Liz's Letters

Talking to a counselor and friend today, she made a comment regarding how most people view / understand forgiveness. I agree with her thought that most people, even Christians, don't really understand how to forgive. I know that I didn't. For many years, I thought I had forgiven people because I made the choice to. And I was told that the "feelings" would follow my decision. As a result, I have walked through many years of my life with unforgiveness and therefore, bitterness, holding me back from living life as God would have me live. I have spent the last three months studying and reading much about forgiveness. One of the most powerful books that I have read is The Gift of Forgiveness by Charles Stanley. I believed a lot of untrue things about forgiveness, much of which was taught to me by "the church", some I have witnessed, and some I have personally experienced from the receiving end of this non-biblical view of forgiveness. One biggie for me is the re...

God's new testament math specializes in addition and multiplication, not subtraction and division. I know, Father, according to Your word, that if I judge others, I too will be judged, With the same measure I use it, it will be measured to me. (Matt 7:1-2) When I want so badly to judge or condemn or refuse forgiveness to another, I can hear Your Word speak to my heart, saying, "If you are without sin, be the first to throw a stone at them." (John 8:7) Help me to speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful toward others. Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James:12-13) ~Beth Moore Praying God's Word Day by Day, February 1

It is the end of Mother's Day weekend...the weekend where this mom was expecting to be pampered and spoiled. For the most part, I was, but I forgot that I have a daughter who is 14. That means she is at the age where she believes the world revolves around her, a lot of the time. When my daughter first hit this phase of her life, I posted a blog about her. ( Having a Teenage Daughter.) It is still very much true about having a teenage daughter and I have heard that it can last until she is 18 years old or so. Oh, I need prayer. Saturday night my husband and I went out and our daughter went to the mall with some friends. She had shopped for my Mother's Day gift and was so excited that she waited only until midnight to present me with a pair of beautiful tri-colored hoop earrings. They are beautiful and I really love them. But something happened on Mother's Day afternoon and my excited daughter became angry with me. She decided that I was undeserving of those earr...