Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-04) from his book, Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe (p. 41). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Now this is an important distinction in how we view the proverbs.   Larry says, “Promises are absolute, especially God's. When he makes a promise, it's a done deal. You can take it to the bank. But a proverb is different. It's an observation about how life generally works. It tells us what usually happens, not what always happens.” He goes on, “The book of Proverbs is called Proverbs for good reason. It's comprised of God-breathed observations about life. But the observations are far from universal. The righteous aren't always honored. The wicked sometimes succeed. The diligent can lose it all, and the lazy can strike it rich.   The same goes for Solomon's encouraging words about children who are properly raised. It's a proverb, not a pr...

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-04) from his book, Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe (p. 37). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) It is really difficult for us to want to forgive a person who has really hurt us or who has been unjust in an action toward us.   As Larry says, “Forgiving is a big deal. It's not just for those who have done the little things that get us so worked up. It's for those who are responsible for the big stuff as well.”  And we need help to want to do it.    Larry suggest that a sin walk is a good way to help us get over the hump when we are hesitant to forgive.   But  what does he mean by a sin walk?   He says, “No, I don't mean a walk on the wild side. I mean a literal walk in the neighborhood or down by the beach during which I do my best to remember all my sins I can recall. And I mean all. I try to go back to the first brownie pilfered...

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-04) from his book, Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe   (p. 36). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. ( Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) We all understand this to be true but we also understand that it is in our own best interest to forgive.   It makes a difference in us spiritually, relationally and emotionally.   To not  forgive hurts us even more than the hurt by the other person.   But the problem is I don't want them to get away with it.   But as Larry says, “When we offer forgiveness to those who have no excuse-and for things most of the world would consider unforgivable-we become most like Jesus. That's when I turn to what I call the prayer of permission.” So what is the prayer of permission?   He goes on, “It's a prayer I pray when I have no desire or motivation to do what I know I should do. It's a simple prayer in which I give God permission to chang...