Bill “Papa” Lee Posted July 15, 2018 Posted July 15, 2018 When we fail to forgive, we fail to live. We remain stuck in the past, and allow those who have harmed us (perceived or real) to continue to harm us. I thought that I might post something here, other than an announcement, a hard lesson I learned many years ago. A wonderful lesson that taught to me so much, and some wonderful words God revealed to me, and allowed me to write. At this time I share these words before I forget, and before they become cage liners at the bottom of some birdcage. So, click "see more", if you wish to read these comments, or can think of someone who may benefit from these words, to see what a loving God gave to one such as I... Forgive Forgive, The scripture seemed to read As I took another look. Forgive, The scripture clearly said Annoyed, I closed the book! "Forgive", The Spirit softly spoke Startled, I did fear. "Forgive", The Spirit louder spoke I pretended not to hear. "Forgive", The Savior said to me, I quickly questioned; Why? "Forgive", The Savior said again "For this I came to die. Then bitterly I cried out, How can Thou know my pain? The wounds that I have suffered, My tears that fell like rain? Then quietly he spoke my name, And said, "I understand". Reached out that he may lift me, With wounds in both His hands. Ashamed; I said how can I? He reminded me again, "For he who will not forgive, In him lies the greater sin"? Forgive, The scripture seemed to read As I took another look. Forgive, The scripture clearly said I now embraced the book. "Forgive", The Spirit softly spoke Now, I did not fear. "Forgive", The Spirit louder spoke Once deaf, I now can hear. "Forgive", The Savior said to me, "To you this I give". "Forgive", The Savior said again, "For this I came to live". William E Lee July 1996 Copyright 1996 I thank with all my heart for a loving and forgiving Mother, who seeing my need to forgive, asked me to pray and write this. When she asked, I retired to my childhood room, said a short prayer, and this poem came to me as was written in 10 minutes. True story! So, it is truly not my words, but the words and lesson of he who forgives all, who will repent and simply ask. 3
Tacenda Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Bill "Papa" Lee said: When we fail to forgive, we fail to live. We remain stuck in the past, and allow those who have harmed us (perceived or real) to continue to harm us. I thought that I might post something here, other than an announcement, a hard lesson I learned many years ago. A wonderful lesson that taught to me so much, and some wonderful words God revealed to me, and allowed me to write. At this time I share these words before I forget, and before they become cage liners at the bottom of some birdcage. So, click "see more", if you wish to read these comments, or can think of someone who may benefit from these words, to see what a loving God gave to one such as I... Forgive Forgive, The scripture seemed to read As I took another look. Forgive, The scripture clearly said Annoyed, I closed the book! "Forgive", The Spirit softly spoke Startled, I did fear. "Forgive", The Spirit louder spoke I pretended not to hear. "Forgive", The Savior said to me, I quickly questioned; Why? "Forgive", The Savior said again "For this I came to die. Then bitterly I cried out, How can Thou know my pain? The wounds that I have suffered, My tears that fell like rain? Then quietly he spoke my name, And said, "I understand". Reached out that he may lift me, With wounds in both His hands. Ashamed; I said how can I? He reminded me again, "For he who will not forgive, In him lies the greater sin"? Forgive, The scripture seemed to read As I took another look. Forgive, The scripture clearly said I now embraced the book. "Forgive", The Spirit softly spoke Now, I did not fear. "Forgive", The Spirit louder spoke Once deaf, I now can hear. "Forgive", The Savior said to me, "To you this I give". "Forgive", The Savior said again, "For this I came to live". William E Lee July 1996 Copyright 1996 I thank with all my heart for a loving and forgiving Mother, who seeing my need to forgive, asked me to pray and write this. When she asked, I retired to my childhood room, said a short prayer, and this poem came to me as was written in 10 minutes. True story! So, it is truly not my words, but the words and lesson of he who forgives all, who will repent and simply ask. Beautiful!! You're mother must have known you had this in you!!
Guest Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 10 minutes ago, Tacenda said: Beautiful!! You're mother must have known you had this in you!! Her suggestions and requests over the years inspired many poems. She was one of my greatest fans and muses. When someone was suffering, she would always seek me out, ask me to pray, and share my poetry. He most oft repeated advice, "pray and don't think too long about what God inspires you to write". It was always good advice.
Guest Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Stargazer said: Forgiving the unforgivable: I have listened to this many times, always inspiring!
Jeanne Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 Very beautiful poem Papa...when you can write like this..the heart speaks..and perhaps you have no idea the words written until the finished line. Beautiful. 1
Guest Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Jeanne said: Very beautiful poem Papa...when you can write like this..the heart speaks..and perhaps you have no idea the words written until the finished line. Beautiful. Thank You, I am reluctant to share too much. I do not want to seem proud or to boast. When my Mother asked me to write this she told me of a brother and sister (true siblings) who, although they attended the same one room Church had not spoken in 20 years. This was a true story, but she also knew that I needed to forgive my bio-father. So when she asked for it, it was on Saturday, then she told me, ,pray about it, and I would like to have it by tomorrow, but I can wait until next Sunday. I told her, Mama...I am not a poetry machine, her reply was, "no problem, you are a righteous man and you believe in pray. You can do this". So, I did. 1
Guest Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 2 hours ago, Tacenda said: Beautiful!! You're mother must have known you had this in you!! Thank You...rep point +1
Unaffiliated Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 The biggest thing Jesus Christ did was the Atonement, which was the forgiving of sins. We are trying to be like Jesus. We must forgive, even if it's hard. And holding grudges only muddies the spirit. There is such beautiful relief in forgiving others who have wronged us. And sometimes relationships can be mended and marriages saved.
Guest Posted July 18, 2018 Posted July 18, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Unaffiliated said: The biggest thing Jesus Christ did was the Atonement, which was the forgiving of sins. We are trying to be like Jesus. We must forgive, even if it's hard. And holding grudges only muddies the spirit. There is such beautiful relief in forgiving others who have wronged us. And sometimes relationships can be mended and marriages saved. So true, there is an old saying; "Half of the people we hate or won't forgive don't care, the other half don't know". When we don't forgiv we remain stuck in the past, or the very moment, with the hurt or the horror. Jesus came to forgive all, and to set us free from the bondage of that hurt or horror. Forgiving is not just a gift to those we forgive, but a gift too ourselves, setting us free at long last. Also forgiving someone who has harmed us, does not require us to give them access to harm us again, unless they have truly repented, fen then we should proceed with caution, if it is (or was) physical or sexual abuse as a child. I have learned to forgive quickly, because I too long to be forgiven. Because like most my sins and weaknesses are "legion". I am not a wicked man by Biblical standards, but I still loose my temper, struggle with anger far too often, and envy those who can still work, and like all men and women struggle to "varnish my thoughts unceasingly with virtue". This is why I rejoice at God's grace, and why in the eternities, I am hoping more for mercy, than for justice. Since I could never know and remember my every sin, I am going to throw myself on the mercy of the court, and rely on the promise of Christ's Atonement and Grace. For without it, I am lost! Due to injuries, health issues such as Diabities, Sarcordsis (don't know how to spell it) and a family history of heart problems (seeing a Physician for it right now), I don't think really old age is in the cards. So, more and more, Grace is foremost on my mind. Edited July 18, 2018 by Bill "Papa" Lee 2
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