Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The Freedom in Bankruptcy

Lately, my mind has been exercised on the subject of forgiveness. It strikes me that sometimes we forget that we even need to forgive when we feel very hurt. It is such a blind spot at times that if someone reminds of the need to forgive and the benefit to us if we do we feel the other person's actions are being condoned and we, the victim, are being attacked. I have had a lot of stuff happen to me yet seems that maybe it is easier to notice our need to forgive the "unforgivable" because of the pain it causes us than the little things that happen everyday. If we decide that some things are "unforgivable" how are we ever going to forgive the little things?


I believe the biggest reason for unforgiveness is not seeing ourselves in the light of the sacrifice of Jesus. We need to fully realize our depravity. I can not think of one sin I have not committed, no, not even one - from sins against God, against others, and against my own mind and body. If a person understand who they really are inside as well as how much God loves and forgives them, they will not be able to hold anything against someone else not matter how great the hurt. This is the reason why we can't be forgiven if we don't forgive. If we don't forgive, we don't feel our need and thus can't confess our sin and ask for forgiveness

I am not denying the difficulty of forgiveness at times, but God is able to help us when we understand the necessity of it and ask him to change our hearts. Knowing that we have nothing makes us free to receive the gifts of love, joy, and peace Jesus offers us, and life becomes a marvelous adventure.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

What God Brought In

Things have been exciting here lately. Firstly, I am encouraged that two men in their thirties are beginning to attend church with us. As much as we love seeing the growth in our older members, it feels good to have some fresh younger faces worshiping with us.

Our house has been empty of visiting kids and it was quiet, too quiet. Despite the fact that we had trust issues with the kids who were coming, it didn't feel right. But in the past two weeks, a completely different group has been coming. There are five girls and up to three of them have been here at a time. Sara, Abby, and Miriam are enjoying playing school and other games with them. It is so nice that my girls have friends again.

Yet, what I like best is that they have an interest in vegetables. Two nights ago I served alfafa sprouts and spinach to make sandwiches. J and K, who were with us, seemed to really like them. We had been given some alfafa seed to share and I had a couple sprouting kits to spare. I hadn't given any away yet, because I wasn't sure who would be the most interested. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. J and K are very excited to be growing their own sprouts now. They also asked to take some of the spinach home to show their parents. How could I say no? I am hoping to get some of the quality lids I have seen at Sproutpeople to give others interested in sprouting.

My girls have started us on a new project that I am hoping to spread in the village. It began with a sprouting garlic clove that Sara wanted to plant. Then they wanted to plant any seed they had. That got Warren interested in indoor gardening. Finally I got the gardening bug. I am hoping to grow snap beans, snow peas, carrots, collards, kale, lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. If we are successful, we will have viable gardening option to share with Selawik besides all the enjoyment our family will get from it.