Böcker av Andy (Edge Hill University UK) Smith

Scripture is littered with names and faces who were marginalized by society. Touched by shame, each partnered with a lie, led along by a cloud of resentment. Not much has changed.We don't have to live like this. Jesus proved it with actions far louder than words. Follow me on a journey of investigation and introspection as we take a look at these throwaways and celebrate how their worth was validated on the spot. His love will give you courage to be honest. His love will give you courage to be transparent. His love will give you courage to love yourself. That's when the change happens. When we let Him see us, then we will see them. Except they won't be them anymore. They'll be us. Revived. Shamelessly.

Life's disappointments can be a challenge to forgive. After my parent's deaths, I had to learn to forgive in order to move forward in my life. There is no Band-Aid for grief, loss, or offense. We'll have questions about the challenges we face in life, of course. The problem is not having a question. The problem is not that our question remains unanswered. The problem is that we expect, or even demand, resolution and find ourselves offended because of this apparent disconnect between what we thought we were getting and what life gave us. Jesus said offenses would come because expectations are a given. Hurt, loss, disappointment and offense are woven within the natural flow of relationship and commitment. As Jesus told the disciples of John, "Happy is the man that I can't offend." I don't think happiness comes because Jesus decides not to offend us with His ways. I think the happiness happens when we acknowledge Jesus' teaching and, instead of trying to duck or deny the offense, we forgive and release it. Forgiveness. It's what I like to call The Eleventh Commandment.