"I have discovered that most people who tell me that they cannot forgive a person who wronged them are handicapped by a mistaken understanding of what forgiving is." ~ Lewis Benedictus Smedes, 1922-2002, was a renowned Christian author, ethicist, and theologian in the Reformed tradition. He was a professor of theology and ethics for twenty-five years at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

You may have heard that sound yesterday. It was the exhale of air as peace returned to our little corner of the world. That's right. Lil Miss Biscuit got her grooming with all the trimming and now everyone can rest easy. It is now Thursday, August 21, 2025, and, we continue the journey here. I used to tell the leaders in the group I managed how they should breathe on a mirror now and then to see if they are still alive. Now, it may be time for me to follow that advice. They didn't care for that piece of motivational encouragement and I'm not too fond of it myself. Back to Lil Miss Biscuit, she is one funny little dog. She hates being left at the groomer. When they finish and I return she wants to punish me but she is conflicted because she is so glad to see me. She quickly overcomes her agitation, jumps up into my arms, and, all is forgotten. We could all learn a lesson from Lil Miss Biscuit. We could. We really could. It's not a slogan of live and let live. It's not a misappropriation of the verse from John chapter 8, "He who is without sin, let him throw the first stone." (my recollection of how it goes) No. Miss Biscuit forgives, forgets, and becomes in full fellowship without much ado. She does. Well, what about us? Do we hold on to stuff because we deserve to do it? Here's what thus says the Word of the Lord through the Apostle Paul, inspired by Holy Spirit God: "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." from the Holman Standard Bible. I read that and say okay, okay, and then I hit the forgiving one another, but, that's not as difficult to embrace as the standard or model given, forgive in the same way God forgave us in Christ. Really? You're kidding. Right? Nope. That's the admonition and the model, period. This may be the quiet BIGGIE that most of us are challenged by. Forgive as Christ forgave. I am first in line to know that far too often I hold onto a perceived slight or grudge. I'm good at it. Shame on me. How do we deal with it? Only with God's provision through His Holy Spirit. Okay. I've done enough preaching to myself, but, I will close with this: I'm not asking for one penny, no, not one. But, please send one thin dime to cover the weight of the postal money order. (Loose quote from an old vinyl record with a comedic bit on radio preachers by Dave Gardner.)

 

I needed to be concise today and I did intend that because we have old people choir practice later this morning. I know. They named it Legacy Choir to take the edge off , but, when I observe the gathering, sometimes fifty or more, it looks like a cotton field in bloom to me. As that first paragraph shows, I tend to get a little wound up from time to time, but, as the song says it's my party and I'll cry if I want to, well, it's my blog and I'll throw run on sentences out there as long as I want to. Just joking. And, thanks so much for those who take the time to read my daily visits. I get feedback and most of it is very positive. I do have residing here on these premises a type of chief critic and she knows how to shuck the corn when it comes to evaluating my writings. Even most of her feedback is positive as well. I'm just messing around. Y'all, yep, that includes everyone, seek God first and then get out there and have a great rest of today. May He add His blessings. Amen.