The Model of Healing and Newness from God - the Perfect Forgiver

I love early summer – the beauty of flowers, green grass, the brightness of sunshine, longer days, shorter nights. Bbq’s, picnics, time on the deck.  And --- when I think of all these bright, fun, beautiful images – I find myself reflecting on the Giver of Life and newness and healing and cleanness (is that a word – cleanness?) – AND – what is it that keeps us from experiencing all of the above!  I then ponder forgiveness and the Forgiver – the picture of Perfect Forgiveness from the Perfect Forgiver.  How often does forgiveness become a stumbling block for us – either we do not ‘feel’ forgiven – or we are unwilling to forgive those whom we perceive as having ‘wronged us.’  So – we do not avail ourselves of all this beauty and newness! 

The absolute truth is – forgive is available for us.  Jesus forgives us – that is the story of an empty cross and an empty tomb; however, we often are not as quick to forgive ourselves or others. 

 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  Wrapped up in the subject of forgiveness is our ongoing struggle with shame, guilt, and God’s grace.  Often we do not understand the declaration from the Book of Romans – “There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  We condemn ourselves or others when God does neither. 

There are beautiful word pictures in the Old Testament of forgiveness.  Joseph, whom his brothers had sold into slavery, was able to declare to them in a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation – “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”   And then when he was reunited with his estranged brother Esau, Jacob declared, “For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.” 

According to Webster, forgiveness means “to cease to feel resentment against an offender; to give up resentment of or claim to requital for an insult or injury; to grant relief from a payment due on a debt.” 

Consider the definition again:  To cease to feel resentment….Against an offender….To give up resentment or claim….For an injury….To grant relief….From a payment due on a debt.

Choices matter!  Our choices matter!  And God gives us opportunity to choose to cease to resent another – a conscious choice!  From Hebrews we are reminded:  “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”  Bitterness defiles many – and the bitterness begins in our own heart.

In other words, forgiveness means to choose to willingly give up one’s legitimate rights for repayment – and one’s tools of punishment – both now and in the future.

A few lies people believe about forgiveness that keeps forgiveness at bay:

“I’ll just ignore the hurt and bitterness, and eventually it will go away.  When it doesn’t hurt anymore, it’ll be easier to forgive.”

“If I can get even, then I’ll feel better.  Maybe then I’ll be able to forgive.”

“They need to admit they were wrong.  I’ll forgive when and if they ask for forgiveness.”

Isn’t it amazing that we actually choose to ‘nurse a grudge’ and remain bound and critical and miserable rather than allow God to help us forgive and be forgiven?  But even more amazing is the opportunity we have to ask for forgiveness and then to actually forgive!

Why must we forgive? ---

To be free.

To break the cycle.

To begin the process of healing.

To receive his ‘cleanness!’

Because God commands it – see I John 1:9 at the beginning of this article.

What a perfect week to ponder forgiveness.  The first week of June – the promise of summer – the opportunity for newness.  Whether you are the forgiven or the forgiver (probably both) – newness, freedom, cleanness await you.  Forgive – and be forgiven!



Caring and Worship

Praise and Worship; Meditation in Worship; Prayer and Worship; Music and Worship; but Caring and Worship?  What could possibly tie Caring and Worship together?  For those who know the one true God…worship is what we do and who we are.  Wait a minute, though – if worship is what we do and who we are  -  then the doing and the being are integrally involved with our condition  … how we are, who we are, what our needs are.

Is it possible that in our worshipping we are not only being formed and transformed but in the transforming being cared for as well?

Let’s look at a few of the things that may be impacted when we worship – when we concentrate on who God really is – as Sovereign Lord, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Comforter, the Provider, the Keeper of our souls, the Worthy One, the One who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

In Psalm 27 the Lord addresses our fears:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?  When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear. Though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”  These fears are extraneous – my confidence and my solution in the midst of adversaries, difficulties and struggles rests in the One who is worthy of my worship and praise.  In this Psalm, God gives implicit assurance of His presence.  When we seek Him in Worship, He promises that we will find Him – One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek;  That I may dwell in the house of the Lord and to seek him in his temple

He promises safety in times of trouble:

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.  He lifts me up when I am struggling with those around me: Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; At his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.  My heart says of you, Seek his face!  Your face, Lord, I will seek.

