We all ended up going to bed at 8 pm because we were too cold to do anything.  Even sitting by the radio listening to "Talk Radio" wasn't fun anymore!!!  The next morning we woke up to 45 in the house and I told my dh that we had to leave the house for the day!  I went to a friends house in the next town who had power and took a shower and got ready and our family went shopping and out to eat.  When we got home a man from the church had brought over a generator because it was said that we might not get our power till the next day.  I had gone to fill up water at the friends house in the next town and when I got back and the man brought the generator, the power came on.  I don't remember being so happy about power!!!  After that incident we have decided to buy a generator and are in search of a good used one.  I don't want to ever go through that again.  Unfortunately, the power goes out alot here, but not always for 2 1/2 days!  Thank the Lord!!!!  It's amazing though how it messed up our week and how we just seemed to be out of sorts for the rest of the week.  That tells ya that we are very scheduled people!  Flexible to a  point
I have been handed the reigns of our Ladies Fellowship here and we are focusing on our missionaries and our community.  Today was our 2nd meeting, but a town meeting was going at the same time, so our attendance was low.  We made up fruit baskets for shut ins and had our devotional.  I am teaching on missions and what the Bible has to say about missions.  In all reality, the Bible is all about missions and has so much to say and examples to read of.  The last 2 studies have been good and next month we will be looking at Jonah.
Our afternoon services will be coming to an end the first Sunday of April as the daylight is longer.  We have had a good winter of lunch fellowships and afternoon services.  We aren't sure if we will go back to it in the fall, but will see what the people want.  Things are going well here and we are trusting God for great things as time goes on.
My oldest son has a girlfriend it seems so hard to believe that he is old enough!  I heard someone say that they wished teenagers came with owners manuals....that's for sure!!!    It's so hard sometimes to know what to do and what not to do and what to let them do and what not to let them do!  All we can do is our best and leave the rest to the Lord.  In some ways it's hard to let them go!  One son turned 15 in Feb. and the other turned 14 the first of March.  They are growing up fast! 
Well, I guess that updates you all, hope and pray all is well at your households and drop me a note sometime, I would love to hear from you!

Deuteronomy 6:7 "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

Verse for the Week for all you that have snow and cold

Proverbs 31:21 "She is not afraid of th snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet."

I can't believe how the time goes.  This must mean I am getting older, because the weeks just get shorter and shorter.  I remember when I was a kid thinking I would never be an adult   Now I look down the road at 50 and think, oh that isn't really that far away!!

So, I was reminded today through a letter that people do read my blog and it had been 2 weeks, so guess it's time to update  My husband had a good birthday, it actually seemed to last all week   The week kicked off with a surprise Birthday party at our lunch fellowship between services and then his birthday, he opened presents from the boys and I and had some calls from his family.  Then on Thursday, we went out to Chinese.  I believe by Friday, he had received all the cards/money and gifts that he was going to for his birthday.  It's hard to believe that he is 41

I guess I did make new years resolutions, and didn't really realize it.  One was to lose at least 15 pounds, but perferably 20.  I don't lose very fast at all and it can be very discouraging!  I started off with the cleansing diet. I think I might of told you of this in my last post.  I lost 4.4 pounds from that.  I then went on WW online and the first week, I gained .50 pounds and as of today, I lost 1 pound.  I have been following the plan to a T, and excersising 3-4x a week.  BUT, I do have to say I feel good!!!  So, I am going to keep plugging away and maybe, just maybe, it will come off sooner, than later.  I really would like 10 more pounds before Feb. 9th (FLORIDA)  My dh has cut back on his nightly chips and watching what he eats during the day and for him, well, in 1 week he has lost 6 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!  That always happens, but he is trying to encourage me and he knows that I am trying. The other was to finally after MANY years get my pictures from manilla envelopes (which are sorted) into albumns.  As I was going through these, they brought back alot of memories. 

Church is going well.  This last Sunday we had a snowstorm and my dh decided to still have church, but we were very, very low.   He did cancel for our afternoon service as it was getting worse.  It did finally stop around 4 or 5 pm.   We really would like to invest in a van to pick up kids.  Our Sunday School has always struggled and both my dh and I think that this could help it.  I am going to be taking up the Ladies Fellowship monthly meetings and we are going to focus on Missionaries.  Everything we do will have to do with missions.  If anyone who reads this has any ideas on what we could do, please let me know.  I think we are also going to do a study on taking care of our bodies for the Lord.  Many of the ladies that will be involved are into dieting or eating healthier.

