Hearts Unfold Like Flowers

Spring has sprung and we are enjoying the lovely blossoms. Singing Joyful, Joyful this morning in our devotions, I had fresh appreciation for the words, "Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee." God's loveliness opens our hearts and changes us.

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!

Redemptive Forgiveness

Recently I've been thinking about forgiveness. In community there are many opportunities to practice forgiveness. Alec Brooks, who visits us from time to time, shared with us this last week on this very topic. His message was a blessing to us and confirms the things we were seeing about forgiveness. The main idea is that forgiveness is not a duty that devoted Christians must do, but a natural expression of a life of grace. The key is seeing everything in terms of relationships versus having a legal outlook.

Here are a few quotes from Alec's messages (they may not be exact quotes):

Forgiveness transforms people. If we treat forgiveness legally it's over in a moment. Forgiveness is not about getting the slate wiped cleaned, it's about transforming our relationships.

It's never about spiritual bookkeeping. It's about the grace of God which is personal and relational.

The primary image for forgiveness is manifesting and sharing redemptive grace. Grace is about intended well-being for the other. To forgive someone is to intend them good. The grace I've received I extend to you.

Forgiveness takes the person seriously and values the person. It says that I want to be in relation to you and I'm willing to pay the cost so our relationship can be restored.

You can download and listen to his messages here:

Forgiveness part 1
Forgiveness part 2
Forgiveness part 3

Welcome Hannah

We're blessed to have a new member of our community, Hannah Robinson Poat. Sam & Kelcy's bundle of joy came into the world on February 29, 2008 (a leap year baby!) at 5:29 a.m. At 7 lbs 1 oz. and 20 1/2 inches she greeted the world in good health and instantly became the delight of all the community.

Forgiveness

What is forgiveness? I always kind of had the thought that forgiveness was what you did when you were wronged, a duty you owed people because you're a Christian. But now I see that forgiveness is nothing more than a side-effect of a choice to not conduct my relationships in a legal fashion, to not relate to people in a rights and duties posture. Forgiveness just is an expression of living generously and going for communion rather than contract in my relationships.

Seeing the gospel through a relationship lens, rather than a legal one, changes everything. Sin is a relational problem not a legal one. Community is at the heart of God and is the focus of the Kingdom message. The liberty that salvation brings means genuine communion. Forgiveness is the healing mechanism between Kingdom citizens when relationships are broken. Because we no longer relate to others out of a concern that our account remains balanced, we are free to pardon any transgressions against us since union is our goal.

Forgiveness is the sometimes difficult, but reasonable (and even joyful) response to an injury for someone seeking to live out the Kingdom vision.