Archive for the 'Forgiveness' Category

The Way Up is Down

Published
by
Chris
on November 5, 2008
in Forgiveness
. 0 Comments

You can read Molly Friesen’s (of Peacemaker Ministries) interaction with a chapter of Unpacking Forgiveness here.  She writes:

I thought this whole chapter was excellent and challenging, but I wanted to close with what I thought was a particularly key point. Brauns points out that pride “is not limited to arrogance or cockiness; it is not just an inflated opinion of oneself. Pride is any way of putting self into the central focus” (81, emphasis mine). He then goes on to list some of the more subtle, insidious ways that pride manifests itself in our lives. See if you can claim to not get “trapped” somewhere (or everywhere!) in this list . . .

Read the rest here.

When You’re So Right You’re Wrong

Published
by
Chris
on November 2, 2008
in Forgiveness
. 3 Comments

There is such a thing as being so right that you’re wrong.  One of the most dangerous points in life is when you’re know that you’re right and you begin to really, really hold on to being right.

Let’s say that someone has offended you, and you know that you have been wronged.  Many of us have a tendency at those points to hold on or to blow the thing up.

Don’t do it.

One of the verses I talk about a lot in my book, Unpacking Forgiveness, is Proverbs 19:11. “A man’s wisdom gives him patience.  It’s to his glory to overlook an offense.”

There are times when the most glorious thing to do is not to hold stubbornly on to being right - - rather, let the matter go.

Of course, it takes the wisdom of Solomon to discern which times we need to stand on God’s principles, and which times we need to let go of a matter.  One of the areas I spend a lot of time on in my book, Unpacking Forgiveness is how to know when to pursue resolution of an offense, and when to simply let the matter go.

I wonder if there is someone listening right now who is about to really dig in about something at church, or home.  You’re sure that you’re right.  And, you probably are.  But, don’t insist on being right so vehemently that you end up being wrong.

Remember, a man’s wisdom gives him patience.  It’s to his glory to overlook an offense.  Love covers over a multitude of sins.

Knowing the Truth Audio Available

Published
by
Chris
on October 31, 2008
in Forgiveness
. 1 Comment

You can listen to Kevin Boling’s interview of me on his show, “Knowing the Truth,” here.

Interview on Knowing the Truth

Published
by
Chris
on October 30, 2008
in Forgiveness
. 4 Comments

I’ll be interviewed about Unpacking Forgiveness today (Thursday, October 30, 2008) at 12:00PM CST on the radio program, Knowing the Truth.

You can listen live online or listen to the program after it is archived.  UPDATE: You can now listen here.

People like Ravi Zacharias, J.I. Packer, and Jerry Bridges have been guests on this show.  I am thankful for the opportunity.

Here is information about the show taken from their web site:

The “Knowing The Truth” Radio Program, originates in Greenville, SC on a 50,000 watt station covering all of South Carolina, as well as parts of North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Additionally, the program is available nationally and internationally by means of a daily live webcast via the Internet.

The "Truth Mobile" hits the streets of Greenville

The program airs live on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00pm - 2:00pm on Christian Talk 660. During the program, you are invited to join the conversation by dialing 1-888-660-WLFJ(9535). Additionally, you can email your questions or comments to kevin@knowingthetruth.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Audio files (free MP3 downloads) of each of the programs are available in the “Audio” section of this website.

The program website currently (as of 9/1/08) has received over 500,000 pageviews. Additionally, 16,500 archived audio files have been downloaded from 30 different countries and all 50 states.

Read more here.

Will Your Pastor Go to Heaven?

Published
by
Chris
on October 26, 2008
in Forgiveness and Soteriology
. 0 Comments

Pastor Lance Ward interacts with a quote from Unpacking Forgiveness and reminds us how any of us can know God, pastors included.

Read it here.

How Bonhoeffer Defined Cheap Grace

Published
by
Chris
on October 21, 2008
in Forgiveness and Quotes
. 2 Comments

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A Vietnam Vet Reflects the Glory of Christ

Published
by
Chris
on October 21, 2008
in Forgiveness
. 1 Comment

One of the wonderful blessings of studying forgiveness is that I encounter so many stories of people who show the grace of Christ in their lives.

This morning, Cindy Swanson pointed me to article about evangelist Tim Lee and how he reflects Christ after losing both legs to a land mine in Vietnam.