Both my oldest son and my husband are now on facebook.  My dh is into it more than I thought he would be.  I set him up and he checks it and responds.  He has connected with a couple classmates and has enjoyed that.  My son has connected with some friends from the church we attended in the summer and he really likes that.  There aren't any teens at our church, so it is nice they can keep in contact with other Christian teens.  My youngest is playing basketball and he is pretty good at it.  He really likes playing.   sometimes, I think that is ALL he thinks about!  I'm glad he can do it.  They won't be playing in high school as the high school is 15-20 min. away and that's too far to truck back and forth for practices, games and such.  They have had their time in grade school and really have enjoyed being in sports.  I think it has been good for them overall. 

Well, seems like I updated on mostly everything.  I hope you had  a nice warm cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate while reading.  For us all that are in the cold, we sure do need warmth.  For you in the warmth, ENJOY!

Have a great week and drop us a note or make a comment.  We love hearing from you!

 Verse for the Week  

Psalms 90:4 " For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

As I was looking up verses that had "year" in them, I came across the one I posted for the week and thought how interesting.  I found the part "as a watch in the night" interesting because that is what alot of people did last night.  Many stayed up and watched the new year come in.  Then I think, how many of those people are watching for Christs' return?  The first part of the verse talks about how a 1000 years as but as yesterday.  It will be just as that in eternity.  What a thought!

Well, onto our lives here in the Chasse home  Always interesting, at least I think  Maybe you don't, but that's ok.  It definately is hard to believe that another year has passed and we are in 2009 already.  The older I get the faster time flies!  Soon I will be 37 and next week my dh will be 41!  My poor dh, he's had that bad head cold since Sunday afternoon.  He didn't work for 2 days, and it really is a good thing that he didn't have to, because he needed those 2 days to rest and get better.  Everyone around us is getting it.  The boys had it the last couple weeks and I will probably be next; although I am trying to avoid it by taking immune booster vitamins  I have had an off and on sore throat yesterday and today, but not bad.  It's been a lazy week since Christmas!  Monday, the boys and I went shopping, hoping to find deals on boots and coats and such, but not good enough deals yet.  Maybe towards the end of the month.  I did find cheap tickets to Florida, so our plan is to go in February.  Maybe we will get over the head colds before hand and not be sick there this year!

Both of the boys stayed up last night to watch the New Year in.  One made it until 2:45 and the other till 4 or 5.  My oldest is still in bed at 11:07  We let them do this one time a year, and it is a big deal to them.  I bought them crackers and cheese and a bottle of Coke and the Wii and tv entertained them.  Off and on I heard some wrestling, but overall they kept quiet.

I've been doing the Sacred Heart Medical Diet, to jump start me, for the last 3 days.  This is my 3rd day actually.  I'm not hungry, but insides aren't taking it too well.  If it wasn't for peppermint tea, I'd be more miserable than I am!  Yesterday was ALL veggies and that did my insides in.  Today is veggies and fruits and tomorrow, bananas and milk.  Each day you also eat a soup made of veggies.  The more soup you eat the more you lose, but I can't seem to eat alot of soup because of how it upsets my stomach!  I've lost 4 pounds thus far, but probably could lose more if I could eat more soup  I ate sooooo bad over Christmas, that maybe this is a SHOCK to my system If anyone is interested in this diet, let me know.  It is definately a healthy diet!

Today, I am going to clean and organize the school room.  It is kind of a disaster area and my dh keeps reminding me of it.  My desk is the worst!  It just seems to get away from me, but I have to get it all done before schooling starts on Monday.  We took from Dec. 24th to Jan 5th off.  Then we will have a vacation in February and that will be all the vacation time we get.  Our first half of the year ends Jan 14th.  My oldest will be starting Algebra 1/2 and Spanish for the 2nd half of the year. They both have done fairly good thus far.  I am praying the last half will be as good.

Well all, guess that updates you on our lives.  I hope and pray that you all have a wonderful New Year and that you will enjoy each day that the Lord gives you.  This could be the year of His return and what a glorious year that would be!!!

