Happy Saturday!

Brite Divinity School sponsors a series of lectures throughout the year. They are called the Stalcup lectures.  I attended one before Christmas on the book of Job. Today I traveled to Granbury, Tx and attended a lecture led by the Dean of Brite, Dr. Joretta Marshall. She is a United Methodist Pastor and one of my professors from last semester. She led and taught on the topic of Forgiveness.  It was absolutely amazing. These lectures are for the laity, but anyone who desires may attend. In fact I shared a table with the president of Brite, a pastor and a Doctor of Ministry candidate. 

Prayer:  Lord, today is a new day, and my eyes and ears are open to You. The spirit of my heart seeks to understand what You are about to tell me regarding who I am in You. Amen.

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

Ephesians 1: 18

Today I became “enlightened” in learning so much about forgiveness.  I always thought I knew a lot about forgiveness, but today so much more about forgiveness became really clear.  Every religion and faith on the planet has tried to deal with suffering because of the atrocities of life. The Christian faith uses the path of forgiveness. “The antidote for shame is grace while the antidote for sin is forgiveness.” (Dr. Joretta Marshall) Forgiveness is one of the ways we become reconnected as individuals and as community.

Many new believers are often overwhelmed with what they are supposed to do for Christ before they are ever told who they are in Christ. We have the inheritance in Christ through His forgiveness that covers our past, present, and future.  We have full access to the entire storehouse of God in relationship without rules, religion or bondage. We are completely free and loved and redeemed and justified.  Jesus was not called to forgive while He was here on earth, but He was called to do the work of forgiveness. As Jesus hung on the cross He called to God, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23: 34) Jesus asked His Father to forgive these folks and then Jesus did this amazing thing; Jesus then stood in the gap for our sins when He said, “for they know not what they do.” Jesus pled our case before God for now and for always in His dying moments. Up until His dying breath Jesus was doing the work of forgiveness. Praise God for His forgiveness and for Jesus to plead our case before the Father.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni, Travis and Sarah.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God. 

Prayer request:  Tomorrow will be the first anniversary of Mom’s passing. We are gathering in Howe tomorrow to go to church with Dad and spend some time with him. Please continue to pray for Daddy and all of us as we remember Mom. Peace, gc