Later this week, the Rev. Tim Lee will return to the place he lost his legs.

To a place that should conjure up bitter memories, a place you’d think he’d want to forget.

But it was 37 years ago that Mr. Lee stepped on that land mine in Vietnam – enough time, he said, to have healed not only physically but also spiritually.

His faith won’t let him be bitter.

G.J. McCARTHY/DMN

G.J. McCARTHY/DMN

“If I could find the man who set the land mine, I’d tell him I love him,” he said.

Read the whole thing here.

HT: Cindy Swanson

Radio Interview on Unpacking Forgiveness

Published
by
Chris
on October 19, 2008
in Forgiveness
. 0 Comments

Cindy Swanson recently interviewed me about Unpacking Forgiveness.

The interview will air tomorrow (Sunday morning, Oct 19) at 5:30 AM on 101QFL (live stream at http://www.101qfl.com) and at 9 PM the same night on Radio 91 (live stream at http://www.radio91.com)

Click here for Cindy’s blog.

Unpacking Forgiveness: Prayer, Winners, and Links

Published
by
Chris
on October 17, 2008
in Forgiveness
. 4 Comments

Misc updates regarding Unpacking Forgiveness –but, first, I want to give you one window into what our family prayer time looks like for this book.  A few nights ago when we were praying together as a family, our five year old Mary Beth, prayed earnestly that when we get to Heaven we will meet someone who understood salvation because of this book.

We really are praying that many will be encouraged — for God’s glory and our joy.   And, if we meet someone on the New Earth that has been encouraged, that it is really going to be cool.

You can read some of the specific ways I am praying here.  I’m a pastor, so prayer for local churches is always on my heart in a particular way.

*****************

The third and fourth winners in the Forgiveness Quiz book giveaway are:

Sarah Bjornstadt of California

Robert Hansel of North Carolina

*****************

Molly Friesen mentioned Unpacking Forgiveness earlier this week on the Route 5:9 blog (click here).  Molly has some helpful links about forgiveness.  And, given that the Route 5:9 blog is connected with Peacemakers, a group that has done some great work in equipping local churches to resolve conflicts biblically, it is a blog you will want to reading often.

Since Molly posted, two things have changed.  First, I sent a book off to Montana with instructions to find Molly.  (She had not yet seen a copy).

Second, Molly also mentioned that she hadn’t see a review of Unpacking Forgiveness yet.  There is at least one new review out there, and several other blogs have mentioned it one way or another.

Read Tim Challies review here.

Daryl Dash made initial comments here followed by a two part follow-up interview (Part I and Part II).

Tullian Tchividjian referenced Unpacking Forgiveness here.

Justin Taylor of Between Two Worlds posted an excerpt here.

And, there are at least three reviews now available on Amazon.

Chicago Forgiveness Questions at the Stillman Valley Royal Blue

Published
by
Chris
on October 16, 2008
in Forgiveness
. 0 Comments

It’s gray and raining in the Valley.  Jamie is busy, so I was on my own for lunch.  I went uptown to the Royal Blue (our restaurant in town), had a cup of farmer coffee, some bacon and eggs, and read the Chicago Tribune.

I estimate that half of our one thousand people are out of town working.  Things were pretty serene at the Blue.  I was able to concentrate on the paper.  Maybe, it’s just because I wrote a book on Forgiveness, but the paper seemed especially loaded today with forgiveness questions today.  I’ll bet any one of these could spark major debate amongst Christians.

  • A Waukegan grocery store clerk shot and killed a robber (see here)?  Is that okay? 
  • An article (click here) on confessed terrorist Bill Ayers pays tribute to Ayers, “Keeping His Head Down.”  For his part, Ayers says there is no point in rehashing the subject.  Should Ayers be forgiven?
  • Ohio resident Richard Cooey was executed yesterday for murdering two college students (see here).  Cooey attempted to have his execution delayed on the grounds his weight problems would make it difficult for prison staff to find suitable veins.  How does capital punishment fit with a Christian theology of forgiveness?  Is it wrong to suggest that the mothers of the victims be allowed to help find the vein?
  • In Germany, authorities continue to track down Nazi war criminals (see here).  Should dying Nazis still be prosecuted?  Should Nazis be forgiven?  How does being indignant with Nazis fit with being indignant about abortion?

Thoughts?