 

 Verse for the week

Is 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shouldter: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Councellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace"

My, how time has flown!  It is amazing that Christmas is a week from tomorrow.  Is everyone ready?  I just have a couple stocking stuffers to get and I will officially be done.  I will finish that up tomorrow as another lady and myself will be going shopping for a couple families that our church has decided to bless for Christmas. Last weekend a couple of the ladies from church and myself went overnight shopping and we had a really good time!  We had a snack attack about 11:30...good thing for vending machines!!  Diet begins right after Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have finished up my cooking as of today!  Now I will make up some tins for some people.  I sent out all my packages yesterday and almost croaked at the price of sending them, but the Lord has been good to us.   I enjoyed making up the goody boxes for my dh brothers and sisters, and my kids had bought their grandparents some gifts that they forgot to give them earlier.  I was glad I had some CBD boxes to put them in.  I'm glad I got them out yesterday, as it is snowing ALOT here today and I'm not going anywheres!

I am definately ready for school break.  This time of year, I get laxed and then I know that the boys aren't doing as much as they should be because I am so busy with everything else.  My oldest has started algebra and so far, so good.  I DEFINATELY understand it more now then I did at his age.  After Christmas we will be adding Geography to our classes and Spanish.  My youngest is playing basketball, and he's pretty good at it.  They were suppose to have a game last night but due to some scheduling conflict they didn't.  They haven't had a game yet, so I will be anxious to see him play in one.  He really enjoys it.

Our church name is changed to Steuben Baptist Church; you can check it out at www.steubenbaptist.webs.com   Friday night is our Christmas party, which are always fun!  I've got a new twist on the yankee swap. (not the left, right game either) We are also having a Christmas Eve Candle Light Service, and are praying that people will not forget the real meaning of Christmas and come and celebrate, reflect and give praise forJesus coming to this earth to save us.  I think of the song "Born to Die" and how true that is.  Jesus came to this earth knowing He would die for you and me.  Let's all remember the real reason for Christmas...JESUS

Well, this wraps it up for me, it has been a while since I wrote, but my thoughts are with you all during this wonderful time of year.  May each of your families have a wonderful, blessed Christmas!

 Verse for the week 1  Thessalonians 5:18

I"n Everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning  you."

WOW are the weeks flying by!  Thanksgiving came and went really fast.  We had my dh parents here and it was a really nice time.  One thing that was very special was that I had told everyone beforehand to think of 10 things they were thankful for.  After we ate, we sat around the table and each one told of the 10 things.  My father in law who has fought 4 cancers,(one in which they only gave him 6 months to live, 12 years ago) in the last 12 years became emotional when giving his thanks.  We all then had a tear in our eyes at how thankful we were to still have him here.  It was a special time!

Friday came and we headed out to do some "Black Friday" shopping.  We hit our destination at 7:30 but all the things I wanted (3 things) were gone!!  My mother in law and my boys had a good time and they found what they wanted.  I did get a Christmas present for my self that my dh will wrap and put under the tree  We then went to Chinese and the $1 tree (I got more there than anywheres) then headed home.  I had a headache so I layed down for an hour and felt much better.  Saturday, I worked and we took a break from leftover turkey "dishes" and had beans, hotdogs, potatoe salad, coleslaw and bisquits.  We had a good service on Sunday.  Our afternoon dinner was Chilli so I made a "turkey chilli"  My inlaws left Sunday after dinner and arrived home before dark.   They don't like driving in the dark, especially now that they had a little accident on the way home from prayer meeting last Wed.  Noone was hurt, just a bit shaken up.  No more driving at night! 

This week has flown by fast also.  I began it not feeling so well.  It was probably ALL the sugar I've been eating!  So Monday I took it easy as I had a headache pretty much all day.  My brother in law said that my thanksgiving was over that day, but I beg to differ with him.  Migraines aren't very fun, BUT I still am thankful for many other things  Tuesday, I did some cooking.  I tried a couple new candy recipes...not so greateatable, but not the best!  I guess I will stick to my old favorites...p.b cups, p.b fudge, choc. covered pretzels, peppermint patties, peppermint bark and whatever clusters

Tonight we voted on changing the name of the church from Steuben Union Church to Steuben Baptist Church.  We want to be distinctively Baptist and not have people question our "identity"  We never could tell them what "union" meant, but new we were Baptist.  Of course when it comes right down to it we are "Christian by conversion and Baptist by conviction" So this is a good thing.  I will be working on a website soon. Great things have been happening here for the Lord.  Two were saved a couple Sundays ago and people are growing.  We know that the Lord has more in store for this church as we move forward for Him.  We are also praise the Lord for what He is doing at our former pastorate in PA. The two churches merged together and the Lord is blessing so much that they are busting out of the walls.  We are so thankful for that and know that the Lord has great things in store for them also!