When I feel alone:

I need not hide my face from Him.  He will not turn His servant away in anger;  He has been my helper.  Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.  Though my father and mother forsake me,

He welcomes me into His presence with arms open wide.  The Lord will receive me.  Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.  I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

In Psalm 34 I learn how to worship and discover that He hears me:

I will extol the Lord at all times.  His praise will always be on my lips.  My soul will boast in the Lord; Let the afflicted hear and rejoice.  Glorify the Lord with me, Let us exalt His name together.  He delivers me from fear and shame.   I sought the Lord, and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; Their faces are never covered with shame.  This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles

He brings deliverance:

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him; And he delivers them. He is a place of safety and goodness and refuge. Taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  Fear the Lord you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 

He keeps me from evil:

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.  Turn from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.

He is close to all the brokenhearted:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  A righteous man may have many troubles, But the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

The Lord redeems:

No one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.  In Psalm 46 He keeps us through calamity:  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way And the mountains fall into the heart of the sea - Though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

His is a place of peace:

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.  The Lord Almighty is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress. Come see the works of the Lord, The desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth, He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire.  Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  The Lord Almighty is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress.

Deliverance from fears; safety in trouble; companionship when I am lonely; deliverance from evil; His presence when I am brokenhearted; redemption; peace He is the loving God, the provider of all that I need and He is worthy of all my worship and praise!



The Pain – Emotional and Spiritual – of Terminal Illness

Part of living is coming to grips with death – our own and those around us.  I am in the unique, privileged position of walking beside those who are dying, along with their family and friends.  Sometimes I do not become involved until receiving a call from a family member or close friend asking for help in planning a funeral.  However, there are many times I am indeed privileged to walk with the patient and their loved ones through the dying process.  I have recently spent time with a very courageous couple who are daily facing her impending death, and doing so with grace, dignity, pain, suffering, humor, faith, and hope.  I watch him care for her with tenderness, and I’m sure behind-the-scenes grief and frustration.  I watch her exhibit the grace to receive in the midst of her failing health.   

I am reminded of the passage in II Corinthians that describes them so well:

“Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  Part of the pain of dying is the wasting away of our bodies, and this passage reminds us of the hope of Heaven, the promise of renewal and the confidence of eternity.

Often we shy away from discussing the practical, ‘nitty gritty’ pieces of the dying process.

Here are a few ‘special problems’ the family and patient may have to deal with:

>  Progressive physical decline - and the emotions that are integral.

>  Numerous remissions and relapses and the psychological reactions that arise with

    each.

>  Long periods of uncertainty and fear and pain.

>  Dilemmas about treatment choices.

>  Intensive treatment regimens and their side effects.

>  Pre and post-treatment anxiety.  (What next?  Or...knowing what to expect and

    dreading it!)

>  Lengthened periods of anticipatory grief (the continual ups and downs - the emotional

    roller-coaster ride for patient and family.)

>  Increased financial, spiritual, social, physical, and emotional pressures.

>  Choices surrounding hospice care.

>  Loneliness, for both the patient facing this final journey and for the family anticipating 

    separation.

>  The need to be able to talk and to be assured that someone will listen to your story,

    whether you are the patient or the family or friends.

>  End-of-life issues, such as family discussions about discontinuance of life support. 

    Special note:  If a family has never openly discussed these issues, their trauma will be

    multiplied and amplified.

We can only imagine what awaits us.  May God grant us the privilege of ‘imagining with others’ what lies ahead and being used by Him during this final journey.

*For more on ministering during the final journey, I invite you to look at blog posts - August 30, 2010 - and August 23, 2010.

New Beginnings

“God is a God of new beginnings…” you’ve heard me say that before.  I have not written a blog for way too long – in fact, when I looked at the date of my last writing, I couldn’t believe it had been that long. To say that time has gotten away from me is a true statement and yet, I feel like the timing is good for me to begin again.

New year; new beginning.  Right?  There are many things that begin anew in a new year – new taxes, new calendar, new semester in school, new weight loss program, new resolutions, new classes, opportunity for a fresh start.  It’s the time of year we begin thinking of cleaning house – out with the old; in with the new.  In fact, I am a proponent of “When in doubt, throw it out!” 

