Comments on: Unpacking Forgiveness Reviewed http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/ The Web Site and Blog of Pastor Chris Brauns Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:03:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jamie Brauns http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1171 Jamie Brauns Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:49:09 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1171 I think this is a really good book I think this is a really good book

]]> By: Chris http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1168 Chris Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:39:32 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1168 Corrine, I am thankful to hear that Unpacking Forgiveness may be of help. Do let me know what you think after you get it. I enjoyed looking at your profile and web page. Thanks for stopping by. Corrine, I am thankful to hear that Unpacking Forgiveness may be of help.

Do let me know what you think after you get it.

I enjoyed looking at your profile and web page. Thanks for stopping by.

]]> By: Corinne http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1167 Corinne Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:08:10 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1167 Only minutes ago did I read the review of your book on the Pyromaniacs website and am so grateful. I have struggled for YEARS with issues of forgiveness, something close to what Rachael is going through (at least I gather such from her description), and this was the first time my thoughts have really been confirmed. God has truly answered prayers just from the little I've read. I can't wait to buy and read the book. Only minutes ago did I read the review of your book on the Pyromaniacs website and am so grateful. I have struggled for YEARS with issues of forgiveness, something close to what Rachael is going through (at least I gather such from her description), and this was the first time my thoughts have really been confirmed. God has truly answered prayers just from the little I’ve read. I can’t wait to buy and read the book.

]]> By: Scott http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1165 Scott Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:22:15 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1165 Thank you, Chris. Your post was extremely helpful. I had read a shorter version of Abraham Piper's comments before. But the fuller version was a blessing. My wife and I have 6 kids ranging 19 to 2. I cannot imagine the heartache parents go through whose children walk away from God. Some time ago I saw a sermon online of Jim Cymbla sharing his testimony from Jack Hayford's pulpit about his own daughter's prodigal years and subsequent repentance. This is an all too common event. And, boy, it must hurt. Thank you, Chris. Your post was extremely helpful. I had read a shorter version of Abraham Piper’s comments before. But the fuller version was a blessing.

My wife and I have 6 kids ranging 19 to 2. I cannot imagine the heartache parents go through whose children walk away from God.

Some time ago I saw a sermon online of Jim Cymbla sharing his testimony from Jack Hayford’s pulpit about his own daughter’s prodigal years and subsequent repentance.

This is an all too common event. And, boy, it must hurt.

]]> By: Chris http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1164 Chris Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:11:57 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1164 Scott, I haven't commented on this one personally. I think it is an excellent question and one that we pastors encounter very frequently. I think I'll post on it. But, even then, it will be inadequate I am sure. Scott, I haven’t commented on this one personally. I think it is an excellent question and one that we pastors encounter very frequently. I think I’ll post on it. But, even then, it will be inadequate I am sure.

]]> By: Scott http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1163 Scott Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:02:45 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1163 I know this has probably been covered elsewhere, but can we unpack the role of godly parents who have grown children that have walked away from the Lord. A hypothetical (all too common one): college daughter chooses to cohabit with boyfriend. Gives ultimatum laced with bitterness. "Either you accept my lifestyle or have nothing to do with me." Is there a manner in which hurting parents may or should communicate the path to forgiveness? Should this be frequently repeated? Should estrangement be accepted? That is to say, if the daughter chooses to place unreasonable conditions on their relationship, should the parents find ways to stay connected (emails, calls, cards, and etc.)? How best can they show love, forgiveness, truth, holiness? Finally, what absolutes are essential in such an arrangement? I know this has probably been covered elsewhere, but can we unpack the role of godly parents who have grown children that have walked away from the Lord.

A hypothetical (all too common one): college daughter chooses to cohabit with boyfriend. Gives ultimatum laced with bitterness. “Either you accept my lifestyle or have nothing to do with me.”

Is there a manner in which hurting parents may or should communicate the path to forgiveness? Should this be frequently repeated? Should estrangement be accepted? That is to say, if the daughter chooses to place unreasonable conditions on their relationship, should the parents find ways to stay connected (emails, calls, cards, and etc.)? How best can they show love, forgiveness, truth, holiness?

Finally, what absolutes are essential in such an arrangement?

]]> By: Chris http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1162 Chris Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:15:25 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1162 No, not at all, you didn't come across as "overwrought." But, it's a good word in any case. I might look for a chance to use it in the next 48 hours . . . though hopefully not in describing myself. No, not at all, you didn’t come across as “overwrought.”

But, it’s a good word in any case. I might look for a chance to use it in the next 48 hours . . . though hopefully not in describing myself.

]]> By: Rachael Starke http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1161 Rachael Starke Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:39:42 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1161 Thank you, and apologies for the seeming, ahem, overwrought nature of all the italics. :) Thank you, and apologies for the seeming, ahem, overwrought nature of all the italics. :)

]]> By: Chris http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1160 Chris Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:50:14 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1160 Rachael, you're on the right track. Having done what you could do - - now give the matter to God and live at peace with all people so far as it depends on you (Rom 12:18). I do think there are a couple of sections in my book that God might use to encourage you. Rachael, you’re on the right track. Having done what you could do – - now give the matter to God and live at peace with all people so far as it depends on you (Rom 12:18).

I do think there are a couple of sections in my book that God might use to encourage you.

]]> By: Rachael Starke http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/comment-page-1/#comment-1159 Rachael Starke Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:43:03 +0000 http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2008/12/02/unpacking-forgiveness-reviewed/#comment-1159 Thank you so much for your interaction on Pyro, especially regarding the "mental gerbil wheel." My struggle with this is not when you are dealing with someone who <i>has</i> repented, but with one who <i>has not</i. I want to pursue and offer forgiveness, I long to give it, for God to grant her the gift of repentance, but my family member now threatens that even the mention of this will result in complete ostracism (because she denies all sin because "her conscience is clear). And so, almost every day, I wake up and every night fall asleep thinking of the situation, and wrestling over what I could say, and what awful thing she will say in return. And thus the wheel keeps spinning. Your words about focussing on Christ and His Word instead are no doubt applicable on this end too. I'm making special note to call my friend who has a copy of your book waiting for me to make sure to find me tomorrow at our Bible study so I get it right away. God bless you and this great work. Thank you so much for your interaction on Pyro, especially regarding the “mental gerbil wheel.” My struggle with this is not when you are dealing with someone who has repented, but with one who has not</i. I want to pursue and offer forgiveness, I long to give it, for God to grant her the gift of repentance, but my family member now threatens that even the mention of this will result in complete ostracism (because she denies all sin because “her conscience is clear). And so, almost every day, I wake up and every night fall asleep thinking of the situation, and wrestling over what I could say, and what awful thing she will say in return. And thus the wheel keeps spinning.

Your words about focussing on Christ and His Word instead are no doubt applicable on this end too. I’m making special note to call my friend who has a copy of your book waiting for me to make sure to find me tomorrow at our Bible study so I get it right away.

God bless you and this great work.

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