Tomorrow we are headed to some relatives and we look forward to that visit.  I've also got to get started on my Christmas letter and cards.  I ordered the boys pictures today, so I will get cards out next week.  Oh, we do have our tree up also.  It looks really nice, if I say so myself  So anyways, off for this week, will catch up next week.  Have a great week and come check my blog out again sometime.  Leave me a comment, so I know you take a look

VERSE OF THE WEEK

Psalms 111:2 "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein."

Yes, church is going good and God is blessing!  We have seen people use the alter the last couple Sundays, which is a blessing.  We've noticed growth in people and joy among us all.  This coming Sunday will kick off our afternoon services with a Thanksgiving dinner.  Everyone is excited about the change in service times, as this will help with any who don't like to drive at night, be able to worship.  What a blessing to see people excited, involved and moving ahead for the Lord.  I am organizing a ladies shopping trip, so that will be fun.

The weather here is getting a bit cold.  Yesterday, was our oldest dog, Spanky's, birthday I made a peanut butter cake from scratch.  It came out a bit heavy?  We all enjoyed it though with chocolate frosting. The dogs didn't have any frosting, as we have been told, they are not to have chocolate.  Rascals hot spot is healing.  He's been on 2 medicines for it.  He sure hates for us to rub the ointment on it.  My oldest son, had half of his toenail removed last Friday.  It was very gross   As I watched, I kept turing away, but turning back to see.  It was fascinating, but disgusting at the same time!  He is doing well with it.  He says it feels funny.  Today my youngest son has an eye dr. appointment then my oldest has one tomorrow.  If it's not one thing it's another!

Schooling has been going good.  I did some geometry with my oldest and took an extra week with it, but it really didn't sink in.  We decided to skip the 2nd half for a while and do something in math he likes.  He enjoys business math, so we are doing checking accounts.  We will return to the geometry, but really needed a break from it.  My youngest is doing some algebra and that's been no fun either.  If I could teach business math and no other math, we would be fine!   I know that when it is a struggle for me to do, it probably will be a struggle for them to do.  When oldest son does Algebra, I have a dvd to help, so hopefully that will be a plus.  Speaking of homeschooling, did anyone hear what Joy Baher stated on the "Veiw"?  I recieved an email that sent a clip from yesterdays show, but since my computer is dial up I didn't watch it.  According to the clip, it is said that she called homeschoolers "demented".  Those types of people are so ignorant.  If you have high speed, here is the clip http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Extraordinarily/620494 so go check it out.

Well, time to close, my oldest is at me to get off.  He says I have been on here all day, but I have been doing bills and this and that, here at my desk.  He'll get his turn, as he always does!  have a great week everyone!

 

 Verse for the week

1 Timothy 2:1, 2 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

 

So now the election is over and we, who didn’t vote for the president-elect, weren’t all that enthused.   Some were mad and some were sad.  I was not happy, but had to come to the point of ok, this is the way it is what can I do?  The Lord led me to the verse above that exhorts us to pray for those in authority.  Yes, we always try to remember to pray for our president, but we really need to be faithful in that, especially now.  So much In our world is going on and I don’t believe that our president-elect is ready and I don’t know enough about him, BUT I am exhorted, and so are you, to pray for him.  So, that is what I will do.  There are many areas of this next presidency that we, as Christians, will have to be diligent in our prayers.

I was impressed with Sarah Palin and am reading a book about her by Kaylene Johnson.   I was happy to read of her personal relationship with the Lord.  I had heard she was a Christian and it was nice to read some of the things she did as a teen, such as sign yearbooks with Bible verses and how she took her commitment to the Lord very serious.  I don’t know what the future holds for her, but she impressed me and I do believe that God can and will use her in a mighty way, one way or another.

The boys are back in full swing for schooling this week and I am getting real sick of “trying” to teach my oldest some geometry.  I don’t even remember this stuff that I am teaching him, and it hasn’t been easy to teach!  I’ll be glad when this weeks math is over because this geometry stuff will be over for a little while.  Next chapter is business math and I’m good at that and so is he; but then it’s back to some more geometry.  In the spring is algebra, and I think I like that better than the geometry!!

The boys have made out their Christmas lists.  There are some interesting things on their lists.  As they get older they get harder to buy for!  They’ve always been pretty content with whatever we have got them.  I know some kids who have to get what they want and everything they want or they are not happy.  I am thankful that my boys aren’t like that and that they appreciate what is given to them.

