Attitude

 

Is God's Forgiveness Conditional

 REPENT ! ! !

Is God's forgiveness 

   conditioned on 

      our repentance? 

The moment BEFORE we repent, do They look towards us with fury, ready to destroy us should we not beg for forgiveness?

That's what I've always believed about God.

Or . . . do They see us as loved but lost sheep/coins, and They are willing to give everything, including Jesus’ very life, to rescue us from our darkness and distortion? 

Perhaps, They no longer count our sins against us, knowing that "sins" have their own consequences in our lives?

This is what Jesus seemed to show us about God, a reframe for me like it was for the first century religious leaders.

"God was in Christ, reconciling the whole world to Himself, NOT COUNTING men's sins against them." 2 Cor 5

The Prodigal Father also illustrates well that he wasn't holding the wayward son's sins against him, only longing for him to recognize his standing as a beloved son. In fact, he cut the son off in the middle of his rehearsed speech to hug him, welcome him, bless him and tell him about plans for the party. The son, hoping at best for servant status, found himself in the middle of LOVE's Wild Embrace.

It's God's kindness that leads us to change our mind about Them, and about ourselves.

When we finally come to trust Their Goodness, and rest inside Their Unconditional Love (with NO FEAR of Divine Punishment, I Jn 4), we might discover within us a sustaining, overcoming power over the deceptions leading us towards shame, insecurity, confusion and sin.

The Prodigal Father, Devan Jensen

How To Choose A Religion

"First, don't choose a religion because your friends like it, or the music is cool, or the ritual is moving, or the people are friendly, or the building is impressive, or the leader is charismatic. 

Rather, choose a religion because its teachings point beyond themselves toward the Truth no religion can own; 

because it's worldview rejects the dualism of saved and damned, chosen and not chosen, true believer and infidel, high caste and low; 

because it rises above tribe, caste, clan, race, ethnicity and nationalism; 

because it embraces rational thought and scientific inquiry without sacrificing poetry, imagination, and contemplative practice; 

because it celebrates equality among and between men and women; 

because it demonizes no one; because it honors nature and respects all life; 

because it works to heal this world rather than escape to some other; 

because it upholds the dignity of all beings, human and otherwise; 

because its clergy empower you rather than themselves; 

because it offers you practices that open your heart, unclench your fists, and uncloud your mind; 

and because its fundamental aim is to free you from isms and ideologies rather than stuff you into one. 

If you find such a religion, let me know."

By Rabbi Rami Shapiro

Sin or Son Conscious

 

Relentless Pursuit

 

God is With You

 

The Lords’ Prayer (Aramaic version)

Beloved Father, who fills all realms,

   may You be honoured in me.

      Let your divine rule come now,

         let Your will come true 

            in all the universe,

               in the heavens, 

                  and on earth.

Give us all that we need for each day, and

   untangle the knots of unforgiveness 

      that bind us within,

         as we also let go of 

            the guilt of others.

Let us not be lost in superficial things,

   but let us be free from that 

      which keeps us from our true purpose.

From You comes all rule, 

   the strength to act, and 

      the song that beautifies all.

   From Age to Age.

Amen.