The Web Site and Blog of Author and Pastor Chris Brauns
Deek Dubberly rightly points out that if you have never done this, then you need to give it a try. It’s good for the soul.
Without admitting whether or not I did this while I was writing, I will point out that there is a chapter in my book Unpacking Forgiveness with the title, “More than a feeling.”
Enjoy the tune, but don’t look back.
Note that this is a Saturday post and the category is “stupid stuff“:
Listen to this clip. It’s only 1:50 and you won’t be disappointed! It comes by way of the indefatigable Vitamin Z. Then read the below post. We’ll let you count this as part of your devotions for the day.
One of the chapters in Unpacking Forgiveness is, “To Drop, or Not to Drop.” Obviously there are some offenses per Matthew 18:15 ff where we must approach the other party. At the same time, Scripture tells us that love covers a multitude of sins.
So how do we decide when to drop it and when to confront it?
I suggest several criteria (more here) in Unpacking, one of which is, “How sure am I that I am right?”
Almost always, a conflict between two parties is complicated. Even if you were genuinely offended, right and wrong might not be immediately clear. You may be hurt that someone was rather curt about you being late for an appointment. And, maybe the other party was too direct. On the other hand, perhaps it was inconsiderate for you to be late.
In those instances where right and wrong are not clear, it is usually best to drop the matter. Love covers over a multitude of sins. A person’s wisdom gives him patience.
Two other observations are in order. First, if there truly is sin in the life of the other person and it is someone with whom you interact on an ongoing basis, then it will probably come up again. You can talk about it at that time. Second, if you always—or almost always—think you are right, then you have a pride problem.
Credit to James Jeffery, Unpublished Lecture on When to Confront
Jamie is the heroine of this post.
Since I have now sojourned this earth considerably longer than Israel was in the wilderness, I am qualified to dispense advice.
(1) If you ever get up to preach in front of a large group of people, in a metropolitan area quite a distance from home, and if you have a large set of car keys, then set them down before you go up, lest, they make a large bulge in your pocket. Or, worse yet, you jingle them absent mindedly and distract the audience.
Most of you wouldn’t know this, because you are not so wise in public speaking.
Fortunately, I am experienced and think of such things in advance of speaking, as I did on Thursday night.
(2) If you do set your keys down before you go up to speak, then put them somewhere they will be safe and where someone else will not grab them.
Most of you would have done this because you have developed beyond the intellectual age of an 8 year old. In contrast, while I have a somewhat sophisticated theology, I have the ability to keep track of things of a first grader and did not do this on Thursday night.
(3) If you do lose your keys after you speak, and you have to call your wife to drive a long distance to bring you keys (say to Milwaukee) late at night, then be sure you married a patient, godly woman who will not tell you to either hot wire the car or sleep on the street.
I did marry a wonderful wife.
So, I followed two of the three points. But, having gotten home very late, I am not sure that I agree with the assessment that “Two out of three ain’t bad.”
P.S. Another piece of advice would not to set your keys down anywhere near pastor’s wives – - who might pick up the keys thinking they are her husbands – - which is what happened, another pastor’s wife saw the keys and picked them up.
Even though I’ve previously posted this, a fair amount of flying in recent months necessitates that it be posted again.
I like, “Meat head resigns.” But, there are a lot to choose from (here).
HT: Jeremy Carr
Read endorsements for Unpacking Forgiveness here.
Click here to order Unpacking Forgiveness.
“. . . Chris Brauns has done a magnificent job in helping us understand the true nature of biblical forgiveness. Every Christian will profit from reading and applying this book.” Jerry Bridges.
“ . . . Unpacking Forgiveness is an engaging, convicting but emphatically encouraging treatment of this hugely important (and sometimes mindbogglingly challenging) part of life. Dr. Brauns writes from the standpoint of a faithful, wise, experienced and caring pastor . . .” Ligon Duncan, First Pres, Jackson, MS
A Brick in the Valley