Tonight I cut the boys hair, my husbands hair and one of my dogs hair.  Poor Spanky’s cut didn’t come out so hot!! Tomorrow, I have to call the vet for my puppy, who has a hot spot on his face and it is oozing and he is scratching it.  I feel so bad for him, but I hope it’s not going to be costly, as this will be the fist visit to this vet.  I’m praying that it won’t be costly, but I can’t let it go any longer, as it seems to be getting bigger and he is scratching it a lot.

Well, this post has been long. I hope everyone is having a good week!  I hope you enjoyed coming by for a visit.  Please leave a post if you’ve read this, it is nice to see if anyone actually reads my posts.

 

 Verse for the Week

Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

I have so many thoughts going through my head as I write this blog entry.  So bear with me if I jumble them all together.  Things have been quiet around here since Saturday, as my boys stayed at my parents until they head to FL on Wednesday.  It was a last minute thing, but they were thrilled.   Today was a lazy day.  I had to type some stuff up for my dh, then I made some granola squares and a beef stew. 

I am really getting sick of the election stuff.  I am concerned, but know that the Lord already knows all about it and it’s just my moral and civic duty to go vote tomorrow.  I will be glad when it is over!  My oldest is right into the politics and having fun with it.  He amazes me sometimes at what he knows.  He scores highest on political science every year!

My dh gave a good message, as he usually does, yesterday.  Much has been on my mind today about the subject, and I have reflected back on his message and would like to share some, along with my thoughts with you.  He spoke on “forgiveness”. 

 If you think about it, it is a powerful word, and one that can either make you or break you.  While Jesus was on the cross, he said “father forgive them for they know not what they do”.  But how often do we find ourselves unforgiving?  I’ve always been one to be able to forgive pretty easy, but I have encountered many who have a very hard time with it.  It might take me a while to forget, but I honestly can say that I don’t have any un-forgiveness toward anyone.  I do find it so sad though that there are many Christians that harbor unforgiveness and they are in bondage.  I once thought that these people don’t even realize it, but I believe that they do, they just don’t want to admit it.  Admitting it, would mean that they would have to confess it and forgive and sometimes it’s easier to just act like it’s not there.  Have you ever met a person who has done something to you and you “thought” you forgave them, but then they did it again and maybe again.  Now this “thing” could be just something that bothered you, not really a big deal, but it bothered you.  So you keep “forgiving” but it keeps coming back and you get fed up and don’t trust that person anymore.  I am reminded of Matthew 18:21 and 22 “Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but seventy times seven.”  Hmmm….so does the Lord say not to trust that person anymore?  Does the Lord say only forgive them if they ask?  No, to both questions!  The Lord also says we are to forgive, because He forgave us.  Matthew 6:14, 15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  That’s pretty strong!  I think that if Christians would forgive and love others the way they should, so much more could be done for the Lord with the time we have left here on earth.  The unfortunate thing is that there is so much un-forgiveness among Christians that there is lack of love toward the brother or sister in the Lord, and the world sees that and wants no part of it.  Can you blame them?  I believe that this is exactly what Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 2:11 when he warns the Corinthian Church about not forgiving and comforting a brother that has gone astray.  He tells them they need to “lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices”  I wonder if we are ignorant of his devices, because it would seem that if we weren’t then we wouldn’t allow the unforgiveness and lack of love to infiltrate our lives and our churches.  I’ve heard “well, I just can’t”.  Let me tell you, YOU BETTER!  For your sake, for your brother or sister’s sake, for the Lords sake, forgive and forgive again and again and again….!  I don’t care if you don’t like someone’s personality or the way they do things.  If they are a brother or sister in the Lord, especially, you have a command to forgive and comfort, 2 Cor 2:5-11.  Too much of this is going on in churches and it is ruining the cause of Christ.   Love, doesn’t destroy.  Ephesians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, ESPECIALLY unto them who are of the household of faith.”  Let’s commit to doing more of that, and not let un-forgiveness eat away at all that the Lord wants for our lives and the church.  “Love covers a multitude of sins.” 

  When we fail the Lord, He forgives, comforts and restores.  What do we do when someone fails us.  Forgiveness go beyond, it comforts the person and restores them if need be "lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow."      2 Cor. 2:7  In closing, as I asked myself yesterday, I want you to ask yourself, “do I have any un-forgiveness?  Do I love my brothers and sisters in the Lord?  Am I taking the opportunity to “do good” to them?  Or am I harboring un-forgiveness that is causing me to tear them down?, am I loving?  What do I need to work on?” 

May we remember that if Jesus didn’t forgive us and love us, where would we be?