Thought for the Week

[InTheFlame]

The Real Lesson of Peter

 

[Abiel]

this is so relevant to the pastoral care situations I am currently involved in. If only people could feel it deep in their souls, the grace of God, who is mighty to forgive.

 

[InTheFlame]

You sound a little discouraged? It's sometimes hard to give these things to God and let HIM deal with them, isn't it? The results never come fast enough!

 

[Abiel]

It is true to say that in terms of the effectiveness of my ministry, I am going through a discouraging phase. You see, in the end, it doesnt matter how many bible verses I share, how many prayers are offered, people are still free to do stupid, ungodly stuff. And it is paining my greatly to see people having to struggle with the consequences that they were forewarned about. It is tiring to try to help people pick up the pieces of what were wholley avoidable situations, and where the only prayer that seems to make sense is 'Lord, please can I wake up and it be six months ago, so I can have another go at stopping people doing stupid stuff.' I feel a bit like Cassandra (do you know who I mean- the ancient oracle of Delphi whose curse what that she always prophesied correctly, but no one ever believed her)
Yet here's the thing. I understand that I cant make people behave in a biblical way. I understand that even God cant/doesnt make people behave right. I see that my bible is stuffed with warning, advice, rejection of Godly ways, and of people having to face the consequences. I know this ministry thing isnt about me. And yet, there we have it, I feel like a failure.

 

[Andy Broadley]

It might not be theologically sound, but theres and old saying which goes along the lines of 'You can lead 'oss to watter, but ye canna mek it drink'


Also reading through your post, I could almost hear God sighing and saying 'Tell me about it Tracy, I know exactly what you mean. And I've got 6 biillion of the little blighters to care for.'

BTW- I thoiught Cassandrea was married to Rodney

 

[Abiel]

He said the same thing to me Andy- we will put that down as a word in due season.

 

[Andy Broadley]

One of those excrusiatingly 'wayside pulpit' thoughts has just occurred to me.

This thread is called thought for the week. The word week could just as easily be spelled with an ea as opposed to double e

 

[Abiel]

Excusiating- but true.

So thinking of Peter. The Lord exhorted him to forgive 70 times 7. What does forgiveness look like? Should we forgive and forget? Or are we allowed to remember, in order to protect ourselves from stuff.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Excusiating- but true.

So thinking of Peter. The Lord exhorted him to forgive 70 times 7. What does forgiveness look like? Should we forgive and forget? Or are we allowed to remember, in order to protect ourselves from stuff.

I don't recall Jesus ever saying "If a man strikes on one cheek, forgive him, but learn your lesson and dont go within striking distance again"

 

[elm0]

"Mud thrown is ground lost"

"Words should be weighed, not counted"

 

[Andy Broadley]

"You should send it in to the Readers Digest, they've got a page for people like you" - Arthur Dent (as in ThelateDentArthurDent)