Though pre-holiday time is one when many struggle with loneliness and depression (thinking they will yet again go through a very lonely holiday season), post-holiday time can also be one of struggle, particularly as we head into spring.  The New Year and promise of spring is supposed to be a time of newness and possibilities – new growth, birds singing, bulbs sprouting.  BUT … what if everything appears the same in your life –

• You are STILL out of work
• Singleness is STILL an issue you struggle with
• Your husband told you during the holidays that he did not want to be married to you anymore
• You and your wife made it through another holiday, barely holding it together without fighting in front of the kids
• You are STILL holding on to the anger you felt before the turn of the calendar year
• Your teenage son is STILL rebellious
• Your hearing is STILL diminishing
• The hip replacement surgery is STILL looming
• You STILL have to help your aging parent see that they need to move out of their home
• You are STILL struggling with infertility
• Finances are STILL tight – in fact, the situation is worse because you charged Christmas gifts to your credit card

It is into this life that Jesus came - for you and for me.  He came to make all things new … not to take us out of our difficulties and joblessness and pain and suffering … but in the midst of those things that are STILL happening in our lives, to give us a new beginning WHILE in the midst of it all.  Right here, right now!

He wants to give us fresh eyes, an alternative perspective in our recognition that He is with us; that He will never leave us nor forsake us; that “In this world you WILL have suffering; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”  He wants us to understand that He is a redeeming God and can bring wholeness and newness out of broken pieces.  I definitely don’t have it all figured out.  I struggle, too.  I deal with disappointments as well.  I definitely don’t always understand God’s ways.  I hurt like you, but I am confident of this -- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies are new every morning, Great is His faithfulness.”  God is a God of new beginnings!



Barb's "Top Ten!"

As I was giving a couple of workshops last week, it occurred to me that a helpful blog post might be the following: 

My “TOP TEN!” in ministering to those who are hurting.

> First of all, I have learned that being in someone’s pain with them involves ‘being all there.’  God uses theory and practice, but God uses ME and God uses YOU!  God wants me to listen to Him on the spot – to be available, to be used, and to be ministered TO all at the same time.  I can do nothing on my own without His using me; however, “I can do ALL things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

> I have learned that I need to respect the dignity of those who come through my doors or over my phone line for help, even those who may be difficult or may ‘push my buttons’.  I need to have a spirit of discernment – “wise as a serpent; gentle as a dove,” and to be non-judgmental.  I may not agree, but they are still in pain and in need of a ‘listener.’

> I have learned the importance of having a view from another’s eyes.  While a baby baptism may for those involved be a joyous occasion, there may be those in attendance for whom it is extremely painful…those struggling with their singleness or their infertility…those who would love to be, but never will be, parents or grandparents.

> I have learned that as much as I might wish it, I cannot take away another’s pain, nor can I fix the problem, but I CAN help to bear the burdens of that one.  This is what I am called to do – “Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

> I have learned to listen and that my example or my story which may at the time seem relevant to me, may actually be a deterrent.  What really matters is THEIR story and their need to tell it and to have someone really listen so they can tell it often.

> I have come to appreciate that silence is precious; words need to be guarded carefully.  Sometimes incessant talking and inappropriate humor can be an irritant.  Whose needs am I meeting – mine or the one for whom I am caring?

> I have learned that sometimes I need to be bold in giving care.  I need to have the freedom to ask the delicate, ‘uncomfortable’ questions.  Perhaps God will use me to ask, “Are you afraid?”  “Are you struggling?”  “Was it hurtful?”

> I have learned that I don’t know everything, and therefore, I strongly believe in the value and beauty of team and corporate wisdom.  I don’t always have to have an answer or give my opinion.  Sometimes the greatest care I can give is to find out what wisdom someone else might have to share in this particular situation.

> I have learned the beauty of “weeping with those who weep”, and “laughing (or rejoicing) with those who laugh,” and that God uses the comfort I have received to comfort another.

> I have learned that grief takes as long as it takes, is a process rather than a destination, and I dare not put another on my time table for healing – and that the ‘death bed is a very holy place’ for the believer but for the one who doesn’t have the assurance of going to be with Jesus, it may be terrifying for the dying person or their family.

DO NOT EVER FORGET – GOD USES PROGRAMS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE – BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, GOD USES YOU in caring for another…your servant heart, your uniqueness, guided by His Spirit…God uses YOU!  As He chooses to use us, He also equips us as ‘grace-givers.’  It is a privilege to be making decisions based upon what is best for the other  Philippians 2:3-4…”Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”