Whoa!

The past week has been fun and tiring. I picked up our new puppy,
Lizzie, last Thursday. The kids went wild about her, and she about
them. The vet found a couple of problems, but medication should
clear those up. We feel like new parents in a way, taking the dog
out for potty breaks, feeding, discipline, etc. Thankfully, she is
smart and learning quickly.

You can see a picture of Lizzie here.

She is an Australian Shepherd, tri-color.

We found ourselves for the first time ever watching the Westminster
Dog Show on cable. Some of it was interesting, most of it was
boring. Anyway, an Aussie won the “Herding Dog” category, which
gave us a little pride.

Below: Link to Scripture Board Video and Pictures

*****
I published the following article in another newsletter. It
received a good response. Let me know what you think.

Indiscriminate Forgiveness?

Many people, including Christians, believe that we are obligated to
forgive someone whenever they commit a sin. For instance, if a man
steals $500 from me, is arrested and put on trial, many believe I
should go ahead and forgive him. Some see this as the noble thing
to do; something that will help me. However, there is no biblical
basis for this type of thinking.

The Bible does teach we are to forgive others, but the forgiveness
has conditions attached to it. The person who committed the sin
must seek forgiveness. Jesus said, “Take heed to yourselves. If
your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents,
forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and
seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,' you shall
forgive him” (Lk. 17:3, 4). There is no choice here.

What happens when that same person does not repent and seek
forgiveness? Are we obligated to forgive anyway? No. We are under
no greater obligation than God. Paul wrote, “…forgiving one
another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32). He will
forgive us after we repent (Acts 8:22-24).

If we are authorized or even compelled to forgive someone before he
or she repents, what does that do to church discipline? The person
from whom a church withdraws is to be forgiven only after that
person repents (1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:6-11; 7:8-11). Forgiveness
before the point of repentance would make the entire process a
futile exercise in chaos.

Further, consider the scenario Jesus gives us in Matthew 18:15-17.
One brother sins against another. If a one-on-one conversation
brings repentance from the sinner, then the issue is solved.
However, if the one in the wrong does not make correction, then the
offended brother does not forgive him; he takes the next step to
bring repentance. The principle laid down is that forgiveness, and
thus reconciliation, is extended when the sinner repents, not
before.

Christians need to hold people accountable for their actions.
Sinners need to know they are sinners and we do not accept them in
that condition. If they have personally sinned against us and/or
the church, they need to feel the burden of their sin. Our desire
for peace or to simply not deal with the problem will not solve the
issue. Too, God does not approve of us brushing aside sin in the
absence of repentance; something that may endanger our souls.

*****

As you know, I am giving away certain prizes in a type of
“sweepstakes” to three people on this list. I personally think the
prizes are pretty neat and appeal to a wide range of folks.

One of the types of prizes is what I call “Scripture Boards.” They
are hand-crafted boards made by Dana Rush. She is a member of the
church where I preach. Dana is conscientious in making these
boards. She sells a number of them at a shop on main street here in
town. They are quite popular.

You can see a quick video here

Or if you prefer pictures

Go here

All the best,

Steven